Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1914-10-20
SCHOOLS AND DRESS.

The public school system of Ameri- ca is intended and ought to be the essence of Democracy. Is it?. It is and it isn't.
 ] Insofar as the administration is concerned it is, because all are given equal rights. If it isn't the essence of pure democracy, it is because the i peopie snvlnselves prevent it from being so. .aBM While people of wealth will display their democracy by sending 'hei- ch'idren to the public schools, they will dress them extravagantly The people of modest means endeavor 10 follow the pace set by their more wealthy neighbors,' sometimes at the expense of other members of the family and always at tine expense of the savings for the proverbial rainy day. The children of the really poor are of necessity clad differen Thus is created caste, snobbery in our most democratic .nsttutloA
 r But worst of all, the desire of the people in poor or moderate circum- stances to emulate their weaiihy neighbors provokes extravaganza they can i'll afford. Yet who is it can blame them? The parent is not ye. created who does not believe his child as bright as any other and as much entitled to the best there is. Never theless, it is wrong principle and one that is gradually eating into our boasted democracy and making of America nation entirely different from that intended by the founders of this government.
 It is refreshing 10 ascertain tha some mothers at least, are sensible to the dangers of the present condi- tion. At meeting of the patrons Of the Marshall (Texas) High school last week this problem was discussed, a1 agreement reached and this reso- lution adopted:
 Resolved, that we hereby agree to see to it that our daughters who are attending the high school shall con- form as far as possible, to the follow ing regulations for school dress, viz: That plain skirts and either shirt waists or middy blouses, or simple gngham dresses De worn ill school and that the wearing of silk, laces and jeWerly, as we'll as the use of paints for the faces, be discourage among the children.
 Resolved further, that We use Oul influence to secure the cooperation of other patrons not represented her. today, to the end that the needed Z dress reform in. tine schools may be- come general and that no child may be subject to embarrassment of being more plainly clad than her associ- ates."
 It was also decided that a canvass of the patrons of the school should be made to secure the cooperation of those not present at the meeting
 These ladies of Marshall are doins something really worth while. Par
 ents of this and future generation. will rise to cali them blessed. It is regrettable the public schools have not followed the example O.
 some private educational institutions
 that have adopted simple uniforms and thus avoided creating caste based
 on wealth or the lack of it.
 A movement has been launched ii Pine Bluff for the formation of { , simplicity club among students at tn, , Pine Bluff High school. This is . good plan and should mee twith th' cooperation of all, especially o1 those school patrons who may be thu
 fortunate possessors of more wealtl
 than their neighbrs. It is dut.
 they owe the people.
 The Graphic hopes this movemen
 will be success, and that it will
 eventually be followed by rule re
 quiring all public school pupils to b attired in simple, comfortable uni
 forms. and another forbidding the wearing to school of jewelry or any