The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1912-01-06
How Education Fared With
the LaWgiyers During Past Year

Without question the year 1911 was
productive of more educational legis-
lation of value than any previous year
In the history of the nation. Forty
three legislatures were in session, and
in all Of them, practically without ex-
ception, an attitude of marked friend
liness was shown to the cause of the
public education" This Is the state
ment with which James G. Boykiu,
editor in the United States bureau OF
education, begins his Forthcoming
government monograph, entitled Edu-
cational Legislation in 1911, from the
advance sheets Of which this article is
taken. Mr.. Boykin continues:
THE public school system no longer
occupies a place of minor Importance
in the deliberation Of legislative bodies,
and the chairmanship of a committee
on education now offers opportunities
for distinction and effective work that
are not excelled. No figure was more
conspicuous in the Pennsylvania legis-
sature In the last session than Senator
Tustin, and none was more prominent
| in New Jersey than Senator Freling-
] huysen; and so 1t was generally. Edu-
cation is recognized as the greatest
work of the state and leadership in
| its affairs is eagerly sought by men
1 of the highest type.
1.-THE past year was one OF peace.
prosperity, and unusual freedom from
| political strife-West Virginia and
Tennessee were the only states in
which political differences reached an
acute stage. The general conditions
therefore, were favorable. for there
was no overshadowing interest to dis
tract popular attentions the time was
ripe for substantial educational ad-
vances; able men were ready for their
advocacy, and the results are apparent
upon the statute books as the high
water mark of legislative achievement
in behalf of education"
Among the larger developments In
education during the past year, is the
beginning OF a movement to lengthen
the school term by reducing the num-
Der of holidays, subject which Mr..
Boykin deals with as follows:
Holidays.
'In Rome, in the time OF the repub-
lie, sixty four days in every year were
devoted to public festivals recognized
by law. The American republic has
not reached such number of holt
ago. The summer vacation. the Sat-
urday holiday, short sessions or no
sessions on stormy days, teachers in
stitutes, visiting days. sundry legal
holidays, and days of special observ-
ance have so lessened the actual
school time that scarcely more than
half the days in the year as a rule are
given to regular school work This is
a ook &I14 ,oI,r
cited comment; yet 1t was not So in
the earlier days.
Seventy years ago, or thereabouts,
the schools of Buffalo were in session
all the year around; those of Brook
lyn, Baltimore, and Cincinnati, eleven
months; New York City, forty-nine
Philadelphia, 251 days; Detroit, 259
days; Washington, 2as days; Boston.
224 days, etc. The change has come
ly been noticed.
"The most recent movement that af-
fects the situation in this regard is
that for the adoption of Columbus day
as a public holiday. Nine states,
namely, Delaware, Indiana, Kansas,
Maine. Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oregon,
IeAdS, ana SN6TuAOnb, nave QuTluE In6
past year designated Oct. IL as a legal
holiday to celebrate the discovery of
America.
"But signs of a reaction have begun
to appear. The Denagri law in Cali
fornia reduces the number of school
holidays to Saturdays, Sundays, Jan.
/, May 80, July 4, Dec. %. and Thanks
giving day. Ali other legal holidays
must be observed by appropriate ex-
ercises, but not by closing the schools.