Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1911-11-08
WEpNEsDAY. NoyEMBER 5. len
ExrRANEoUs 10 The RIAL suBJEcr

The CENSOR gives space, in another
column of today's issue, TO a commune
cation written by our friend 4 7. Jor-
dan, Of Stark town, wherein he takes
decided ground against the present sys-
TEN CT county teachers training
schools. 1t is unfortunate, because Of
the important subject at issue, as well
as to Mr. Jordan, that he beclouds
things with variety of extraneous
matters, even resorting to poetry.
Whatever of point or of wholesome
force the writer may have intended to
convey or make plain in his opposition
to training schools, we cannot but feel
that the scores sought TO be made by
him are obscured in multiplicity of
subjects foreign to that question. In
some of his contentious the CENSOR
quite agrees with Mr.. Jordan. yet they
have no merit in the discussion of a
subject of such moment to the masses
as is universal education.
The CENSOR viii not attempt within
these brief paragraphs, discussion of
the merits or demerits of county train
ing schools, for there are those better
prepared to do that, and our columns
are open for that purpose if sc desired,
but we are firm in the belief that the
school which was established here four
years ago has been of incalculable ser.
vice, benefit and uplift to class OF
young people whose opportunity and
means were too limited to have found
a firm educational footing in fields
more distant from their homes. With
in month last passed eight young
women, graduates from cur county
school, have found remunerative situa-
tions at their command in their chosen
profession without the state. Those
places would not have been open to
them minus the qualifications which
they acquired in the home training
school. We doubt not that every one
of these clear-headed students who
have gone to other fields, and those
who remain to teach and follow other
avocations within the county, rejoice in
the munificence of a public and COM
munity that bestowed upon them this
training at their home doors, for it is
probable that not one of the eight per-
sons could or would have gone else
where to receive this necessary train
ing, because of the expense involved.
Possibly it may not be generally
understood that no person is eligible or
permitted, under the present law, to
teach in Wisconsin, even in the district
schools, except he or she has had at
least six weeks of normal or prepare
tory work. The county training school
supplies this requirement. With this
in mind, and for other substantial rea-
sons, can there be any doubt that our
county training school, the expense Of
which two-thirds is borne by the state,
end the total cost to the taxpayers of
our county for the curre.S year is only
81, 600, is not giving value received in
higher intelligence and better qualify
ing young people for the battle of life?
AS considerable of taxpayer, the
CENSOR believes with all sincerity that
this much is due from US to the rising
generations.
Financial limitations and inability to
go from home, might with equal and
full force be raised to Mr.. Jordan's
proposition for college of agriculture
in every congressional district, and at
some remote point.