Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1909-09-15
Educational Rally a Success

On 1UeSudy night OF iaSt week was
wellattended, Berryville, MiIlwood
and White Post being well repre-
sented in addition to the good
attendance Of BOyce friends of
public education.
On the platform we noticed Mr..
Maphis, Mr.. Thomas, Mr.. Massey.
Mr.. Harrison and Mr.. Cooley.
Trustee Mr.. l.. =. Reed called the
meeting to order He said: Ladies
and Gentlemen: We have with US
tonight several distinguished ed
ucators, who have come here 10
help Us. and in order that they may
do so effectually, it will be neces-
sary to outline for their informa-
ton the local conditions here. and
TO point out some Ofthe perplexing
problems before US. We do not
mean TO limit the discussion to local
matters, but we do propose % make
good use of these gentlemen. From
an educational standpoint we are
in the most favored rural com
munity in the Valley perhaps in
the state. We have in this section
friends who have opened their
purse strings to the local boards.
One gentlemen wrote his check for
$1,000. Others have given from
SO to $1,000. Many have done
nothing in q financial way: all have
given the school their moral sup
port. however, but | regret to say
that the patrons, for some months.
have been In a dormant state. iu
other words. they seem 10 be salts
fled. This ought not To be. a. our
wealthy friends stand ready 20
make this one of the most up-to-
date buildings i'm equipment and
sanitary arrangement in this sec
ton, provided the people want
these things.
They have pointed out to me
certain work that the patrons can
do themselves: such A. building q
shed for the protection of the
horses. making walks. digging for
the sewerage and in identifying
the grounds. These friends want
u he sure we are Interested: they
want every patron 10 be able 10
point TO something he has done.
They assure me that what they
have done for the school they re-
gard as q splendid inyestment-not
charity a q good school adds
value to other property. Are YOU
ready TO meet the condition. You
know the school board must have
your help, a. the board always has
a deficit TO handle. II has been
said anybody can handle surplus.
but 1t takes = tinancier 20 handle q
deficit. 20 this board must be the
greatest body of hnanciers in the
country. One more word in de-
fence of the mOss-backed school
board: The board has shown as
much interest In the education and
comfort of Your children a. you
have He then referred 10 the
interest shown by the colored pco-
pie in their manual training school
at Wildwood. He said that they
had raised between $500 and $500
themselves.
Mr.. Geo. b. Harrison. Chairman
of the Citizens Committee. pre-
sided. and on taking the chair spoke
in his easy, graceful manner of
what the school had done for the
town and vicinity. and then re-
viewed the history of the educa-
tional movement there ut some
! length.
Mr.. c. q. NIaphis. Examiner
for the 9TH District, was the next
speaker. His subject was High
Schools, and his address was
/ listened to with the closest atten-
tion throughout, and was highly
appreciated.
Assistant Superintendent Thomas
IS quite young man. but he can
say more in q short time than any
. speaker we have ever listened TO-
. His address dealt with every
phase of the educational question
. In regard To taxation he said th,
greatest "kickers" paid the least
tax. He called tomind one gentle
man, who had raised Cain" about
his school tax, and upon investiga
ton it was found he paid the stu.
pendouS sum of 40 cents, year.
We regret that we cannot siv,
more than this brief report OF al,
splendid speeches or Mr.. Naphi,
and Mr.. Thomas.
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