Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1916-12-28
RURAL SCHOOL NOTES.
BY w. CLYDE JOHNSON.

irons Of the district? And that last
year one teacher had to give up her
school because she could not find a
boadring place? Is that not suffi-
cient proof that larger consolidated
district is a necessity--a district that
can provide a teachers college? All
over the county it is becoming more
and more difficult to obtain board.
Many teachers are paying as much
for country board as the teachers in
towns pay and yet they do not have
the conveniences. Is it any wonder
that our successful teachers go to
town schools, where they are furnish
ed equipment-tools- work with?
Would you hire a man at present-day
prices and send him out with the tools
of 5 years ago or more? Then why
do the teacher so, and expect to get
your moneys worth?
In the last three weeks l have WIS.,
tied about 80 schools. Many i'm
provements have been made in all OF
them both in their equipment and
in their physical and sanitary condi-
tions. Some of these l wish to note
especially at this time. Others l
shall try to speak of later.
South Liberty is very small dis
trict with about $4,000 valuation.
But they are trying to have a first
class school in every respect. And
they are succeeding, too, altho some
of the taxpayers are not so liberal as
could be wished Miss Toalson has
some pupils that get very much inter
ested in reading and are hard to stop.
They have some good library books.
Besides some books she has bought
a chair, flag, some fine pictures and
a sanitary bubbler drinking fountain.
This was done with the proceeds of
a box supper. This is the way to
build up the school. l am glad that
many others have done equally as
we'll. May they prosper and their
numbersNpcrease.
Colds, diphtheria, sore mouth, la
grippe and many other diseases are
transmitted from one to another by
the use of the same drinking cup.
The drinking fountain removes most
OF the danger. Audrain now has a
half dozen or more. Another great
source of menace and discomfort to
the children is the dust Prof. Bray, of
Kirksville, says that SO per cent or
one-half of the dust is horse manure.
Although you do not believe in the
great danger of the germs that live
in the dust, do you want your child
filling his lungs all day long with
air filled with manure? All right then
join the number of those who are
oiling their floors. Get floor oil al
a cost of 40 or so cents gallon, and
good oiling. Then keep little to put
on as needed. Four or five gallons
probably will be sufficient for a year
The floor should be well scrubbed ant
dry before oiling. If this is done, i
will shine. Then a brush is much bet
ter than a broom. It costs more, blu
it lasts longer, does not stir up tn,
dust, and is much easier to use.
Or those visited recently, McClin
tic, Fox, Harrison, Lawder, Liberty
and Sun Rise are using oil. Harrison
also is using a brush. Mr.. Cf1tt i
loud in his praise of it, also of tn
oil as are all the others.
Four of the schools visited recent
have free text books, Fisher, Foa
Liberty and Crane. All are wei
pleased with them. At Liberty,
examined some of the primers, an
found them almost as good as new
Miss Diggs at Fox reports that he
pupils take better care of the dis
trict's books than they do of thei
own.
II someone were to offer you
gift of a $40 bill, wouldn't you glad
w accept it? The law makes the offe
to YOU. II at the annual OF specia
school meeting, you will vote FIRE
text books by majority of one, an
will provide the first four grades wit
free text books the first year; tn
next two grades the second year; an
the upper two the third year; the
the district will receive its proper
tionate part of the county foreign in
surance tax-about As cents per pu
nil enumerated each year. In mos
cases this will be enough to buy a
text books needed At present thi
money goes into the town treasul
les and does the schools no good.
Won want to help the children wit
IL vote for free text books. TIL
money is tag paid by all who bu
insurance of companies located
other States. Free text books wi
not increase the tax, but will distrit
ute it among those who pay It, Whic
60 not done under the present sy'
TEN.
Vote free text books and haV
them In the library ready for US
when school begins. Then If you at
a renter and must move, leave you
books behind you, and not have
buy a new outfit. If you do not wan