The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-04-11

become ehject-lessons for the general good.
 Schools would be the center of attrac-
 ton for everything; debating clubs, spell ing bees. candy pulls. games. singings, lectures political speeches, picnics etc.
 Let the young enjoy life under such good
 supervision. They will better meet after
 responsibilities Ali work and no play | makes Jack dull. boy
 IL would be well to require such teach CTS to pass examination in phrenoiogy. This would enable them better to un- derstand and guide different natures.
 But the legislature may say 1t is im- possible with a depleted state treasury and so much rascality before them to enact any such expensive legislation now. Let it wait awhile. That is the very best of reasons why it should be done the first thing.
 To me et this expense add from s1 to B taxable valuation on every acre of un- ploWed land except that used for pas ture within half mile of a self-owned and occupied farm house, sufficient to produce enough taxes for this purpose i That would force speculators to bear their share or improve their lands so all
 would De benefited Timber grows and increases iu value 10 per cent year, so owners Of these lands can well afford 1 this increased valuation.
 Let us see how we spend money. The people of the United States spend every year for liquors $500 600 GOO. for tobacco S45a. coo GOO; twin destroyers of human life
 For school books only s12,oOO0o0. Reverse this Le- Alabama spend her share of this S9o0,t10, 900 on public schools and see
 how 1t will improve the images of God.
 Many people and newpspa pers proclaim Alabama to be the wealthest state in
 the Union Why so much cry about local taxation for public schools? Some even
 advocate getting teachers to donate their services part of the year to eradicate illiteracy in Alabama. Have the latter
 forgotten that teachers or their parents
 as rule have had to sacrifice much to
 get an education. Some borrowing money to do so. and that their time now is needed to repay such obligations? Fur ther than that, many illiterates own homes and farms and are better able to bear their shortcomings than are the teachers nho are asked to help them Besides il is like pouring water into a
 sieve. so long as President Wilson's horde
 of illiterates are all wed to deluge--us from Europe.
 1 Children follow their ia ather's and teach CTS examples. It behooves us, therefore, i to set good examples. Solomon says The
 that ove-cometh himself is greater than he that taketh a city," Alabama hath
 honored itself by cutting out liquor: let l it further distinguish itself by refusing certificates to tea chers or allowing them to teach who use tobacco. l may have something to say entirely new on this subject in a couple of days -
 While the foregoing is particularly laid out for rlral districts, equal provisions
 can be made for towns and cities. There
 vacant lots can be taxed.
 Now that so many committees are studying the states welfare, will not
 some senator or representative less busy.
 draft a bill to meet these requirements .
 In talking with one of them lately he
 expressed his hearty approval but was quite sure the legislature would not pass it
 Let all who favor this, write their representatives, insisting on such law.
 It is time the peoples wishes were re- spected and that they find there is more to be done than hang around Montgom- cry, smoking. drinking, etc
 To start the ball rolling. as soon as the above becomes law I will donate to the state 10 acres in four different school districts for this purpose.
 Oxford, Ala.