The Adair County news. [volume] (Columbia, Ky.) 1897-1987, 1908-11-25
Let Us Reason Together.

Mr.. Editor
Observing that your columns are
open for the discussion of the Graded
School proposition, l shall venture a
word in its favor.
First: 1t is measure in perfect &C
cord with the genius of our Institutions
The very best educational provision for
the masses is the imperative demand of
Republic. 1t is for the greatest good
to the greatest number. 1t is an es-
tablished, well approved and successful
school method that is before our people
for their approval. Favorable action
can but result in enlarged enterprise,
improved citizenship and better morals.
Second: The discussion of this ques-
ton should be promptly divorced from
all sectarlan and partisan entangle-
ments. It stands apart from both, on
ly SO far as it is good ecclesiastical
policy and good politics to do the very
best thing for the community's greater
good. The measure should stand on it's
own merits. 1t would prove a calamity
indeed should the much unseasoned
talk regarding the Methodist and Pres
byterian schools result in strangling a
vital measure. which has for it's object
the broad foundation of providing a
chance for every boy and girl in the
community. The churches behind these
schools are too great and too unselfish
to whine at any temporary loss that
may be theirs. They also have the
ability to re-adjust their work to
changed conditions and successfully
pilot their schools. There will always
be place for the church school. Until
the church can offer universal and free
education to the community, it cannot
come into competitive position with
the state school. The Church school is
in another class.
Third: The plea is made that our COM
munity is too small for the financial
burden entailed by this measure OBJ
serve from the report of the Commits
sioner of Education for the u. S. that
majority of Kentucky's Graded
schools are in towns of less than two
thousand population and the valuation
of grounds and property, per school, in
some places, is as low as one thousand
dollars, and yet schools have been main
tanned creditably for years Do not be-
come frightened at the way the opposi
ton is piling up the figures. A shelter
must be provided and teachers must be
paid, but let real and genuine educa-
tional enthusiasm seize the community,
and these will prove the easiest bills
that are to be paid. while the returns
will prove the most satisfactory.
Fourth: The talk about the repeal of
the State School Law is of no weight in
the discussion. If there should be a
possibility of such repeal it would
strengthen the plea for graded school.
No changes in the state law will ever
be subversive to the interests of the
graded school. the best feature in the
graded school is that it gives the COM
munity a free hand in its management,
with state cooperation. Any other
character of state school must give to
the state free hand, with the coop
Grafton of the community. Which is
the more desirable, it is easy to see.
The state may, probably will, exclude
the Bible from its own High School. 1t
will make no such interference with the
graded school. The community will select
its wisest, safest and best men to manage
the shoots interests with no partisan
or ecclesiastical bias. True, the exist
ing law may be repealed, but he is no
prophet who does not perceive that
Kentucky is waking up from too long
slumber of Indifference to the education
of her citizens. Something has to be
done and herCically done. The most
radical educational measures are to be
expected from the Capitol.
Fifth: The heart of our people is
restless over existing conditions and
are demanding something better educa-
tionally. Should this step-in-advance
measure be killed by an appeal to pre-
JUDGE or by the skillful manipulations
of questionable tactics. it will occasion
disappointment, dissatisfaction and turn
back the hands of progress on the dial
of our splendid community. The tenn
porary sweets of a victory for the OPP
position would result ultimately in ir-
raparable less to Columbia's boys and
girls-the hope of the future glory of
the town. J. Russell Crawford.