The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1908-08-20

H. - PSA SOAO' oAu
sne average daily attendance for.
ty per cent.
It's very remarkable fact that
throughout the state our best men
even though they may have no
children to educate, favor local
taxation for the establishment of
better schools. These men real
lie that child when educated be-
comes happier, a more useful and
a more valuable member of socie-
ty' They realize that money
spent Ill education is money saved
IN prosecutions, prisons and
courts. They know that what
they put in the schools comes out
IN the life of the people. They
have observed enough to see that
That the communities and states
which give most for education en-
Joy the greatest prosperity. Sta
tlstics show that the wealth pros
ducing power of a state is directly
proportional to it's educational ad-
vantages. The patent office at
Washington shows that the states
which expend the most on their
schools have made the most in
ventions. We must put more
originality and thinking power in :
to our children. One idea is Of
ten worth more than a plantation
If we are to cope with the coun-
ties Ill our state that have adopt
ed local taxation we must vote a
local tax il Cobb and thus bring
more prosperity to our county by
putting our schools in condition
to produce more originality, more
thinking power, more ideas, more
men.
Another very remarkable fact is
that in many instances where To-
cal taxation has been voted upon
in this state, there are a few men
who have no property to tax and
many children to educate, who
have voted against the measure.
Why they do this is a pozzling
question and | shall hot attempt
to explain. Our State School
Commissioner has offered prize
for the best explanation of the
conduct of such men.
wish to urge upon every voter
in this county the necessity of
considering this question. With
the county system of local taxa
tion and judicious consolidation
of schools our country schools
could be made as good as those
found anywhere. Better salaries
could be paid and better teachers
teachers who are in the work as
a profession and not as a stepping
stone to something else. Better
school houses could be built and
the old dilapidated shacks that we
have could be done away with. 1t
Is true that some communities in
the county have buildings that re.
fleet credit upon the communities
in which they stand. Others have
buildings that are unsightly, un.
comfortable and almost worthless
for any purpose Such buildings
are crushing to the child's natural
love for the beautiful and calcu.
lated to fill him with dislike fol
the school. If we expect children
to love the school and it's duties
we must make it bright and cheer
full. Our people will not patron
ize merchants who keep dirty
dingy, uncomfortable storehouses
nor will they accept accommoda
tion on box cars when they ride
on railroads; and yet when il
comes to the training of children
they are willing to risk theil
health, lives and character il
buildings that have little more
comfort or beauty than a barn OF
box car. Sending children tt
such schools will Eever bring then
into their rightful heritage. The
address of the State Superintend.
ents to the people Of the South il
dealing with the subject Gays
Surely the house in which this
sacred work of training the chill.
dren of the Republic for citizen,
ship and social service-a work
which has to do with the mind
the soul and body, with the
moulding of character and crea.
ton of ideals-should be place
worthy in all respects of such
work-a home, not a hoveI; 9
place of cleanness, not a place Of
uncleanness a place of beauty
not place of ugliness; place OF
comfort, not a place of discom.
fort" JAMES L. MCCLEsKEY,
Principal Culverton School, Han.
cock County, Ga.