The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-09-11


and children of the state, as well as the
lives and health of the men of the COM
monwealth.
Education
1.-THE appropriation for the common
schools should be increased and the
commissions and expenses of getting
the money to the teachers diminished
Those who do the work are entitled
to the money appropriated for the pur-
pose and the number of school days
per annum should be increased. Time
and change in general conditions have
clearly shown that a readjustment is
needed in our present school system.
Not many years ago conditions were
such that a purely literary education
was all that was necessary to fit one
for the duties of life, but later 1t has
been demonstrated that scientific
knowledge with the progress of the
world is essential; and this makes 1t
necessary that we train our children
up to follow some particular vocation
which may be best suited for the To-
cality in which they are to live and
ing necessary to master every phase OF
the vocation for which they are being
prepared. This vocational training
must be begun in the rural county and
district schools and 1t does not entail
much change in our present school sys-
tem-slmply the introduction of the
study of the particular branches In
which the children are to be trained.
II do not think enough effort has
been made to give the children in the
country districts scholastic advantages
measurably equal to those enjoyed by
children in towns and cities. The prac-
teal result has been that many men,
ambitious for the welfare of their
children, have sacrificed their farm
Ing interests in order to get near city
schools. This has resulted In great
injury to the rural sections. Some of
the finest communities of the state have
for this reason been abandoned and
allowed to fall into decay and ruin.
More attention should be given to
bringing up the standard of the country
public schools.
Child Labor
"a people sh ould not make money the
measure of man. A sound educated
mind in a sound body is the best guar
anty of a sound and permanent nation.
Stringent laws should be made upon
the subject of child labor in factory
and mine. Those who, from dire pow
erty, must so labor should be of suit
able age and the hours and places dur
ing and within which they work should
be regulated and made to protect their
health, comfort and safety. One or
more public school teachers should be
allotted to each factory and mine and
groups of children allowed several
hours for study and education during
the working day. This could be ar
ranged so as not to interfere with con-
tinuous operation of the mill or mine
Courts
"a change is needed in the laws con-
corning the transaction of business in
the courts. Juries should not be kept
waiting day after day for the lawyers
to complete the drawing of their pa
pers Procedure is too technical. More
than half the time of the courts, high
and low, is spent in trying to find out
how to go ahead, and a large part of
the time in trying to find out wheth er
or not they can go ahead at all in the
case.
ITO many technical restrictions are
placed in the way of finding out the
truth. There is too much delay. Theoreti-
cal justice Is of no value 1t Is no COM
fort to one to know that his cause Is
just, but will never be finally tried; or
that, being successful on trial, he has
spent more than he gains to obtain judg-
ment
Good Roads
IT am also favorable to a system of
good roads commensurate with the
growing needs of the state. Alabama is
now within ten years of the hundredth
year of her birth as a state, and yet our
road system throughout the state, with
few exceptions, is in a deplorable con-
dition. favor the encouragement of each
county taking the initiative in the con-
of good roads by the assurance
that the state will cooperate to the ex-
tent of an appropriation by the state,
equal to Inc amount which the county
may provide When we consider the UNI
speakable advantage to be derived from
a system OF good roads, the question Of
prompt action with respect to this mat
ter does not admit of question.
Insurance
II believe that the time has come when
there should be more attention given to
the quiet depletion of our finances by
the absorption of our means by foreign
in Insurance organizations Our people are
as capable OF organizing and maintain
ing insurance organizations as are those
of other parts of the country. Why
should we be sending millions Of money
elsewhere for insurance when 1t can be
retained at home. and yet quite az sat
isfactory insurance given?