Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1911-04-07
Senator Pages Bill.

In an interview given Montpelier
Journal representative, State Superu-
tendent of Education Mason ). Stou-
gave a resume of the conditions which
operated in the formation of the hiif to-
gether with an outline of the salient
features of the measure, Mr.. Stone said
"Iu 1862, Senator Justin ). Morrill,,
who was at that time a member of the
House, introduced probably the most
important measure of an educational
nature ever passed by Congress. 1t pro
vided for the establishment of agrlcul-
tursl colleges in the various states and
provided for their maintenance through
federal aid.
GAS a result, Senator Morrill, is con-
sidered the father of agricultural educ
ton in this country and nearly every
state has a Morrill, hall in connection
with its agricultural institution. The
agricultural colleges thus established
have rendered Unreasonable service TO
the country, not only in the direct aid
to the agricultural people through in
vestigation and experiment, but chiefly
through the encouragement Of intell-
gent and scientific agriculture on the
part of farm folk.
ain recent years there has been a
feeling that there was a gap between the
elementary schools aud the agricultural
colleges. The college being an institute
of collegiate grade requires high school
or academic preparation. An extreme
~ small fraction OF those who go to
farming can afford the time and ex-
pense necessary for the high school
course of four years and the agricul-
tural course OF four years. Therefore,
the agricultural college neither meets
the wants of the mass nor devotes it.
self to the development of farmers.
ats Office is to investigate, expert
ment, and determine, and also to pro-
vide scientists ana specialists. The
farmer needs a more elementary aud
definite aud practical training. Con-
sequently, state schools of agriculture
are not only needed but to-day are de.
manded. As agriculture is tia. basis of
all occupations, trades and professions,
a practical and productive agriculture
needs to be developed. On this deyel-
opment depends the growth aud ad.
vancement of the nation.
"The United States has not any more
large areas to open for cultivation Con.
sequently the present acre-population
must not only feed the present popu
Iation but must also feed the great in
crease of the future. To feed a rapidly
increasing population from the present
acreage better agriculture is demand.
ed. To meet this demand the federal
government recognizes its obligation
and probably will take some definite
action toward crystalizing this obliga
ton in federal aid, on the ground that
the greatest asset nation can have is a
large population of intelligent, produc.
tive farmers
"Senator Page has shown a deep in
terest in the development of our country
through education. His business ex
perience has put him into close contact
with Germany, whose system he has
studied and the benefits of which he
recognizes. The purpose of the Page
bill is to afford every person in the
United States an education suited to hi,
taste and abilities.
"The intention of the bill is to carr,
opportunities to every boy in order thai
the boy may learn the best thing fo
which he is best adapted and then en-
able the boy to educate himself for his
particular work. Back of the Page bill
is the Nationa Educational Association
the National Grange, and the American
Federation of Labor, and it is marked
distinction that Senator Page is to b,
the man to represent these various in
terests. The features of the bill mear
, greater things for the nation than any
! thing thus far done by the federal gov
eminent and if incorporated into law
, the act will be the greatest benefit 70
5 the country of anything educatioua
since the establishment of the free pub
lie school system.
"The Page bill provides for the ar
8 preparation of $5,000,000 for instructio,
D in the trades and industries, HON,
economics and agriculture, to be dis
r tributed to the various states in &C
cordance with the population of 1910
r Four million dollars is appropriate,
for state district agricultural schools :,
8 be distributed according to agriculture
: population.
Give hundred thousand is appro
priated for extension work in connec
ton with the state college Of asricul
ture to be distributed according to tn,
efforts made by the states themselves
One million is appropriated for instruc
: ton in trades industries. home ecnnnm