The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1908-01-07
Is Advocated in An Able Paper
by One of the county's Well
Known School Teachers.

soluatlon OF the County Schools, by
John c. Robinson. of craigmoor, one
Of the teachers OF this county. viii
attract wide attention throughout the
State, owing to the advanced grounds
taken therein in the matter OF a bet
ter system of education in West Vir-
ginia, and win awaken the leading
educators and others to serious
thought on the subject:
1t takes courage to strike out into
new fields on a mere conviction that
one can do certain thing or is fit
ted for 1t. 1t takes courage to get
out of ones beaten track and launch
into untried paths. no matter how
tempting they may be. II the new
field is more pretentions than the
one we are already in, and presents
more difficult problems and duties i'll
requires especial courage to make
the change. It takes courage to
start out even when one hears the
call; when there rs possibility OF
having to turn back ana be laughed
at or to receive singing criticism.
1t calls for moral courage and
strength of VIII and purpose to brave
criticism and ridicule and, risk of |
failure, but when one has discovered
his real bent there is no choice but
to make the change If he would do
his best in life. This is not only
true with every individual but In anil
matters of business or profession and
when ever It is observed that by max
ing change one can better his CON
dition or the condition of his business
the change should be made and the
sooner the better.
When we take into consideration
Contrast Between Schools.
the schools of the rural districts Of
today and observe the wonderful con-
trast between them and the city
schools or for that matter with some
of our independent schools found in
larger villages and at the same time
considering the material develop
ments in this an era of progress and
prosperity we are prone to believe
our rural schools are being grossly
neglected-too much attention is be-
ing paid to the city cousins or the
children of the rural districts are he
ing sadly forgotten.
But these children, the most yalu-
able asset of the State. SO longi
neglected and ignored, are slowly |
coming to be considered as human
beings with rights and privileges at
least equal to those of the city. This
with some other states has been dis
respectful and negligent step-mothers
to its country wards and 1t has been
found poor economy to neglect the
child, especially Its early training.
An innovation some ten years of
age or perhaps a little better in the
rural communities is attracting wide
attention on account OF its efficiency
and economy. The transportation OF
pupils from home to school has be-
come salient feature in the conduct
of rural schools in several states.
Our Plan Costly.
A group of children seldom ex-
ceeding thirty and frequently as few
as three has been furnished with
school house in which school was con-
ducted in which were found children
of all ages ranging from six to
twenty-one, and one teacher trying
to cover all the ground. 1t is dem
onstrated now that in place OF these
little one-room school houses several
miles apart, one commodious and
complete building can be erected
where classification can be made
close and a complete institution es-
tablished. Large vans or omnibuses
contrived for the purpose transfer the
pupils to and from school daily; all
this at less expense than the original
cost of the one-room school and to
the advantage of more ability, better
instruction and more comfortable
houses. In the suburbs of cities this
custom is obtaining prominence and
to a very great extent in the rural
and agricultural districts OF our great
western farming communities. I'll
is shown that the salary Of the
teacher added to the cost OF mainte-
nance of the small school exceeds the
cost OF transportation to a central
school. Homes situated four miles
from the school. house are accommo-
dated at decreased expense, increased
efficiency and better schooling for
the. Young members of the family. |
The reports Of the state superintend-
ents of Iowa. Wisconsin. Ohio and
Tennessee among others are sufficient
proof that the time for consolidation
OF schools is at hand.
TennesSee's Plan,