The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-09-28
Rural School Improvement

Prof. w. H. Smith, supervisor of ele- mentary rural schools. an important of flee, made possible through the Peabody fund, was in the city today on busi- ness connected with his work. It is his duty to travel about over the state and visit all rural schools, to encourage longer terms, better houses, better teachers, to assist in the organization of district schools and of agricultural high schools, and he has so far been very successful in all branches of his service. Professor Smith enjoys the distinction of being the Father of the Boys Corn | Clubs," and continues to take great deal of interest therein. He has seen the move ment grow from one club in Holmes coun- ty, where he was county superintendent of education several years ago, and until he resigned a few months ago to accept his present position, till there are now corn clubs in 40 or 50 counties and with membership of about 15 900 of the bright est and most energetic farmers in the state.
 The corn club movement has grown be- yond Professor Smiths fondest dreams and has accomplished a world of good. The farmers of Mississippi had no idea that they could raise 150 bushels of corn per acre till they saw what the boys of the corn clubs were doing, and the re- suit Is that old Mississippi has so much corn to sell this year her grain dealers have been before the railroad commits sion demanding and getting special con sessions from the railroads so that this corn may be unloaded, ground and sacked in transit Never before did the state make such a corn crop-thanks to Prov idence for ideal seasons, and to the corn clubs for their efforts to make two ears of corn grow where there was but a nubbin before.
 surfeit of Dirty Politics
 The Farmers Union Advocate, a pub lication that once week finds Its way into the homes of some 10000 citizens of the state of Mississippi. has the follow ing timely editorial on the political cy clone that is now sweeping over the coun- try:
 "The present senatorial campaign in Mississippi seems to be unparalleled in the annals of politics in undesirable feat ures.
 While the Advocate takes no part in partisan politics, and we are in the posi- ton of an impartial observer, yet we cannot fail to have our nose offended by the stench; our ears assailed with the fishmonger billingsgate bandied about, and our eyes met with about all the printed epithets in the English language.
 .This condition of affairs is shame ful. disgraceful, and an insult to the intelligence of the people.
 Tt seems to be a campaign, not on the merits of any candidate, but strictly on the demerits of the other fellow.
 How are the people to get the proper conception of whom to vote for? Meas ures are forgotten; issues of moment are put aside; governmental policies are rel egated the science of government Is ig- nored; economic questions are not touched--it is simply one vast, horrible, nauseating, stinlxing torrent of abuse. crimination, re-criminatien, epithets, reeking like a sewer doing no one any good and lowering the whole tone of peo- pies, press and politicians.
 If the newspapers of the state would resolutely close their columns to my more of this stuff. print no abuse, dis cuss the issues in a calm and dignified manner-or not at all-put the stamp of their disapproval upon such campaign ing, 1t would soon cease, and ve hope to heaven 1t will"
 Newspapers nt Fault
 A postoffice inspector has been in Jack son looking into the character of matter that Is being printed in the local news papers and has notified the proprietors thereof that a great deal of objection able matter is being printed, and that if they Insist on publishing such indecent stuff-nnatter that is unfit to be read in the homes of the citizens of the state their papers will be barred the use of the mails.
 It is understood that the inspector will visit other towns where q great deal of abusive matter has been printed recently, especially of a political nature. and that the same notice is to be served on the publishers there.
 The public very generally will indorse the action of the postoffice department in the action that 1t has taken in this connection, and the only wonder Is that it has not put stop to it ere this. Edi- torials, communications, interviews. speeches, etc, have been printed in the Mississippi newspapers during the past six months that are not only libelous but unfit to be circulated in the homes of the women and children of the state.
 Boil weeviI Progress
 w. L. Pryor of Laurel, who is crop reporter for the government, was among the visitors to Jackson today. on his way to the delta section of the state While MT prvo- ta nof per4uitted tO give out