Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-01-12

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. espec.
tally that part which relates to the
rural schools, into conformity with
modern ideas and enable us to get
best possible results from the very
large expenditure for schools 1t needs
little argument to show that codifica-
ton of the school laws is advisable.
The present laws are notoriously
vague, defective 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 partially successful. l am con.
WINGED the codif1cation in line with
the recommendations of this commits.
sion is essential Among the import
ant changes suggested by the commits
sion is that of substitution Of the
county district for the township dis
trict, better facilities for consolidation
of rural schools. greater economy in
handling school finances, and preser-
walton Of the best features of our
present certification plan. Important
changes are also suggested in regard
to the county SUPPLEMENTARY and the
scope of the state board Of education.
Training the 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 domes-
tic sciences. Some OF this is being
done in the town and city high
schools, and It is found to be very
helpful. Our state college has done
much to give the young people this
special training. But the fact re-
mains that there is a very large pro-
portion OF children who do not con-
tinue in school beyond the eighth
grade and who cannot avail them.
selves either OF the opportunities of
our high schools or OF our colleges.
These young people become the bread
winners Of the state. They need spe-
cial training in useful occupations.
am convinced we must meet these
conditions in way little dreamed
of by our forefathers. Something
must be done for this large class
which does not now remain in school
but a few years. believe we can
well afford to take step in the d.
rection Of the establishment of special
schools in manual training, domestic
economy. practical agriculture and Civ
ing military training. The provision
for military training is important. be-
cause 1t Is from this class that will
be recruited our army of national de-
tense when needed. But the chiet
value of these schools would lie in the
fact we would be- preparing to meet
the coming world competition in the
arts and industries. There is no
ooubt whatever 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 maintain
ing industries the equal Of any in the
world.
institutions Of Higher Learning,
The people of Iowa are to be CON
graduated upon their state educational
institutions. BY reason of the lioer-
atty OF your predecessors these irsti-
buttons are being built up to the meas
ure of greatness Of our state. They
are. at a critical period in their his
tory. 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 upbuilding. The
reports from these institutions that
will be laid before you will show that
the past biennial period has been one
of wonderful progress and develop
ment at all three of these institutions;
that the work of higher education of
the youth has been better done ttan
ever before; that the student enroll
ment has been increasing steadily and
at a rapid rate; and that all are
crowded to the full capacity Of the
equipment and teaching force. We
must go forward and provide for the
thorough education Of those who pre-
sent themselves at the doors Of these
institutions. Our failure to do so
would discredit US everywhere. How
ever devoted and forceful may be
those who are at the head of the va
rious departments of these institutions
they cannot do justice to themselves
or to the people unless they are pro-
vided with buildings, equipment and
a sufficient faculty. Your obligation
cannot be evaded. 1t is for you to
decide whether or not the forward
shall be continued.
Regulation Of the Liquor Traffic.
There is no doubt that the trend Of
the times is in the direction Of the
thorough control and reasonable re-
striction of the traffic in intoxicating
liquors. The tendency TO decrease
rather than enlarge the area in which
the traffic is permitted under legal
sanction meets the approval of the
people generally.
nm Arm haliaunr in local self