The Monroe journal. [volume] (Monroe, N.C.) 189?-1965, 1910-09-20
FORWARD STEP IN EDUCATION

fntendentS lake NeW Stcp -
Recommend Agricultural High
Schools - Increased Appropria-
tions.
The State Association OF County
Superintendents, which convened at
Chapel Hill, y. c., in Gerard Hall,
$50 o'clock, on August 3lst, was
one Of the most important this body
has ever had. Eighty-seyen counties
out Of the ninety-eight were repre-
scented.
Superintendent Joyner, with his
co workers of the State department,
were present.
Besides the regular routine work,
some important forward steps were
taken, the most important of which,
possibly, was that in regard to the
establishment of farm life schools.
In this the Farmers Union have put
themselves on record as the leaders.
Realizing the great need of the State
as to agricultural development, and
the wisdom Of the farmers in their
attitude toward this matter, in order
to meet this demand for more thor
ough instruction along this line, this
association passed a resolution rec
ommending to next General Assem-
bly, to make an appropriation Of
$4,000 to 100000 for the estab-
lishment of farm-life schools in coun.
ties meeting the conditions requisite
thereto. And as we believe the SEN
timent in Union county is sufficient
ly strong to warrant our taking a
decisive step toward the establish
ment Of one such school in our coun-
ty, we hope our people will lose no
time in setting about this great work.
The body being the instrument
which the mind uses in the prosecu-
tion of its work, quite good deal OF
time was spent in the discussion Of
public health. Sanitation was en-
phasized quite good deal, but not
too much. Much was said concern.
ing the prevention Of disease. While
much has been done in the last de-
cade to eradicate preventable dis
eases, yet conditions are not near so
good as they might be. The average
life has been increased greatly; from
30 to IS years, a few years ago, it
has gone up to Al. If this rate Of
increase continues, we'll soon live as
long as the ancients.
Hookworm disease was discussed
at considerable length. Let teach
ers recognize their responsibility as
promoters of public sentiment along
all lines pertaining to all matters in
any way effecting the welfare of the
people. They should avail them
selves of all opportunities to gain in
formation concerning these vital
subjects. They should secure the
Primer of Sanitation adopted by the
State, and impress strongly upon
their pupils the lesson Of cleanliness.
But we should not only be very
scrupulous as to the cleanliness Of
| the outward man, but we should also
see that that which is taken into our
bodies is as free from germs and
dirt as possible.
We hope the teachers, committee
men and patrons of every school will
see that their respective school houses
are put in good sanitary condition
before the teachers and children take
up their abode for the winter. We
hope, also, that they will see that the
immediate environment is looked az
ter closely, and that the privies be
put in a sanitary condition and kept
so.
But we have digressed-we start
ed to tell about the Superintendent
meeting.
A resolution was passed recon-
mending to the next General Assem-
bly, to increase the State appropria-
ton from $l25,00O first appropria-
tom to 100000.
A resolution was offered recon-
mending that all first grade certif-
Gates be issued by central board at
Raleigh. This resolution was tabled,
as all such resolutions should be.
But it would be impossible to put
within small compass the details Of
this meeting, and perhaps very few
would be interested we're we to un-
dertake this. By way Of summary,
however, we would say the State is
making marvellous progress in the
education of her people. We might
note, too, as a parallel fact the great
increase Of wealth. Prof. Schaub
tells US that the yield of corn will
be increased this year in North Caro-
lima 100000 bushels.
Let us go forward in our great
work of development, everyone do
ing his work faithfully and looking