The Commonwealth. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1911-1914, 1913-10-30
CITY SCHOOL ELECTIONS.
Working Class Should Wake upl

Now that the capitalists have made
war against our teachers, now that the
class war the world over RACES as
never before, now that free speech and
freedom of the press are threatened as
! they have not been threatened for
more than hundred years is it not
time that we of the working class
should come to see the significance of
the schools?
Their frantic efforts to keep the So
cialists out of the schools should teach
us the deep and abiding need for our
getting into the schools. Let them
raise the cry of politics, Every day in
capitalist schools they are teaching
! the ethics of the master class. Is it
any wonder that the schools are turn
ing out race of scabs?
Let us make it plain at the beginning
of this campaign that we are not seiz-
ing the schools to teach politics to the
children. Did you ever realize how
silly it is to teach little siX-year-old
that he should vote the Socialist
ticket? Did you ever realize how out
of place it is to think of having him
memorize the Socialist platform? Not
as a matter of policy but as matter
of sound pedagogy we leave this kind
of nonsense to our capitalist mentors.
Let them burden the child mind with
political platforms from away back
Let them teach the great virtue Of
''Hamilton's financial policy and the
great good that came from the "re-
sumption of specie payments" That
but reveals their unfitness to teach.
That but reveals the depths of their
ignorance of child nature.
Work of the Socialist Teacher.
We of the social revolution have
work to do in the school room that is
not political. 1t is scientific. 1t is to
prepare the child mind for vital facts
and for reasoning about vital facts. 1t
| is to Danish from the schoolroonf che
political and metaphysical trash that
has there accumulated and stagnated.
1t is to bring into the schoolroom
clear conception of nature and of his
tory, to bring back to child life the
spirit of play and free development
long lost in the maze of examinations,
promotions and midnight cramming.
It is not to teach subsection and sub
mission, but to instill a love for free
and fair discussion and the spirit OF un-
trammelled democracy in all things.
We want to drive from the schoolroom
forever the hurry and worry of child
life that capitalist greed has planted
there. We of the working class are in
no hurry We believe in growth.
1t is now up to the enemies of prog
ress to raise the cry of alarm. Let
them raise it. That is healthy sign.
That but shows that we are hitting
the bullseye. That but shows us that
we should keep on our course for the
conquest of the schools, not for politi-
cal purposes but to prevent their be-
ing used for political purposes and for
economic purposes inimical to the
working class.
Recation Versus Progress.
Every engine of the reaction will be
used against us. Pope, potentate and
pickpocket will pelt us with anathe-
mas. But before us we see reaching
on into the future the coming race!
They are our children, and all that
they will ever suffer will be dut to
ignorance concerning the vital facts of
life, due to the inculcation of false
ideas. In the hands of our enemies
they will be taught the ideas that will
perpetuate their slavery. The school
book is a more powerful weapon OF
the reaction than the policeman's club.
On the first Saturday in December
in all cities of the first and second
class there will be an election for
school directors. Socialists will be
,neglectful in their duties if they fail
to strain every effort to win places on
the boards in these cities. Make this
your answer to the fight that they are
putting up against Socialist teachers.
Nominate now. Make a systematic
canvass. Distribute literature. There
. are leaflets at the state office left over
from last year Enough funds are not
ION hand to warrant the printing OF
others and newer ones. Get subserib-
ers for Socialist papers as You cover
/ your territory.
J. e. SINCLAIR.
Arlington, Wash