The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1911-11-06

One of the able addresses before the
state educators last week was deliver
ed by Prof. @. w. Randlett of the
A. O., who spoke as follows:
The Rural School Problem.
Our Puritan fathers established
schools that their children might be
able to read the scriptures, their OBJ
Ject being the maintenance of their
high moral and religious standards.
To train for citizenship Is an ideal of
more than recent years. History and
civies were the means by which the
purpose might be accomplished. A
still broader view is beginning to clari-
fy to the vision Of the educator that
it is the business OF the school to fit
the boy to take his place in the world
of men, to make Of him a being not
only endowed with sharp intellect. re-
fined sensibility and strong volition.
but one with well developed physique
and skilled hand, able to meet the
business problems of the day, to pro-
duce his share Of the nations wealth,
capable of rendering his duty as a unit
in society-in short to perform all the
duties of life. not merely to his own
advantage, but to the general good OF
society," And with all this a definite
body of practical useful knowledge
and an awakening and enlightened
spirit that renders life's activities in
teresting and pleasurabIe.
Joseph Cooke In one Of his famous
lectures, assumed the role Of a sailor,
and as he in mimic fashion dropped
the line and lead over the side of the
vessel would call out Il 700 fathoms.
700 fathoms, 400 fathoms, 200 fathoms." !"
Then looking over his audience and
pointing the index finger would say.
Young man, we near some country"
So in the educational world, we near
some country. Something is going to
happen, indeed Is already happening
Less startling are the things happen
ing than the methods bringing them to
pass. There is at present an interest
among all classes Of people In educa-
tional matters such as never existed
before. Farmers are demanding in
stitutes as never before. are organizing
and conducting clubs by the thousands,
are clamoring for extension schools,
and are consequently on the lookout
for teachers in the district schools who
agriculture and give some elementary
instruction in domestic science. Min
listers are perfecting organizations
within their own churches, as well as
great federations, for the purpose Of
extending the doctrine OF better agTi-
culture, better roads, more trees-in
short more prosperous, healthier
happier, saner country life. CONNER
cial clubs and business associations are
subscribing money by the thousands
for just such purposes. The chamber
of commerce of Spokane, Wash, has
just pledged $1,000 to promote country
life. But fortnight ago representa-
tives from the banking associations
from nine great states held a most re-
markable meeting In the twin cities
Discussions of banking methods, dis
counts, ETC., had no place ON their
programme. Strange as it may seem
two whole days and evenings were
given over entirely to addresses and
discussion on the one subject Of aeri-
cultural education. While ii is possible
that something Of pecuniary motive
may have prompted this meeting, vet
Il ts true that questions OF possible
financial gain were entirely eliminated
Men whose time represented money in
considerable quantity gave that time
freely. Not only this, but their best
thought and energy was put into de-
vtsirlg plans for a better and more
permanent agriculture and a higher
standard OF living, better country life
conditions. Nor does their activity
stop here. A strong neffort will be made
to interest the association OF every
state In the union in this movement
for more practical education. Com
mittees win be appointed to push such
bills in the federal congress and the
various state legislatures as have for
lheir object the encouraging and fost-
pring OF agricultural education. Nor
have the legislative assemblies in the
different states been inactive In this
direction. Three years ago Minnesota
established ten Putnam schools and
ons year ago twenty more. These
schools have revolutionized the com
rnunities IN which they have been
placed. They have awakened ana en-
iivened the people because they touch
ia the heart and soul of the community
through their liveliest interest their
farms and their homes. Wisconsin
mas ner aBTAGMthFaA h4&N SCHOOLS. ali
applicants for certificates TO teach In
wisconsin must pass an examination
In elementary agriculture before being
"a licensed. North Dakota has her an
proprfatlDns for agricultural high
schools and etata aid for progressive
rural schools.
Scarcely b state university or agri
cultural college III now without reg
silar1v organized and active extension