The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1914-04-06
CIVIC EDUCATION
THROUGH DISCUSSION
The University OF North Carolina Stimu-
lates Interest in Local Prob
lems

1ne aronsing OF statewide civic con
seriousness and civic interest among
young and old by means of discussion
of live questions of local concern in the
schoohouse and at the country cross
roads, is the undertaking OF the Uniyec
sity of North Carolina. The university
stands on the doctrine OF Wendell Phil
lips that agitation is education. 4 sita.
ton is marshalling the conscience OF a
nation to mold its laws
With a record OF emphasis upon de-
bate from its founding in 1895, the uni
versity has gone about it to systematic
and uniyersalize discussion of every con-
ceYable question OF vital local interest,
not only by the youth of the state in
the high schools, but by adult organiza-
tions of farmers, of women, OF of any
other available group,
For some years graduates Of the uni
yersity have established debating clubs
in the schools where they have lone
TO teach. members of the faculty ha
communications. and material
have been sent to all parts OF the state
from every university library and the
state library commission Recently
high school debating union was organ
lied, including more than 100 schools,
to conduct statewide debating contests.
As part of its extensive plans in
this direction. the extension bureau OF
the university has Just issued manual
Il - 80
ulate discussion of public questions chief
~ by high school students. but also by
clubs and public organiza-
tions." This manual suggests a large
number of questions OF immediate in
terest in North Carolina. A considerable
number of the questions are Analysed
pro and con being given.
References are given to easily avail
able material, much OF which may be
by application to the univer-
sity, to the library commission, or to
public Offices In addition to this. in
structions are given as TO how to organ
ze for such discussions and how to con-
duct them.
While some OF the questions suggested
for discussion are OF national signifi-
,ance the chief value of the work OF
he university lies in the way it focuses
attention upon real problems of immedi
tie local concern. For example, it is
Resolved, "sq+
"That county should provide
medical Inspector OF school;
"That all county officers in ---
county should be nominated through a
egalized direct primary;
THAT the stockman is a worse enemy |
o the forests of North Carolina than the |
THAT the town OF should |
.stablish unsupported library;
. "That It is expedi6pt for -
ounty TO increase the salaries of its
public school teachers at least % per
ent:
''That the farmers of -- should
orm a cooperative marketing assoeia
ion"
These are only illustrative of wide
ange of subjects.
The manual points out that public
DISCUSSION in North Carolina during the
asst decade has undergone most desir-
BILE change. Emphasis hitherto placed
argely on things political and national
; being placed on questions affecting
he everyday life of North Carolina
% make this change even more far
eaching. every North Carolina commu-
ity should resolve itself into COM
lunity club and devote itself seriously /,
0 the quiet, persistent study of its eco
omics, social, educational, and religious
roblems.
1.-THE plan of organization and the
lethod of procedure in such clubs should
e simpler than that of the school soci- !
ties. Their object should be open, frank,
arrest discussion. The building up of {
strong constructive, community spirit,
nd community interest should be a !
acohd object. Out of such discussions,
by such spirit, will in c
gitably come the solution of problems
pom which the welfare OF Che commu-
ity absolutely depends.
"If place of meeting IS Tho onls OBJ e
.acle in the way of the formation of ,
Ich club, the local schoolhouse can y
ell be used for this purpose. It ought a
, be widely used and made the real Il
,cial center Of the community"