Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1910-11-02

opposite 10 true. II all OF the roads were
in good condition 90 a. 20 remain high
and dry 1t would be possible to success-
fully enforce such law even in the rural
districts, but with ths present condition
OF the most Of the roads, il u impractica-
BILE. And the states in their efforts to
thus bestow blessing upon their chill
dren would be attempting an unkind
benefaction for which they would pay by
. resultant loss in the physique and
mental vigor OF our future generations.
CENTRAL SCHOOLS.
In addition, improved roads would make
possible new system Of central schools,
which would insure better schools at less
cost. Some scheme could be devised for
which would be impossible over our pres
ent bad roads and with the small and
badly located schools in most country
communities. It would be possible under
such system for one school centrally To-
Gated to receive ell Of the children within
. radius OF from four to Ave miles. This
would make it possible to csta blish graded
SIuOCAS AL ia VI AuT EUEAA ul3tHtCts. l8Ikc
and commodious buildings could be pro-
vided, more competent teachers could be
employed, and all the modern facilities
for teaching supplied ct minimum cost.
This would reduce the tax levy upon the
patrons, provide . better school for the
children, and elevate the moral and
social tone OF the community.
l. N... a -
states that have improved their roads.
Indiana and Ohio have each improved
about one-third OF their roads, and in these
states the schools are being consolidated.
The small schooihouse Of one room il
being replaced by central schoolhouse OF
half dozen rooms and as many teachers.
Wagons are sent out every morning to
gather the children up and take them to
school and to take them home every even
ing. All the children within radius OF
several miles are thus taken to one school.
1t is found to cost less proportionateiy
to build and equip one large central school
house than II does to build and equip
several smaller ones. Libraries and read
ing rooms are provided for these schools,
lecture courses are easily arranged, and
the children being brought together In
such large numbers are properly graded;
class spirit is engendered, and greater
pride and love for the school room fos-
tered.
SCHOOL AND CHURCH.
Church attendance would also be stimu-
lated by road improvement. wber one
has nice smooth road to travel over he
doesn't mind driving three or four miles
to church. Small congregations would
thus be augmented. The people would
become interested in and take q pride in
their churches. Larger and more COM
Portable churches would be built, and
both children and grown people would
attend church more regularly than they
do now with our bad roads and distant
and uncomfortable churches; for church
going IL not only beneficial from the re-
iigions atmosphere which pervsdes them,
but there is also an attractive social
feature connected with them which is
benefit and blessing to the people.
The schools and churches OF a com
munity are its greatest moral ard edaca.
tionsl forces. Next 10 them, perhaps,
stands rural mail delivery, which brings
the people OF the rural districts in daily
touch with the cities and business world
Ii places in their hands the daily papers,
magazines, and all OF the current litera.
ture OF the country, SO that they may be as
we'll informed as to what is irapspiring ia
the political, literary and commercial
world as their brothers in the city. The
beneficial effects OF this service upon the
happiness and home comforts Of our rural
population are unreasonable, and nothing
contributes TO ITS efficiency and regularity
more than improved roads.
The Importance OF improving our roads
is SO great that II demands the most seri-
Gus consideration of every one II should
command our immediate and persistent
efforts. Both old and young have an in
terest in il. They should all be educated
TO realization OF its Importance and
bearing ON their welfare; the old ones SO
they may begin the work OF i'm provement,
and the yonng ones SO they will be pre-
pared and willing to take up ( he work be-
gun and carry it forward to high degree
OF perfection.
TO this end 1t would be . wise policy to
include in our school courses, both high
school and college, . course in road con-
struction and maintenance. Such Q course
would give our boys and girls rudimentsry
training ~ to the importance and advan-
tages Of improved roads. 1t would instili in
them desire and an ambition to have
them and . sufficient knowledge OF the
subject to enable them to cooperate in
diligently with the men in charge OF road
work. It will teach them that BY the ex-
ercise OF . little knowledge and the judi
cious expenditure Of little money and Ia
Dor much OF the hardships of farm Life may
be softened and its isolation dispelied,
and that equal pleasure and comfort may
be extracted from life in the country ~
may be derived from city lie.
II our rural population can be brought
to . realization of this, the prevailing
tendency to fiock from the farm to the
city win cease. They will immediately
begin to agitate the question OF improved
roads and to build them. A the roads
ere improved the rural districts will be-
como moro attractive, the farmers will
continue to farm and to do 40 mora intaI-