The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1907-01-10
RETROSPECTIVE.

In just such times as there when
there is a general uneasiness it is
we'll to review the past conditions t.
see what progress We have made and
comparing past conditions with the
present note the vast improvement
made that we may be more contented
with our present lot and that we may
also biuld broader foundations for
future improvements to follow.
1t is not necessary to go back into
ancient history to make comparisons
with the present conditions to note the
wonderful changes made for each de-
cade now brings about new inventions
that are truely wonderful and amaz-
ing so that we have already reach
ed point where we no longer doubt
mans ability to accomplish anything
the mind conceives no matter how
chimerical it may be.
Within the scope of the present gen.
Grafton, improvements along all lines
have been so phent .ninal that one is
really dazed when he undertakes to
contemplate the possibilities of the
future. The most sordid mind, on
reflection, cannot fail to give smile
| of satisfaction as he looks around
him and sees the accomplishment of
man.
From the dingy little school room
with it's rows of home made desks
! against the wall where children crowd
ed past each other in going to and
from the classes; with its blackboard
of few square feet of painted pine
boards, it's chunks of chalk and home
made sheep-skin erasers, we have
| within the memory OF man come to
the modern school house, with its
gracefully curved and neatly manu-
featured individual school desks whiclD
can be bought at price much cheaper
than the old fashioned ones could be
made. The walls have now or should
all have the most approved slate, ma
tural or artificial SO that every child
may now, from the tiniest tot to the
most advanced pupil, have chance te
"go to the board" to do his Sums"
for the teachers inspection. The
modern dustless and noiseless erasers
and the manufactured crayon that
have taken place of the home made
equipments make it possible to do the
school work more neatly and accurate
ly. The present system of heating
and ventilating school rooms and
modern homes makes it possible for
all to enjoy pure air, comfort, and
health where such privileges were un-
known but few years ago. Is it any
wonder that the child of today is as
we'll informed as the man was but
generation ago? Surround by every
convenience, even to the luxuries, in
the modern school room with free text
books, free libraries, free pianos, good
wholesome environments the future
man must be product that so far
out strips the present man that
comparison would be out of the ques.
ton.
Who can doubt but what the future
has even richer promises of greater
things than at any period in the past
when we contemplate what is being
done for the improvement OF the mind
from which all good things come.
Nor are we content with improving
the human mind alone for we have
come to understand that even the
human mind grows stronger in tho
stronger body SO we are giving at.
tention to every detail for the i'm
provement Of the body as we'll.
Labor has been greatly lessened by
the use of modern machinery SO that
much more time may be given to mat,
ters of greater Importance than money
making. In many farm homes may be
found the daily newspaper only made
possible by the introduction of rural
free delivery Many farm homes are
supplied with the modern telephone
SO that there is always a quick and
direct communication with the city.
making it possible to obtain any in.
formation desired. making 1t possible