Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-01-14

school laws, and 1 believe that the re-
port which will be laid before you
will show that the commission has de-
voted itself industriously and thought
fully to the task so that great good
will result. The chief problem was
that of suggesting amendments to
bring our educational system, especial
ly that part which relates to the rural
schools into conformity with modern
ideas and enable US to get best posi-
bic results from the very large ex-
penditure for schools. 1t needs little
argument to show that codification of
the school laws is advi:G5!o. The pres
ent laws are VIGOROUSLY vague, defec-
tive and conflicting, due to the fact
that they have been built up piece
meal. The effort to graft new ideas
upon the old laws has been only par
tally successful. l am convinced the
codification in line with the recon-
mendations of this commission is es-
sential. Among the important changes
suggested by the commission is that of
substitution of the county district for
the township district, better facilities
for consolidation of rural schools,
greater economy in handling school
finances, and preservation of the best
features of our present certifcation
plan. Important changes are also sug-
gested in regard to the county super
intendency and the scope of the state
board of education.
I urge you to read the commission
report, and in this connection the
admirable report of the superinten-
dent of public instruction. All their
recommendations should be taken into
consideration
Training Youth for Life Work
Within recent years there has been
an awakening throughout the United
States to the Importance of providing
as part of our public school system
something that will more definitely
give to our young people training in
the useful occupations and better pre-
pare them for their life work. The
demand seems to be just now for
manual training and for instruction
IN scientific agriculture and the do
nestle sciences. Some of this is being
done in the town and city high schools
and 1t Is found to be very helpful
l believe we can well afford to take
step in the direction of the estab-
lfshment of special schools in manual
training, domestic economy, practical
agriculture and giving military train
ing. The provision for military train
ing is important, because it is from
this class that will be recruited our
army of national defense when need
ed. But the chief value Of these
schools would lie in the fact that we
would be preparing to meet the com
ing world competition in the arts and
industries. There is no doubt what
ever that this competition will be felt
far more in the future than in the
past, and we should give to our state
body of trained and skilled artisans
capable Of maintaining industries the
equal of any in the world.
You are doubtless aware of the
movement for corporation Of the
federal government with the states in
training the young people in useful
occupations. The time is not far dis
tant when we will be called upon to
decide whether Iowa shall join in this
corporations. In other states, schools
Of agriculture are already in opera
tlon The success Of the agriculture
college extension work shows there
is a real demand for this in Iowa AS
a preliminary, we ought to begin to
prepare our teachers to give instruc-
ton in agriculture and other indus
trial lines.
Institutions of Higher Learning
The people Of iowa are to be con-
| graduated upon their state educa-
tlonal institutions. BY reason of the
llberality of your predecessors these
institutions are being built up to the
measure Of greatness of our state.
They are at a critical period in their
history. They are entering upon an
era Of expansion far beyond the
dreams of their founders, in which
will be realized the fondest hopes of
the good men and women whose lives
have been devoted to their up-build-
ing.
In this connection, wish to empha-
size the thought that appropriations
made for these institutions are not to
be considered as in any sense an ex-
travagance.
In considering the question of sup
port, it is well to know that in view
of the increased cost of living it is
absolutely necessary there shall be
REIMBURSEMENT of salaries, il we are to
maintain the high standard.
The State University
The university is properly the head
and center of the whole educational
system of the state An Inadequate
campus has always been a serious OBJ
stacle to the Development of the uni
versity. 1 recommend the purchase
OF ADDITIONAL land and suggest an ap-
preparation of 100000 for securing
acreage across the river to the west.
l believe the state must ultimately ac-
quire this property, and when it is
connected with the old campus by a
concrete bridge, the university will
then have opportunity for expansion
as 1t should The opportunity thus
made for giving the university more
beautiful surroundings will be an in
| spiration to all who come within its
influence.
In view of the fact that the univer-
sity is becoming great institution
for the education of young people of
both sexes, provision should be made
for women's building. l would rec
4 ommend an appropriation of $4,000