McNairy County independent. (Selmer, McNairy County, Tenn.) 1902-1969, 1914-02-27
United States Census Reports.
Population of McNairy County,

l9l0-16,356
These figures show that the count,
has lost population in the last tel
years.
Ten years ago law was passed il
Tennessee which encouraged the es
tablishment of county high schools
Since that time sixty of the counties
have taken advantage of state en-.
enlargement and state financial aid
and established more than 125 high
schools.
These high schools are not merely
poor limitations of city high schools
They have courses of study arranged
primarily for the farmers boy and
girl Agriculture and Domestic Sci
ence are given such an important
place, that these schools are usually
called Agricultural High Schools"
Under the guidance Of competent
teacher, the science of farming is
made so interesting to the boy, and
the science of acknowledgement is
given such new aspect to the girl,
that much of the dissatisfaction of
home life is removed, and the longing
to quit the country life for the city
ceases.
Whenever such high schools are
established in county, the elemental
ry schools become better. There are
two reasons; first, High school sub
jects are more interesting high
school students are older and enjoy
the work. Their enthusiasm spreads
to the lower grades. There is some
interesting thing ahead of me" the
elementary students think. In 1912
there were 1900 students in the first
grade and only As in the eighth grade
attending the schools of McNairy
county. The Majority of them evil
IDENTIFY did not feel that their studies
were leading them anywhere. Sec
ond, when high schools are estab-
lished, the county begins to prepare
its own first-class teachers. A girl
or boy without high school educa-
tion is not qualified to teach, and
many counties will not allow them to
do so.
The establishment of high schools
e4ualizes the opportunities for all
boys and girls. 1t takes more educa-
tion in these days to be successful
than it did years ago, and many peo-
pie are not able to send their children
off to school, paying tuition and all
expenses. Thus, all sons and daugh-
tiers do not have an equal chance for
an education.
A determined effort is made in all
of the county high schools of the
state to be thoroughly practical and
to be of the highest benefit to the
community. Among other things,
the boys are required to do practical
things on the farms owned by the
school, or on the farm at home. But
one day man said to me, "I'll teach
my boy all he needs to know about
farming, you can't show me nothing
new, for I've done wore out two
FARMS" He told the truth. He wore
out the farms through ignorance, and
he can't be taught anythiug. The
Bible says that the man who claims
to be perfect is liar. The same is
true of the man who knows it alp.
Most of the counties of Tennessee
which have so far refused to establish
high schools have been losing popu-
1
lation steadily. There is no doubt
that many Of .McNairy's most pro-
gressive citizens have moved to other
counties, that their children might
have better opportunity for an edu-
cation. Many of McNairy's most
ambitious young men have left, in or
der that they might have better
chance. Since high schools have
been established in other counties Nc.
Marry has lost in population.