The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-02-02
Voice of the People
Use Country Schools for Peoples
Pleasure.

Pleasure.
TIC the Editor of The Times Dispatch ::
Sir.-MOst heartily do indorse
your editorial of yesterday on the
subject of using the public school build
ings for any and all purposes tending
TO the bettcrment Of the people in the
community. socially, educatiOnally. or
in any legitimate way for their improve
ment and enjoyment.
! am strongly OF the opinion that
our country people should be most
earnestly encouraged to avail them
selves of these buildings by inviting
speakers 10 visit and address them on
any and all kinds Of su bjects, especially
on the anniversary days OF our great
men and great events in tn history of
our country, of the splendid triumphs
OF the arts and sciences during the last
century Of the wonderful information
furnished the world by the excavations
in the Old World. etc.
The University of Virginia Is doing
magnificent work by sending out her
professors to deliver lectures on all
sorts of interesting subjects. and every
com munity that possibly can raise the
cash to pay the university professor 3
expenses should do so. and send for
one to come and deliver a lecture.
There is no charge. as / am Informed.
for the lecture-Only his expenses must
be paid. There are hundred towns
and villages IN Virginia where these
lectures or addresses would be gladly
listened to and enjoyed. If some one
would take the lead in raising the cash
to meet the expense account: and IN
the good weather season there are
scores of appreCIative country com u-
mites where something can be done
\ few years ago the writer stopped
al d country schoOlhOuse, introduced
himself to the lady teacher and asked
her if she thought IL proper and ad-
visable to call on her patrons TO come
out on the approaching February
% at night. Washington Birthday.
and listen TO d talk on the ather
of His Country and the causes
of the great Revolution She promptly
responded that she approved the
proposition and would take pleasure
in securing an audience. The result was
a large audience. When the speaker
closed having noticed the enjoyment
of the talk by the audience, ne SAID
that if the audience approved such
neighborhood meetings he would come
back on Jefferson's birthday, the l5th
Of April. and tell them something OF
his life. character and career, and
especially of the great Revolution OF
Independence. The audience respond
ed favorably. and another large audi
ence gathered and listened for an hour
or more.
After a few days a note was re-
ceived from the same teacher asking
the writer to come again on Easter
Monday and talk about Easter. that
she would guarantee a large audience
The schoolhoUsc was more than nlled,
the ward was filed by young and old
and an hours talk was made about
Easter and the growth Of the Christian
religion.
/ verify believe the country people
are neglected. especially the country
women whose lives are devoted TO the
drudQerv Of housekeeping. The men
can and do 90 about and have their
social cnfoyncnfs far more than their
wives and daughters. and such meetings
a. are here mentioned Will give them
an outing several times a year.
Fling wide open the scnoOlhouSe
doors everywhere let iJ be the duty
Of the school supcrintcndonts. TO secure
-peakors. ~ possible. 20 go TO az many
-rhoolhouscs a. can be supplied ana
give free talks on any subject That
may bc selected Free. frank. run
and bold discussion OF all questions
apucrtSining 90 the welfare OF the
community tho county. tho state
or the nation. must OF necessity
lead 20 good results. The people not
only want more education. a. you say
in your splendid editorial. but they VIII
give hearty welcome 20 more light on
an the topics 81 tho day. whether u re-
Iatcs 10 agriculture. history. cducati"h'
poIifics on tho higher and better sense
1ffhat ehamcfuIIv abused word. science
art OF philosophy. Again I say. fiing
wide open the schoolhousc doors and
let the people IN To- enjoy Themselves IN
any way they may choose
G.. r. ALLEN
ry~-f~idue Va January p.