The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-12-10
VOX POPULI.
BUSINESS COURSE
in HIGH SCHOOLS

Editor Pensacola Journal.
We are pleased to note the express
sion The Journal gave to this matter
in the issue of the 2nd inst
We have written upon this subject
on different occasions for the past
three years, as the files of The Journal
will show, and the board of public in
struction Of Escambia county, Fla, in
placing a business course in the high
school of Pensacola it was upon the
sample principle that they would do
all that body was able, under the
existing laws and financial cramp they
could to place a school centrally To-
Gated, where agricultural and mechan-
ical features would be the principal
objects.
We made a careful investigation OF
Stetson University's mechanical de-
partment and the result from this de-
partment alone is about self sustain
ing.
AS far as a large expenditure is con-
against making expensive mistakes
but we could take a census from each
and every school in the county and
thus determine about the number of
pupils that would avail themselves of
the opportunity of such a school.
This. would determine the interest
that the general public has in such an
This school for boys and girls alike
such mechanical and Industrial fea-
lures as would suit our girls, Of course
should be in the course Of study.
The site for the school should be
reasonably situated so as to be OF
easy access to different parts of the
county and as near the central por-
ton as possible.
And have not less than one hundred
and HiYfv Of 1apd UrhArA
sible, good stream of never failing
water could be used for irrigation pur-
poses, as we know that IL our lands
could be properly irrigated and cult
waited with good judgment. one acre
would produce fifty per cent more than
we get now without irrigation.
There are large land holders that
could donate section Of land to such
school. and not feel 1t, as they have
virtually the land for nothing after
they have cut the timber therefrom.
AS far as the first cost is concerned
If citizens would subscribe to the in
stitution this will be a good plan, but
we believe that the public would will
lingly add small amount to the taxes
and thus have such a school.
We note that the bond issue for a
handsome and costly Jail, with all its
extras. etc. seems to meet with ap-
prevail, and If we are willing to spend
money literally on our criminal class,
which are, in the majority of cases,
nom taxpayers. what kind of a man
would hesitate to pay for a school in
the county that would properly edu-
cate his boy or girl, and If the bond
issue caused reduction of the taxes
| OF two mills, why, a bond issue for
such q cause would increase the wealth
of our county to that extent that with
in few years the reduction would be
permanent. We hope that the gen
eral public will take this matter ur
and let us hear from the pros and
cons.
As we know that The Journal, as
heretofore, will be glad to give space
to any who express their views on this
| important matter.
I am sure that it would be an easier
task to get q central school, as above
than to get a bridge across the. Es-
! Gambia river.
The school board thought 1t wise Il
put business course in the higt
| school at Pensacola. and if we car
get a county agricultural school thi:
| would be, of course, a feature in same
| so as to give the youths of our county
| opportunities to equip themselves fol
| citizenship of the first order and fol
the different vocations Of life
J. W. CRARY.
Bluff Springs, Fla, Dec. Z, 1911.