Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1910-06-30
SUPT. STOCKWELL
TALKS SATURDAY
URGES BETTER MENTAL, PHYSICAL AND
MORAL EDUCATION OF CHILDREN
OF n. D. RURAL SCHOOLS

pr8CC1C8l aQQfeSS IMAM SG8C0 Supcr-
intendent Stockwell's talk to the
school officers and teachers at the
court house Saturday afternoon it
/has never been our pleasure to hear.
So many subjects were discussed
and so many excellent titles could
be given the address that it is hard
to choose one that will cover the
entire discourse, but th9 speaker
placed special emphasis upon the
practical mental, moral and physi-
cal education of the children of the
rural schools.
After speaking of the advance
ment made by the people of the
western part of the state in the
educational line and giving the
people of this portion a compli-
ment upon their perseverance, in
living in q country where the ad-
vantages we're not quite as good,
the speaker said the children of the
rural schools were entitled to bet
ter advantages and that he sincerely
sympathized with all those who
truly wanted their children to have
Better opportunities and thus be
b.tter fitted for life. 1t was a
most imperative duty that devolved
upon the school directors and the
people to give the rising generation
a better education. Education was
of supreme importance in this
country of q government of the
people because it required an edu-
Gated people to make q govern
ment by the people successful.
He did not believe with some that
the day Of q government of the
people had passed although it was
true that the great industrial inte-
rests had gained too great hold
upon the government.
There are reasons today for a
better educated people, the country
is bigger, problems more difficult,
and great q questions cannot besolved
by ignorance. Leaders must be
trained.'' One of the greatest
means for proper training is read
-intelligently.
Mr.. Stockwell then presented
the case of the rural schools with
especial emphasis upon the fact
that a large number of the children
of this state obtain their education
in such schools, estimating the NUM-
Der to be about sixty-fve per cent
of the whole, and said these schools
had not had the attention they de-
serve. ''Give the boys and girls
of the rural schools a square deal"
said Mr.. Stockwell. While a
new country is handicapped and
needs new districts with the large
amount Of money now coming
from the state school funds, $40,
$11 and even $13 per head, there
should be better schools"
The influence of pleasant sur
roundings, or invironment was one
of the most important things to
be considered. This influence
would make for better men and
women, and while be knew the
parents were struggling to make
home pleasant and the surround
ings beautiful, the larger part Of
the waking hours Of the children
were spent at the school house and
therefore it deserved just as much
attention. The speaker was
strong believer in environment,
and said that statistics proved the
surroundings to be even more in
Huential that hereditary Tenderness.
Mr.. Stockwell then scored the
conditions in some cases where the
morality of the surroundings Of
the children was not considered and
said 1T will be a sorry day for
nation when the moral fiber Of the
people degenerates and such a ma
ton is sure to go to ruin" Give