The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1915-01-08

tuib DtnthNtnt lcelsidOOn mtEnt 10
preserved. Under the pretext OF I'm
proving the law Il can be easily emas-
culatcd Ohio assumed the lead In
this legislation, and II the funda-
mental principle Is maintained here.
the plan, by its demonstrated worth,
Will be adopted elsewhere. This
means the ultimate loss OF ill-go.tcr
millions by potential interests t.at
have grown rich from the tears,
blood and manned bodies of our work.
ing people. They will not give 1t up
without continued struggle. Your
duty to humanity and to our state
calls for extreme watchfulness.
Predicts Educational Revival.
The subject of education shonld al
ways be transcendent in the aims and
purposes of those in authority. The
state of things in the world today
demonstrates the inevitable estab-
lishment of many more republics. We
not only live in the blessings OF geo.
graphical isolation from the lands.
OF trouble and tears, but we enjoy
as well the benefits flowing from in
stitutions builded upon the sovereign
will Of our people. Worldwide evolu-
tions are now upon us. Civilization
may be compelled to face an unpre-
cedented test, and it behooves us,
therefore, to see to 1t that behind the
suffrage expression of our people is
constantly improved standard and
al enlarged measure of education.
Every child in this state should have
the opportunity of good school ad-
vantages. They have not had in the
past in some sections. The depths of
neglect and inefficiency to which the
school system has drifted in some re-
mote sections is not only reproach.
upon a state as resourceful as ours,
but tragedy as well. I renew with
uEdiminished enthusiasm an appeal
in behalf of the rural sections and
urge only forward steps in education
We have gained too much to have it
lest. Folks have tasted the benefits,
OF modern rural system of educa-
ton and rural life can only be stimu-.
lated by our facing the right direc-
tion. Good roads and good schools.
must continue to be our slogan. They
/ &c hand in hand and the improved
facilities growing out of the present
program will cost less than the old,
while the social and economic advan-
tages can not be approximated. In
the past two years tne state contract
ed for the construction of $50 miles
CT modern highways--classified by
materials used as follows:
Br1ck .................. 1Se miles
Concrete ............... ISL miles
Macadam .............. 3lD miles
There is manifest awakening, not
only with respect to the permanent
In provement of the highways, but in
terest in the relative merits of ma
terial, and methods of Transforming
bad roads, at small expense seems
general. The working out of a more
efficient school system has given graf
flying impetus to the highway move
ment because better facilities for
transportation enter as an important
factor.
Previous to Sept l, 1912, there
were but 1872 centralized school dis
tricts in Ohio. In two years time
242 have been legally authorized;
and within the next four weeks cleo
tions will be had upon twenty-five
new projects. While the centraliza-
tion of schools is of great Importance,
the new school law, which empowers
county boards of education to redis-
trict the various counties for school
purposes, is doing even a greater good
as many districts have already been
in part transferred to adjoining ones
and the smaller part left has been
added to others by a vote of the cleo
tors concerned. 1t is indeed a great
movement, making not only for de-
creased cost of education per child,
but vastly improved facilities, as we'll
as better trained teachers.
In this connection it seems to me
that some plan should be devised OF
so conducting our three universities
as to make them cooperative. Doubt
less the trustees of the three boards
could devise a scheme which would
work benefit to each institution.
There should be discouraged any
movement calculated to generate ami
mostly as between them. There is a
useful sphere for thern ALL
1t is my further observation that
more girls dormitories should be
built at the universities. Under the
system in vogue their maintenance
costs nothing, as they are self-sup-
porting. They provide a home and
protection for young women whose
aims and aspirations bring them to,
the college seats.
congratuIates All ohoans.
Altogether, at the beginning of
new year and new governmental re-
gime in the state, we should all felici-
tate ourselves as proud citizens of a.
great commonwealth that our fiscal
condition is healthy beyond prece-
dent, that industrial iustica and