Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-06-04
Concerning School Laws

Dear Household: 1t has rained two days, and
just want to jump up and holloa. On account
OF a throat affection / am forbidden to sing
and for the same reason, l have to stay In
doors in bad weather.
Pardon the allusion to my ailments l merely
want TO tell those similarly situated how l get
rid OF the blues. l just think Of pleasant
things and draw my own Imagination and
see things / want them to really be and
soon l find myself in fairyland with hearty
good will toward all creatures Just try 1t
tion VIII show you. Pure thoughts prepare us
to battle with serious things In life and one
agitating the minds OF the public at present
is the number Of illiterate children in the
state. and the indications are that the next
legislature will be asked consider a bill
for compulsory education. What good on earth
would such a law, could such a law do, with
the whole country flooded with incompetent
teachers? OF course, my knowledge does not
extend over a vast amount of territory, but re-
ports persuade to believe the conditions that
10 my certain knowledge do exist, are true in
other territories. ! will only speak OF four
rural schools that know of-srhools In
charge Of girls from sixteen to eighteen years
Of age. some Of them in short skirts, some have
license at all (hired by the county school
commissioner; others with the lowest grade
license. These girls have under their tutorship
about hundred and fifty pupils of the
fliterate number, and they are apt TO remain
iliterate l supported one Of this number five
weeks this year and my little boy had one
writing lesson the entire time, and 10 read
three verses each day his days work. No
spelling at ALL / sent my little boy mile
and a half across bad creek. with very
vicious at large in the neighborhood. My
little hoy being just seven years old, went
part of the way with him, when / could, and
trusted God for his safe return. The teacher
opened school anywhere from 9 o'clock TO II.
decided that with my little boy at home to
do chores for me / could have him say moro
lessons a day than that consequently l have
kept him at home and IL will lake the COM
pulsory bill TO persuade me to again support
the school.
Now someone may ask why do the patrons
submit 10 such teachers? Simply because our
county school commissioner tells our s~lools
pay nothing and competent teachers are not 10
be had. Although he hires teachers for differ
ent salaries 10 teach the school nearest me, the
is true of other schools. Perhaps II some
good teacher would come along and demanC Il
fair salary maybe he would get II. l verify
believe that the country would be better Off
without a free term. At least we should ask
the legislature 10 remedy the other evils
listing in our educational system and give us
competent teachers. then IL need be, give US
compulsory law. don't think the latter would
be needed in the rural districts, though do
need a good, strong remedy somewhere. Those
OF you who are putting the blame on us poor
old ignorant parents, please investigate the mat
ter. II is Indifferent parents that support
such schools. Those of who have chill
dren's interests at heart fight shy OF them, for
there is more harm than good done. But we
are pOwerless when our commissioner hires as he
chooses. JUSTICE.