Evening journal., 1915-01-08
FRIDAY JAN. 8. 1915
EDUCATIONAL AND OTHER ISSUES.

q ONERNOR Mlld4ERS acute and intelligent interest
~ in the cause Of education is revealed more
in the message just read to the legislators praise Of
the work of Commissioner of Education Wagner, the
members of the State Board Of Education the several
county superintondens the entire teaching force
is well deserved. His Recommendation that substantial
increases be made in the salaries of the State Com
missioner and the county superintendents rewards
Tor important work worthily performed should be
acted upon favorably for the benefit Of the public
school system in State His appeal for action
wh. n will result in consolidated graded schools be-
ing substituted the oneeacher schools in the rural
districts also is commendable and supported by ir-
REPUTABLE argument He insists that If separate rural
schools were consolidated and FIVE more OF these
brought together at some central point combined
into one good graded school, there would follow larger
classes. better teaching facilities increased interest
better attendance all these things being accom-
plshed with practically the same money is eN
pended upon the separate schools
70 is no. part OF the Governors plan to force
tolidation upon the rural districts Tho principle Of
home rule in the matter receives fun recognition AS
he secs &C. consolidation to be successful and efec
tive should be decided upon by of the citizens
Who reside within the districts where consolidation is
proposed In other words, that it shall be matter Of
privilege rather than of compulsion with
able State aid feature Of the consolidation plan The
Governor calls attention TO the fact that rural school
attendance in Delaware is very poor, much below the
average in other States He insists that IL is large
ly to the that the one-teaoher rural school
not offer the proper inducements scholars to at
tend
Poor attendance Injuries the efficiency of a school,
creates in the communities and among the parents
lack faith and interest IN the subject Of education
all of which invites adverse criticism and encourages
a spirit Of antagonsm toward the rural school," the
governor says pontedly and adds that remedy for
~tAat-condition is the consolidated graded school,
What the governor says about Delaware College and
SIS experiment station the Womens College OF Della
and the Affiliated College Commission are historic
audatory rather than recommendations The tenor
MS reference thu Joe Frazer Field and the $685.
600 endowment fund raised Delaware College shows
clearly that he looks further substantial gifts to Del
leading educational institution. Public interest
will be excited by the recommendation that State
take advantage. for the benefit Of the Delaware Col
lege Experiment Station of that provision OF the
Smith-Lever bill which stpuates that If our State APP
proprate $4,000 in annual instaments of sl.2S1 the
Federal Government will appropriate additional
$4,000, thus giving Delaware aggregate of $4,000
year home economics and agricultural extension
We take it that there will be division of senti-
ment With respect to making suitable appropriations to
the expenses of the neligeny- and ef-
fectve fight made by the governor and the Sanitary
Live Stock Board TO stamp out the foot and mouth
disease which threatened the livestock industry in
this state. Nor should legislative authority and aid
be denied to the board in the work eradicatng hog
cholera. which has become such a menace. Financial
should be made The suggestion that the law which
protects buzzards be repealed and that they be
exterminated carriers Of disease also will find favor
in the rural districts
Taken by the broad, the declaration in favor OF a
State tax on dogs so much for the purpose Of de-
irving revenue as to rid the commonwealth of many
worthless ours will be accepted with favor Those
who already pay dog tax in Incorporated cities and
towns no doubt will ask that they be exempted from
either the State tax the city town tax.
More liberal provision for the maintenance Of ind
gent deaf dumb and blind child wards Of the state
outside institutions; the explanation of Delawares
failure participate in the Panama-Pacihc Exposition
the erection of tablet in Independence Hail. Philade
pha honor of Caesar Rodney the suggestions bear
ing upon the passage Of laws amendaory OF the new
Revised Code; the plan to have the Attoney-Genera
appoint counsellor legislative advisor to tha
bills and resolutions properly and constitutiona
drawn: the giving Of travelling expenses to the mem
bers Of the State Commission Uniform Laws VIII
attend the joint meetings of commissions rep
resenting the several States and the recommendato
that the primary of all the political partie
be held on the same day prevent conscioness me
from participating in the primaries Of than on
party. matters that should receive serious after
hon BY the Senators and Representatives.
It in Difference 10 the wishes of the that tl
governor suggests that the legislative practice of in
posing executive duties upon the judiciary be abal
doned That he makes absolutely clear
Members of the Organized Militia of Delaware
not fail he highly pleased with the executive ree
ences them, viii the governors admonition re
the necessity for the organization Of four add
tional companies of militia to meet the Requirement
af the War Depa a-tmont go unheeded
The message contains ample evidence Of the Cove
nors interest in good roads and the safe and order
operation Of automobiles. ratrol system for ro
maintenance; the of wide tires on certain class
Of vehicles the OF automobile inspectors in ca
county and definite rules governing the revocation
automobile operators licenses in line with leg
lation passed in other States.
Enactment of a general incorporation law for L
government of towns such as is suggested by the go
cfner would much time Legislatures in futui
''sfsfofore each town has been compelled to have