Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-02-20
az mN17-~>>
A Farmer on Schools.
Editor T.-R.


VIII you give me as much room as
the farmer" from Gearing occupied N
a late issue of your paper TO say
word or two regarding the proposed
school law and in passing by just
word about the incorporate and scold-
ing communication that this Gearing
farmer" writes? The article to which
have reference Is. verify believe. one
written by political shysters and sent
out to be sent to papers over the sig
nature of men who do not know what
they are sending.
Here is a man whose intense inter-
est in the rural schools drives him TO
use billingsgate at the school people
who are actually trying to find a way
to make the rural school a real school
At Fearing, he says, 200 people imme-
diately signed protest. Who circu-
lated the protest? Some politician OF
banker? Probably some little banker
who fears that under business admin
istration of school business he would
have to pay interest on school funds.
WHY do the banks fight over the Of
fee OF township school treasurer Or
agree to take it in rotation? What is
the cause of the anxiety of the bank
ers all over Iowa who are circulating
protests" against change? why me
interest on the school fund of course
When does a banker get real active IN
the interests Of the public? Why when
he can profit personally by it or when
he fears to lose We all know 1t.
will bet COW that a banker sent that
screed to the Times Rep,lblican.
What an interest he advances among
farmers over the rural school. Do You
know how many we can get out to
school election in our district? Two
wears ago the present director and mis-
hired man and his brother-in-law met
and elected the present director lie
hired his niece from town to teach
board with him. His wife wanted the
board money for new carpet.
When his daughter was old enough
she got the school. for next year no
one was out to election but the director
and his hired man and he held over
The daughter developed into a very
good teacher and has kept very good
school for the less than dozen ou-
pills. Now this state of affairs or one
similar is common in the rural dis
tricts. But this man who is so worked
up over the tyranny he feels coming Is
simply afire with his interest In the
district school, And I'll make another
bet of cow and calf that not one
fourth of the voters of Gearing cast a
ballot at school election. isn't it
strange that 900 of them moved by
one common and patriotic interest"
should meet and protest with such
vociferous unanimity?
Now I am just young fellow only
lately married and with no children.
At present it doesn't make much diff
ference to me how they run the schools
but I hope that it will some six years
hence. I had couple of years at
Ames and feel that know somewhat
of the difference between what the
country school is and what it ought
to be. Personally l favor the county
board, the hired superintendent and
consolidation to a practicable degree.
Right now I favor payment of inter
est on the nearly million of school
money that has helped make bankers
wealthy. I don't know any reason why
any man should not pay for the use
of money when he uses that of an
other. Do you Mr.. Editor? I am not
afraid of monarchy" because the
schools are run on business principles
and made into a systematic machine
to educate children. can understand
how a county board might manage the
county schools and remain honest and
upright and capable citizens without
paw lust as L can understand how
board of regents can do the same
thing or city school board be capable
and honest One thing L can't under
stand is why any man should break
out in such Mysteries as our friend
from Gearing unless he is banker.
Honest now honest Indian. Mr.. Editor.
didn't a banker write that or at least
send or hand it to you to be printed!
Silence will give assent.
Let's look at this new thing with
honesty and common sense. Don't let's
howl and don't let's attempt to make
out that the patrons of the rural
school are sitting up nights for fear
that they will be chained in the school
houses and armed guards set over
them Let's look for the coon In the
rail pile and find banker who wants
to take care of the school money by
lending it out at per cent and paying
nothing for the privilege.
A REAL FARMER.
Marshalltown, Iowa, Feb. 20.