The sea coast echo. [volume] (Bay Saint Louis, Miss.) 1892-current, 1917-02-17
Letters From the People.
A Plea For Co-Operatic1 For County Schools

Editor Sea Coast Echo
II were endowed with great talent
# speech and were it possible for me to
call together all the people OF the "old
historic" county Of Hancock would ap-
peal to them in the most sympathetic
manner to sustain the spirit of co oper-
alton. Every true citizen is under many
ish'igatioas that bea: relation to his
feiiowmen and his community at large.
For this reason and because The Echo
is such loyal supporter of all that is
good and all that tend to help US on,
consider it no imposition to ask for
lspace just here.
| 1t is with regret akin to sorrow that
| face the close of the public school
term of 1916 and IT. Heretofore our
school term has been six months, but
VERY much to the disparagemsnt of the
rural citizens of our county the term
has been cut to five months this year.
After very serious and worthy con-
sideration, rendering justice to all con-
cerned, it can be easily seen that this is
not due to teachers being paid too much,
neither is it due to the administration
OF cur superintendent of education, nor
the sad fact that some term it the con-
soiidation of the public schools.
This sad state of affairs is due to the
fact that the esprit of cooperation"
has not been properly sustained. Some
| time ago I wrote to The Echo express
| ing my opsnion Of the splendid condi-
ton of affairs that then existed. Today
a shadow of gloom seems to be cast over
the whole county and many are won
dering why it is in it's present condition.
It is due largely to the fact that the
people fail to cooperate with the legis-
lative officers of our county. Political
influence hus much 30 do with the re-
tariing of the steps Of progress. Many
times public officers forget the fact that
they should have the interests of the
people atheart and only linger along,
| longing lor the time to come for their
warrants to be issued. Now this is very
serious; present day endeavor demands
| the highest type of manhood and we
should more firmly cooperate with our
officers, and by SO doing we can Sc
cure better measures.
Family, community and school CO.
operation is essential and it is absolute
| Unnecessary for the people al a whole
to strive for one good cause, restoring
unity and peace, before any good can
be accomplished,
Law and order must be preserved;
knowledge OF government is necessary
! for every good aud useful citizen. the
raising of the standard of intelligence
and the rendering OF justice consists in
the elimination of ignorance. This can
! only be accomplished through the spirit
of cooperation. Cooperation devel-
ops harmony, making better homes,
7 better schools and better churches,
I therefore, developing better citizens.
Corporation causes parents who are
lax TO keep their children in school a
sufficient length Of time so that they NAV
learn OF evils and how to avoid them:
of the good effects of proper living and
the detrimental effects of improper liv-
ing, OF life and how to care for the
health, of good citizenship, how to be
better enjoying more happiness and
prosperity. Cooperation fits and pre-
pares US for complete living, gives us
strong, progressive schools and better
citizens, therefore, placing US in a
stronger county and greater Missisip-
pi.
! With hopes for better schools, I am,
am, sincerely,
@. Fl. SMITH.
i Sellers, Mise, Feb, 1917.