Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-01-20

system is to fit and prepare our boys
and girls to obtain livelihood in after
years. But, running parallel with this
important work, should be the teacnins
Of thrift and economy; for. If our schoi-
ars do not acquire the habit OF saving
know how to wisely invest and judicious-
ly expend their income, their education
has been most decidedly one-sided. For
we all must admit that an educated
spendthrift is a greater menace than an
ignorant one. With these facts before
us. I sincerely urge upon every state,
county and local Woman's Christian
Temperance Union the Importance of
making vigorous campaign amongst
our school officials and impress upon
them the value of the work until 1t Is in
troduced into every public school where
the attendance justif1es it. If each schol-
ar in the State should save but five cents
per week, it would amount to more than
$50O,OO0 a year; or, in 10 years, to more
than $6,5000Oo. The enthusiasm of so
great q work ought to inspire every boy
and girl with a determination to make 1t
a success. Anarchists and Socialists are
not bred from property-holders; so, give
our boys and girls a bank account, and
let them know that they are identified
with the business interests of the nation.
and it will be to them one of the great
est inspirations to patriotism than can
be placed before them.
If we are to be successful in obtaining
the franchise for women, it will practi-
cally double the present voting popula-
ton. We are all agreed that too large
part of the vote is now ignorant. unduly
influenced and basely commercialized
The women are no better versed in eco
Monies than are the men; hence it Will
follow that this dangerous vote will still
retain its present ratio. Have We any
right to so increase the total vote until
we have first elevated the intelligence OF
the voters? The surest way to do TINS
is to train our girls to habits of thrift
and economy, and to instil into their
minds the importance of the sacred duty
we hope soon to see conferred upon them
To be familiar with the economical and
financial affairs of our municipality, State
and nation is absolutely essential to the
Intelligent use of the right of suffrage,
and it is the first duty Of the State to see
to it that every scholar is fitted to exer-
State must be cast in common mould,
and that mould in this nation is the COM
mon school! Teach our children habits
of thrift, and the wise use of their own
money, and they will be better fitted to
vote, to tax. appropriate and expend the
property of their fellow citizens. This is
one of the most important features of
governmental action. The lessons of
thrift and economy are capital to the
children of poor parents. Let us see to
it that these lessons are so thoroughly
learned that they may be a safe founda-
ton upon which these children may
transact business in the coming years.
ELLA A. BARTON SMITH,
w. c. T. U. State Supt. of School Saw
ings Banks Thorndike, Me-
This paper was sent to the State SUI
perntendent of public schools of Maine
by Mrs. Smith. and he returned it with
the following endorsement:
MY Dear Mrs. Smith: l have read
with great interest the enclosed arti-
Gle, and find no point in which | would
make any change. 1 entirely endorse
your position.
PAYSON SMITH.
For literature. address National Wo-
mans Christian Temperance Union,