Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-30

are made in sincerity, but without ex-
act Information. When records have
been kept and when accurate COM
PARSONS have been possible, conclus-
i've and convincing evidence has been
produced to prove that the contrary is
true. the child of today compared with
the child of forty or fifty years ago, of
/ like age and grade is better speller,
better writer and more proficient in
arithmetic and other common sub
jects.
/ ''It is not, however, claimed that the
work done today is entirely satisfac-
| tory; in some ways far from IL, but
each year shows some progress. some
improvement, new plans and new
ideas. all having in view the same OBJ
ject-a greater efficiency. are being
evolved by an army of educators.
Some of the lesser essentials are grad
ually being curtailed and omitted and
more attention given to more import
ant essentials. all which will result in
more thorough work and a more prac-
tical and useful education. In the
same manner as all public utilities
which we enjoy today are on larger
and more expensive scale than were
the provisions for life in the colonial
days-so the public school is now
broader in its scope and more compre-
hensive in fits treatment of the chill |
dren of the community and this broad !
er public school means a more expens- |
i've school-means a larger payment !
for taxes.
Intricate Problems.
The problems involving our schools |
are intricate and numerous, the natur-
al growth and shifting of our popuIa-
tion, the annexation of adjacent ter
ritory. call for increasing facilities. all
problems to be carefully considered
and intelligently and conscientiously
worked out. We therefore ask your
personal interest in our schools and
school work and invite your criticism
and suggestions, and we earnestly ask
your cooperation, support and advice
in working out these problems which
are of vital Importance to the COM
To the members of the graduating !
class of 1914 | extend in behalf of the
board of education, our congratula-
ions on your having successfully com
Dleted your high school course. These
diplomas which you are about to re- :
;elVe are evidence of four years of
work. They not only signify that you
lave successfully passed your exami-
lations In the various studies Won &
rave pursued. but they have to me a 1
more important significance in that | l
hey are evidence of having success {
ully accomplished a definite object I
'or TOUR years you have labored and a
tudled with certain fixed purpose I'm 7
'iew' that purpose being TO so accom-. [
'lish the various duties assigned to 7
GU, as would enable You to partici- n
ate in these graduation exercises. and =
receive on this occasion a certificate
estifying that your work for these ,
our years has been approved by your II
and instructors.
In a Summer in Arcadv.' James
.ane Allen tells about a certain farm r
r boy who used to pillow in the fields !,
and the boy loved life and the beau :,
Itul things of nature. He was happv
lways this boy was singing. When ,
ometfmes he was late at work and q
ia sun was sinking below the horizon Il
great burst of glory, he would
ave his pillow for a minute and climb j
pom height to watch the wonderr,l N
icture. And then, says the story no
ould return TO his work and his sing
x.
AS you go out from school 10 take :,
the cares and responsibilities OF =,
e. ! commend to you the example of :,
g FARMER boy who always returned 4.
MS work singing. No matter what =,
ur station in life may be. you will be -
ccesstul ana happy If you have in
NV definite and noble purpose. and
I've manfully, persistently and cour- fe
eousiy to successfully accomplish n;