The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1911-07-10
Stanton Cites Unusual Conditions

Judge Stanton said in part
Stanton Cites Unusual Conditions
We can learn a great deal and
find much to emulate by study of
the laws enforced and the methods
followed in other states and older
communities, but the conditions in
Beltrami county and in Northern
Minnesota generally are so distinct
i've and exceptional, that much must
depend upon our own good judg-
ment and ingenuity. In an effort
to find the best plan to pursue, under
the various disadvantages incident
to sparsely settled region, we have
the cooperation and valued assist
ance of a corps of state educational
workers, who. believe, are the peers
of their co-workers in any part of
the UuiOn and so | am confident
that the youth of Beltami County
will be speedily provided with all
possible educational advantages.
am not entirely free from en-
barrassement in undertaking to dis
cuss educational questions with you
| today because l am clearly cogni-
zant Of my own lack of general in
| formation along these lines; but
am at least interested, and have
also had occasion, from time to time
| in my capacity as judge of the dis
| trict court, to investigate existing
; conditions and to determine the feas-
IDLE course to take when confronted
| with questions involving school man.
agement.
Quarrel Proves Source of knowledge
My attention was first directed
to what is generally termed the
consolidated RURAL school project.
few months ago, when in one
of our adjacent counties, a neigh bor-
/ hood quarrel gave rise to a petition
! to the board of county commission
ers to divide school district and
all appeal brought the matter before
me for final determination. No le-
| gal questions were involved, as I re-
member it, but l was impressed with
the Importance of determining the
practical, sensible thing to do under
the conditions presented con-
clude if l could, what decision on my
! no fbn oh
of the community. This led me to
t an investigation of rural schools and
study of their history and advance
ment, with the result that I became
! an ardent believer in larger, more
comprehensive, more complete, more
finished rural schools. 1t is doubt
| less needless to add that I denied the
petition to divide that district, and,
as matter of fact, | felt some re-
gret that l did not possess the power
| to extend the boundaries of the orig
inal district l have since taken adj
vantage of my opportunity, in sever
al other instances, to add territory
to existing districts, and I am as
sured, in each of these cases, that
all concerned are now pleased with
the results
One Teacher Schools Here
know that in some portions of
Beltrami county there is absolutely
no chance to maintain a school with
more than one teacher at the present
the poor condition of the roads, In
these communities the best that can
be done will be to continue with one
teacher for perhaps six or eight
grades. But the tendency and the
effort, in every locality where it can
possibly be done, should be towards
consolidation of the schools so that
the children in the country will have
educational advantages equal to
those in the villages and cities.
We make boasts of equal privileg-
es to all. But the pupil at the small,
inferior country school, is not afford
ed the privileges equal to the pupil
Of the graded school a few miles
away. Farm life is the best for the
children. But we must make it pos
sible to remain upon the farm and
still enjoy the advantages of good
schools. The only practical solution
of the problem is the consolidated
| rural school, 1t must come, and it
will; even in the wooded regions of
Northern Minnesota.
Larger Schools; Better Teachers.