Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-05-10
FRIDAY EVENING, MAY 10, 1918.
PETTY POLITICS

PETTY POLITICS
The attention of The Herald has been called to a
pamphlet entitled ~The Problem of Rural school Better
ment' published under date of June, 1917, and now in
general circulation. The pamphlet was prepared by
State Superintendent Of Education N. c. Macdonald.
Mr.. Macdonald has advertised himself industriously
as the friend Of the farmer and Of the farmers school.
the rural school. Like others Of his type he assumes that
the way to please the farmer is to abuse everybody else.
In pursuance of the purpose to convince the farmer t-at
he is being robbed md defrauded Mr.. Macdonald tells
his readers that the farmer is getting short changed in
the matter Of taxes, that there is no need for the favor
itism shown the cities so long as they are able to build
palatial mansions for school purposes, and uses a lot Of
other stuff Of which this is a fair sample: !
Tho pohtico-social condition is found in
the effort Of the cities not only to dominate in
the rural school situation, but to domineer over
it. They sometimes resort to petty politics to
determine institute and summer school conduc-
tors and assistants. They sometimes incorpor-
ate and use great areas Of farm territory but
do not arrange the terms to suit the children
from the farms. . = They are some
times interested in the rural schools. but often
1t is in the same way that a wolf is interested
in a flock Of sheep.
And SO forth. The whole tone Of the publication
is such as to convey the impression that the inhabitants
Of the cities Of the state are a lot Of idle rich, sitting
in masnifcently appointed onces and seeking whom
they may devour.
Now no sane person denies that tho rural schools,
not only Of this state, but Of all states, have Jagged far
behind the procession. That fact is due to a number of
causes, some Of which may be removed By legislation.
Blu. the simple fact that is known to every student Of
the subject is that aside from all other reasons, the peo-
pie Of the cities have better school buildings. and longer
terms. and more advanced courses, and better teachers,
because they voluntarily pay more for those things
They pay not merely more in the aggregate, but more
per dollar Of property value, and more per capita. And
these school taxes IN the cities are not paid by groups
of millionaires. but by people in all walks of life, the
majority OF whom are in very moderate circumstances.
Take the city Of Grand Forks. for instance. 1t con-
talns about 5000 people. Its assessed valuation runs
around 100000. And in Grand Forks, as, We believe.
in practically every other city in the state. property is
rounding country districts. That means that the assessed
valuation Of this city is about 1855 per capita. We do
not know how many men there are in the city who would
be called rich. But when the assessed valuation is only
$3.50. it is evident that il there are a score OF. rich men
in the city. there isn't much left for the rest.
The fact is that the bulk Of the population of this
and every other city is made. up Of people Of small in
comes who. by working hard and watching the corners.
are .ust about able to make ends meet. They are clerks
and machinists. carpenters and plasterers, with a large
proportion Of common laborers who. during their work
ing days, must provide for maintenance on the very large
number of days Of idleness due to weather. season and
other conditions over which they have no control
BY all means let the rural schools be improved. But
there will be more chance for improvement when there
Is placed in charge Of that work an official who will de-
vote honest effort to 1t. and who will not spend the money
Of the state in plying tho arts Of the demasosue and
trying to ret one group Of our citizens against another