Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1913-03-06
Jefferson County.
Editor REGISTER

Editor Register
The report of the 1910 census discloses
the fact that the strictly rural population
OF our county decreased quite little dur
inp the past decade, while the urban pop
ulation increased in most cases 10 an
alarming degree. In county so neces-,
sarily and SO happily rural this condition
ought to arouse inquiry. AS long as our
county has only purely rural actlViileS
within il, as long as we desire JEFFERSON
county to be regarded as one OF the typ
ical rural counties of the United States, II
certainly behooves us to make inveStlga-.
ton as TO the cause OF this depleted Iural
population and arrive at some Speclilc 10
bring about a changed condition.
The question then is, Why have the
bows and girls, the men and women, OF
our county LEFT their happy, prosperous,
inyigorating surroundings and crowded
themselves into the gloomy, uncertain
life of the town? This question IS worm
the study OF every loyal Jeffersonlan, and
ifs speedy answer will result in return
TO the halcyon days OF lew years ago,
in a renewal Of the social interests IN the
county, and IN retention OF Inc orains on
the farm, with general upilit throughout
the entire community. We are moi lea
10 believe that the community lie OF inc
country is in a desperate condlnon, out
simply as being in condition Suolect 10
great improvement.
Deeply carved upon the frieze OF the
new Union Station in our capital city one
reads. as he enters, the following tribute
10 the farm life: "Foundation OF Civilized
Society: Best Home OF the Family.
This enconlum paid to the excellence Oh
farm life ought 10 inspire our boys, ana
even our older men and women with the
ambition TO foster this excellent lie and
make il worthy the tribute offered. nal
tribute should be a motto in every school
and ought 10 be so fastened upon the lives
OF our boys and girls that they will be-
lieve II as the very truth it is With such
an outlook, such an estimate placed upon
the lite large majority of us live IN OLD
Jefferson, why is II that our population IS
decreasing? Do we fail to live up to the
ideal? Have we forgot the call OF the
country? Have we tailed to acce the
challenge OF the soil?
For years the school system OF our
county has been made the object OF much
praise throughout the State. Our long
term of nine months, our proximity 10
the Normal School, our good roads, our
excellent teacnerS-theSe all have been
held by us with much pride. But with
all this, are our schools educating tor the
tarm life or are they educating away from
the farm lite? In d spirit OF best critl-
clSm, ask you to ascertain II our schools
are dong all they are capable OF doing to
make the outlook as pleasing and as al
tractive TO the boys and glrlS OF the coun-
try as they should. Are the schools los
tering the true country spirit, or do they
present The best pin 'SeS OF town lite IN
contrast with the worst phases OF country
lie? Do the directors OF the scho Dis aid
the teachers 10 the highest possible de-
gree in making the rural school a place 10
Oe sought rather than one to be avoldeuf
Do the taxpayers shrink from urging the
board of education 10 make the district
school levy plenty high enough 10 meet
the demands for demonstration expert
mental work in agriculture and home eco
Monies? Are the textbooks Tor the
schools chosen with reference 10 the
needs OF the country school. or does the
city influence assert itself more strongly.
Do the Normal Schools make the prepa-
ration of rural teachers the motive IN
their work, or is the city or town teach
er the type sought2 Are the Normal
School graduates lifted 10 teach agrlcul-
lure, home economies, sewing, dalrylng,
and the countless other phases OF farm
life, or are they only fitted TO teach agn-
culture as science 10 be studied as a
Tar away subject and not one be prac-
tlSed?
My plea is for the boys ard girls otthS
county, and through them for the better
ment OF the community IN which we live.
My plea is for the uplft OF the social lite
OF HE community, plea for the devel-
opment OF that high type OF rural life that
NIll make the country the desired home
OF the farm owner, plea for condition
OF affairs IN our rural community that will
make ii ideal.
1t is within the possibilities OF the
brains of our county to reach the ideal, to
make every Jefferson county home the
Best Home for Family. Shall we make
the effort?
II this finds finds itself worthy your
consideration. later you shall have dis
cuSSed A number OF thing that will tend
to develop The condition desired.
Chenille, w. Va, Feb. p, 1918 I'VE