The Green Forest tribune., 1913-01-03

f Wisdom avails itself of experience We should discover the defects in our present system and seek to remove them. Direct your attention briefly to few reforms required in the edu- cational system of this state.
 The university, the state normal and the four agricultural schools should be provided for by special tax rate to | be known as the educational rate.
 Political influence.
 This special tax should be inde- pendent of the state school tax now be- ing collected. The primary purpose of the proposed educational rate is to remove these schools from politics. Under existing conditions they are maintained from the general revenue | fund. The demand on that fund is so great and comes from so many sources | that the represe esentatives of these great institutions and members of the gen. eral assembly who feel vitally con- cerned in them, are compelled to en- gage in unseemly scrambles and log rolling to secure necessary appropia- tions. That this is true is known to all. The educational rate would put an end to lobbying in behalf of these institutions and thus place them all where they belong; on a secure, inde- 1 pendent and permanent foundation.
 "A rate of one mill, divided approxi- imately in the proportion of one half for tho I1nivarcitv. ion nor oopt ao ob for the four agricultural schools, and the remaining ten per cent for the State Normal would be adequate. The probable increase in the assessed valuation of property would likely pro vide such additional revenues as the growth of these schools will require. This, however, is merely suggestive and by no means conclusive.
 While institutions like the univer- sity, the Normal and the agricultural schools, are capable of securing recog- hilton for the state, no greater and more powerful factor in true develop ment exists than our rural schools They invite and require our best at tention, our most devoted service. What tribute have not the common schools of Arkansas earned? Have they not been the very nursery of that which is commendable in our history? How many men and women of renown have received the inspiration which has prompted them to struggle and enable them ii triumph?
 Next in importance to sanitary school buildings are higher salaries for the country teachers. They are generally underpaid. The salary scale has not correspondingly increased with the cost of living. This tends to make the occupation of the rural teacher more and more stepping stone to other pursuits and professions
 The element of self-sacrificS can perhaps never be safely eliminated from any pursuit or profession. From the beginning of time men and women have yielded themselves to the grip of the master and compelling passion. the desire to do earnestly and we'll some particular thing. Nevertheless, since teaching is from many stand points the most important work in which one can engage, it should invite talent and stability of purpose by pro- viding reasonable compensation.
 Our state government, now burden ed with many grave questions, must not permit this subject, general educa- tlon, to be neglected of it's importance or to be minimized. To it's wise and con- servative, yet certain promotion, the incoming administration, in so far as your speaker can control it, shall be consecrated."
 Meeting Date Changed.
 The time of meeting of the Teach CTS Association has been changed to the week following Easter Sunday. The next meeting will be in 1914. Some favored holding the annual sessions on Thanksgiving and the two days fol- lowing, but those who favored Easter, argued that this would give the teach CTS much needed break in the monot- ony between Christmas and the close of the. school term.
 Election of Officers.
 Dr. Charles Hillman Brough of Fay i etteyille was elected president of the association; Prof. J. L. Bond of Little Rock, secretary, and Mrs. Dora l.. Kimmons, Fort Smith, treasurer. The vice presidents are: w. NJ. Grove, Wardell, First district; Jud R. Bull lington, Batesville, Second district; D. F. shannon, Fayetteville, Third dis trict; G. A. Sullards, DeQueen, Fourth district; S. c. Swearingen, Little Rock, Fifth district; w. c. Cruce, Monticello, Sixth district; J. p. Wom- ack, Magnolia, Seventh district. J. w. Kuykendall, reelected member of the Board of Trustees; E. E. Hulen, Poca- hontas, and Edgar Williams, Blythe