Newark post., 1913-01-08

country every day, conventions are
being held at various places, at.
tended by delegates from most OF
the States in the Union, for the pur,
pose of discussing the different
kinds Of material to be used and
the best methods of construction
The time will soon come when the
State will be compelled to build
such a road as Mr.. DUPONT now of
fers 10 build, and the cost of the
! same will be very great.
EDUCATION.
There is no institution Of the
State more important than its
schools. 1t behooves us therefore
to be constantly alert to their
changing needs and to encourage
their progress by liberal legislation
and by ample appropriations.
Our schools have increased great
ly i'll efficiency in recent years. but
the progress has been confined
largely to the graded schools. The
rural schools have made little real
progress. 1t seems to me. there
fore, that the problem of the rural
school should receive special atten-
ton. The local district is too small
a unit for efficient administration.
and II seems that some steps should
be ia ken towards the consolidation
Of the districts in order to provide
for better school facilities and
more economical aad efficient adj
ministration.
The qualifications Of the teach-
prs IN tn" schools are becoming
higher every year and the salaries
are slowly increasing. The teach
ers in the schools will not do their
best work unless the system of sup
ervlslon Is more strict At present
the superintendent visit the aver
age rural school once year, some
times twice. Unless the teachers
have the frequent help and sugges-
tons Of these expert supervisors
much time is wasted in the schools.
a large portion of the money spent
for the schools is appropriated di-
rectly by the State. would re-
commend measures leading to clos
er supervision Of the schools as
wise economy.
The State Board Of Education
was specifically charged at the last
session of the General Assembly TO
recommend legislation to you. They
have been carefully considering
questions of taxation, improvement
OF rural and graded schools. raising
the standard of efficiency of teach
ers and methods Of instruction, and
other school problems. They will
doubtless make a complete report
to you, and | hope you will give all
school legislation the careful and
liberal consideration its Importance
Delaware College is assuming
more and more its proper position
as the head of the school system of
the State. 1t has steadily increased
III efficiency and power, and the in
should no longer be hamp-
cred by the lack of a liberal charter
! would recommend the careful
consideration of the charter pre-
sented by the State Board of Edu- +!
cation, and the continuation of the
reasonable appropriation the State
has heretofore made.
Our school system will not be com |
plete until the State makes some
provision for the higher education
OF women. A school is especially !
needed in which our young women
can properly prepare themselves
for teaching in the public schools. /
The sentiment throughout the
State, | believe, is heartily in ia
vor of measures leading to the es-
Enlistment of a school for the high
er education Of women. The State
Board of Education has been charg
ed with the specific duty of report
ing to you the best plans for the es-
tabishment of such a school. and | |
would recommend its most favor
able consideration the finances Of
the State will allow.
The State College for Colored
Students is in excellent condition.
The institution is well managed
and is constantly increasing it's
usefulness. 1t is our own institu-
ion and must be given all reason
able help in carrying on its work.