The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-04-10
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CIVIC EDUCATION.
The aroustng Of q statewide civic
consciousness and civic interest among
young and old by means Of discussion
Of live questions OF local concern in
the school house and ut the country
crossroads. is the undertaking OF the
University OF North Carolina, accord
ing to . bulletin from the pen OF
Arthur w. Dunn, that has just been
issued by the United States bureau OF
education. The university stands ON
the doctrine of Wendell Phillips that
agitation is education. Agitation IL
marshalling the conscience of q nation
to mold it's laws
With a record Of emphasis upon
debate from its founding In 1875, the
university. has gone about it to sys-
tematixe and universalize discussion
of every conceivable question Of vital
local interest. not only by the youth
of the state in the high schools. but
by adult organisations Of farmers, of
women, or Of any other available
group.
For some years graduates Of the
university have established debating
clubs in the schools where they have
gone to teach, members Of the faculty
have answered communications. and
materials have been sent to all parts
Of the state from the university IL
brary and the state library commits
sion. Recently a high school debating
union was organized. including more
than one hundred schools. to conduct
statewide debating contests.
AS a part of it's extensive plans in
this direction the extension bureau Of
the university has just issued man
ual on public discussion and debate
''tos stimulate discussion Of public
questions chiefly by high school stu
dents, but also by community clubs
and public organizations" This man
ual suggests a large number OF ques-
lions Of Immediate interest In North
Carolina A considerable number of
the questions are analysed. arguments
pro and con being given. References
are given to easily available material,
much Of which may be obtained by
application to the university, to the
library commission, or to public Of
fices. In addition to this, instructions
are given as to how to organize for
such discussions and how to conduct
them.
/ While some Of the questions sug-
gested for discussion are of national
significance, the chief value Of the
work Of the university lies In the way
it focuses attention upon real prob
lens Of immediate local concern. For
example. it is Resolved, that --
county should provide a medical in
spector Of schools; that all county Of
ficers in county should be
nominated through~a legalized direct
primary; that the stockman is a worse
enemy to the forests Of North Carolina
than the lumberman; that the town Of
- should establish a tax sup
ported library; that 1t is expedient for
-- county to increase the salaries
Of its public school teachers at least
rs per cent: that the farmers of
- should form a cooperative
marketing association. These are only
illustrative of a wide range of subjects.
The manual points out that public
discussion in North Carolina during
| the past decade has undergone a most
desirable change. Emphasis hitherto
placed largely on things political and
national. is being placed on questions
affecting the everyday life Of North
Carolina. To make this change even
more far-reaching. every North Caro-
lima community should resolve itself
into community club and devote
itself seriously to the quiet, persistent
study of its economic. social, educa-
tional, and religious problems.
1.-The plan of organization and the
method of procedure in such clubs
should be simpler than that of the
| school societies. Their object should
be open. frank, earnest discussion. The
building up Of a strong, constructive
community spirit. and community in
terest should be a second object. Out
OF such discussions, characterized by
such a spirit. will inevitably come the
solution of problems upon which the
welfare of the community absolutely
depends.
J IF a place of meeting is the onl,
obstacle in the way of the formation
Of such a club. the local school house
can well be used for this purpose. Il
: ought to be widely used and made thu
real social center of the community