Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-12-09

Is it well lighted, heated and venti-
lated?
Are the walls decorated?
Has it ample blackboards and are
they suitably placed?
| Are the desks adjusted to the chill
dren and properly placed?
Is the teacher supplied with a good
desk and two chairs?
Are the apparatus and supplies suf-
ficient and we'll cared for?
Is there a definite program Of study
and Rotations?
Is the proper interest taken in in
dustrial training?
Is the attendance regular?
Is the school in session at least sew
en- months in the year?
These questions were read by the
speaker and commented upon in their
application to the schools of the coun-
ty Mr.. Ferguson expressed the opin-
ion that there are a few schools here
concerning which satisfactory answers
can be given to these questions, but
they are not numerous, and he urged
school officials and teachers to assist
in making this number greater.
Miss Pincombs subject was House
hold Science at the University" and
she devoted her time to outlining the
work done at the state school, and
the various courses of study in house
hold and domestic science that are OPP
en- to women. She went into detail in
explaining how the knowledge and
! mi IN, hn -
applied in the home. There was a
large turnout of the ladies to hear he=
and her address was much appreciat'
ed.
At the afternoon session much lis
appointment was caused by the ali
sence of DR. S. A Forbes, state enUO-
mologist who was to have spoken, but
who was unable 10 leave Urbana. Al
ter the business session, L. B. Stray
err presented a report from the Far
mers National congress which mat
this fall at Raleigh, n c., and which
he and four others from this county
attended. Rev. r. 4. Broyles of this
city made a plea for financial aid tor
an industrial school for Colored yOt,ng
people, which he represents. County
Superintendent Ferguson was called
upon for an informal talk and made
plea for a more intimate mutual ac-
quaintance of residents of the county.
He expressed surprise at the opposi-
ton which some school directors have
shown toward the movement for a
corn day" in the school. basing their
attitude on the ground that the teach
ers are not as a rule competent to
instruct their children about anything
pertaining TO corn. The directors, the
speaker said, have mistaken the whole
aim of corn day which is rather 70
develop a subject of common interest
to draw together teachers, pupils and
parents, than to impart cold facts
through the medium of the public
school.
There was a song by the Black
Hawk quartet.
Heath Is Heard
The only prepared address of the af
ternoon was paper upon The Present
and the Future of the Rock Is'ard
County Farmer" by S. w. Heath IF
Milan Mr.. Heath said in par:
The subject assigned me today is
one that has been discussed i'll I'll its
different phases by all classes of peO-
pie from the president of the United
States to the hobo who is stealing a
nights lodging in the farmer nay
NOV. The tone of these discussions
has changed somewhat of late years.
Formerly the farmer was receiving
apparently free of cost, instructions as
to how he should conduct his farI1
operations. by every fellow that tIav-
eled the road, kept a store, or ran a
other institution. And they didn I
fail to grind fine and take toll. 10
this injury insult was added.
He was and is yet caclcItureS in
all the newspapers and magazines i'll
the country and made the suit OF lid
icule by every jackass with q pen be-
hind his ear. He is called old hay
seed" and corn tassel." And If he
aspires to political Office he is styled
Senator Sorghum etc. Many other
names of like character are assigned
to him 1t seemed like every man S
hand was against him, while he was
holding out the horn Of plenty to the
whole civilized world.
But, as said before, the tune is
changed somewhat. We hear it every
where now, that the farmers are the
fellows who are making the money.
They are getting rich, etc. Il is true
in my opinion that the farmer of Rocl.
Island county is prospecting to de-
gree he did not dream of 20 years
ago. And yet he is not getting fair
share of the wealth he produces.
There are other interests in Rock Is.
land county that have &C Iulred many
millions of dollars from the profits Of
their wares sold to the farmer while
the farmer has to be satisfied with