The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1912-04-18
jR. HATFIELDS PLATFORM on
WHICH HE WILL RUN FORG0VERNOR

AnAie persons convicted for the first
time of a felony, when the punish-
ment fixed by the court does not ex-
coed confinement for five years. and
giving to the courts discretion to
sentence them to hard labor on the
public roads, Instead of sending such
persons to the penitentiary.
Such law would not only enable
us to build. improve and keep in re,
pair our roads, but would wisely give
to the courts the discretion to SEN
tence persons convicted for the first
time of felony and who are not
professional criminals. to work on
the public roads OF the state, instead
OF combining them in the penitentiary,
where they will become contaminated
by association with criminals who
are beyond reformation.
Education,
The most important subject OF all
those to be considered by the people
of the state is the education OF the
children. What West Virginia shall
be in a few years from now depends
entirely upon the manner In which
that part of our population now Of
tender years is made ready to dis
charge the duties deyolying upon them
when they have arrived at maturity
The advancement of public educa-
ton in this state in the last few
years, under Republican rule, has
been remarkable. 1t has seldom been
equalled and never surpassed, but
much remains yet to be done. l wish
to lay down as fundamental propo-
sltion, that money, honestly and iudicl-
ously expended on our public free
schools is money well spent Along
no other lines can such tremendous
returns from an investment be de-
rived.
The citizenship of state is its
most precious possession, infinitely
mott SO than mines of gold or prec-
ieus stones. extensive forests or large
areas of coal, for to all these things
there must some time come an end.
But that state which has built up for
itself body of highly educated and
honorable citizens will be able to en-.
dure with happy homes and increas-
ingrprosperity, finding new resources
and new ways Of caring for them
when our present resources have been
exhausted and the industries incident
thereto have vanished.
Therefore, in the day of prosperity
it is we'll to take thought for the
future, and the best way to do so is
to see to it that every child who is
growing up in West Virginia is not
only provided with the opportunity
TO secure as high degree of educa-
ton as he is capable OF. receiving, but
also that he takes advantage of the
opportunities thus afforded and that
in the best possible way.
To this end the element of highest
importance is the common schools
both in the city and country. We need
better school houses, more comfos-
table furniture, more and better APP
paratus, and more sanitary and more
pleasant surroundings. And, since
the school teacher is the most vital
element of good school, we must
not for moment forget the necessity
of constantly improving the character
of our teaching force, both in general
education and professional ability.
Teachers should be paid salary COM
mensurate with the Importance of
their work and the position they hold
in the community.
For the benefit of all children who
have completed the course OF study
prescribed for the common schools, a
sufficient number of high schools
should be established. In times past,
the common school has been called
"the peoples college because SO few
children ever advanced beyond it..
But in this age of greater opportuni y
ties and rapid development to OBJ
tain even a moderate success in life
demands more than common. school
education. No parent having the in
terest of his children at heart can
or will be satisfied with less than a
four years high school course for
them. And there should be in West
Virginia sufficient number of these
schools. and these SO conveniently To-
Gated as to enable the children of the
poor TO have as ready access to them
as the children of the rich. The coun-
try boys and girls should have as
good an opportunity as those of the
towns and cities.
Our normal and teachers training
schools should be made such in the
e,,Itz,t 4-.arA tI,o