The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1911-05-20
RURAL SCHOOL
ME- RGER IS
ADVOCATED
Consolidation Idea GToWIeg In
Favor IN Oklahoma Agitation
IN Grant County
Special 70 Daily Leader.

Special To Daily Leader.
Medlord Okla, May 20The first
meeting for the purpose of boosting
rural consolidated schools in Grant
county was held in the district court
room and about fifty enthusiasts
boosters for consolidation represent
Inc thirteen different school districts
were present to express their views
On he matter and boost the good
work along.
County Superintendent, c. NJ. JAG.
OLSON acted as chairman Of the meet
Ing and In his opening remarks cas-
Nally mentioned the fact that the
rural population of the state OF Kan
sas had depreciated $4,000 in the
past ten years due 70 the exodus OF
farmers 10 the cities on account OF
the greater advantages offered there
especially In educational lines
Prof Clark, of Manchester repre-
sentative in the legislature from
this county made a strong plea for
the bettermeut of the rural schools,
speaking from the standpoint Of an
educator aud also from the stand.
polni Of legislator when he remind
cd the farmers present OF the enor.
nous appropriations passing the
houses or the legislature In favor Of
The state nOrmals and preparatory
schools 10 the detriment Of rural
education Prof, clark was sup.
porter Of the bill providing for the
support Of rural f'hoos. She bill
passing the lower house but being
defeated in the senate.
Tells Of Methods.
A. J. Rentruw OF Pond Creek. rep
fescntatiye Prom this district. fob
lowed with an explanation OF the
methods employed BY the represen.
tatiyes from school towns FOR the
gobbIing up OF the appropriations of
school money for the institutions Of
higher learning to the loss Of the
common schools
Abe Slaughter Of Wakiia made d
most enthusiastic speech i'm which
ne appealed 10 the people OF the
rural districts to stand on their
rights and demand what was coming
TO them. and admonishing them to
get busy at once while the time was
Opp0rtune.
Nm Hendricks OF Gore township.
and one OF the most enthusiastic
supporters Of the rural consolidated
schools IN the sate. made a short
talk IN which he outlined his idea
OF inc eopsolidation .froposition.
The consolidated school. said
Nt iienllricks should be the social
center OF the community. 1t should
be the place in which the community
Should gather for its entertainments
lts debates, etc
Going further MIR Hendricks sooSe
OF the educational beneiIts MIR
tiendlicks pointed out the fact that
the nteres and enthusiasm ii
school work was greater under The
consolidation that II was under the
Old district schools. and wound M
with the statement that they we're
glad they had the district and that
II Nds there TO stay.
Senator W. A. Garrison. Of pond
Creek hoarkened back 10 the days
ol his schooling whom the old log
house performed the function Of /
school house
Education IN the rural districts
l0day said AR Garrison "a flfy
years behind All other lines OF pro
Atr Garrison was member or
nc territorial board pf education
and was interested IN the consolida,
llon idea al this tlmc
Some Practical Talks.
N the general discussion Whleb
followed tho regular program MIR
Evans director of consolidated dls.
trlot no. j was called upon for re-.
marks on the practical workings Of
lRe consolidation proposition as ex
peflenced IN his district. This he
lid showing the difficulties Ia be
men and overcome Ia The establish.
menl Of this work. lie explained tho
hauling proposition 10 the gatisfae-
non Of all present.
Telling of tho Institution OF tho
school he mentioned the fact that
heh tle district was organized
nroe Years ago there we're $50 pu,
enrolled, as against nearly 200 al
his Time lie told of how they had
zen compelled to increase me fac
llty tro mthree to four teachers and
.neir building from three Ia four
'oohs, Speaking OF the kid wagon
~ showed how the longest route IN
Ihe district was only six and ono.
lai mlles long how The wagons Fan
~ schedule time and showed the
'stounding difference IN favor Of the |
consolidated school over graded cltv
'cnools II the number OF eases Of
afqlness and absence. This Ais.
Mcl now teaches an grades ~ "
ied including the ninth and tho n. |
ehllon n 70 go un 10 the twelfth /
Upon motion II was decided that |
2 organization be made for the nnr. |
'use ot boosting the lropasiflon
long systepatic 1Res ii commm.
.ee consisting QffMK All AIaulflets
! Renfr0w ann i 9lS Mell,nsn
NaS appointed to perfect plans FOR
n 0fsNnl1ation 10 be presented a
Pc next meeting A resolution was
'assed iTquestion the aid Of every
leNspaner Ia Grant county IN get.
~ tals noyement before the peo.
he The next meeting will be held /
Iere Tuesday. May 30.