Milford chronicle., 1919-10-10
Mr.. HUGHES FAVORS FAIR
TEST FOR The SCHOOL CODE


Mr. James H. Hughes OF Dover in ref
! erence 10 the new school Code print
ed in Every Evening yesterday. &.
timely. pertinent and appropriate Al
so. it Is q practical and valuable sug-
gestion 70 those who heretofore have
been in active opposition TO the Code
and VINO may perhaps, even now feel
far from favorable towards IT, nOtwith-
standing its validity has been unani-
m0usiy sustained by the highest au-
tlOr.ty in our State Mr. Hughes. as
counsel for some OF his clients, who
looked upon the Code as an enactment
not altogether in the public interests,
was among those who argued before
the courts IN banc against the laws
and as counsel did his full duty TO his
clients. But now speaking a a citi-
zen, and as one who has long had a
deep interest in the success Of our
States educational system, he urges
acquiescence in the verdict OF the
judges With a firm confidence that
the people OF Delaware are law-ahid-
ing and believe in doing things in an
orderly manner. he says: Il believe
they will accept the verdict of the
judges and, if properly treated. will
give the new law a fair trial. This is
the spirit in which ! shall accept it,
and | shall advise those whom / have
represented 10 do the same" And with
the hope that the cost Of the expert
ment may not be too great. he con-
cludes: 1T will be worth the cost if it
leads to the adoption Of Improvements
that may meet our needs"
We hope Mr.. Hughes sound advice
will be generally accepted by all who
have taken part in the recent campaign
Of opposition to the new School Code Z
Il is the right view of the situation, a
square exposition of public duty. The
time and attention heretofore devoted /
to opposing the code may now be prof 7
itably applied to a close study of its
actual operations, with a view to as
certaining its effective features as well
as its weak points, il any it may have.
II is Of equal importance that the good
be recognized and held up TO public
view, and its inefficient, weak or IN
satisfactory points be noted. The road
to needed changes is open, and the
time that lies between today and the
regular convening of the legislature
is none too long for a reasonably fair
test Of the law. And this il should
have, not only at the hands Of its ac-
i've administrators, but al the hands
lf all the people, friends as well as
hose who have heretofore opposed it.
Even the most persistent opponents
If the new School Code cannot but
recognize and admit that the public
schools Of Delaware are far from what
hey should be, and that the old sys-
EN- stood in sad need of important
amendment in the direction of inn
Improvement. to a very
considerable extent. was the end aim
d at by those who framed and urged
he enactment of the new code, and
My by trial Of the new system can
/ be demonstrated whether it will ac-
0mplish this end, or still leave much
o be desired.
This is, in general, the view taken
" a great many citizens, including
ONE Of those who were active in the
opposition that led to the judicial test
the law. The judgment of the court,
q the opOniOn of the Dover Index, in
he course Of an able review of the
ituatiOn that now prevails, will be
ccepted, and if the State Board. the
Ounty Boards and their officers will
Sc common sense and diplomacy the
Nv will be given a fair trial If in its
peration it proves better than is ex-
ected and the schools do improve
luch of the the present opposition
'ill disappear. Defects will no doubt
G discovered and they can be rem
died II the law does not work ad-
or if it is not really what
e need in Delaware it can be replac-
] by a different one. We must all
saliZe that our schools are in need of
Improvement, and that we should not
D back to the old system. A less
'astic law passed with the consent
the people who have to live under
and pay the bills would no doubt
and a better chance OF success, but
ter all, il we are to have a change
Id we do not see how we could toll
ate the old defective system much
niger, perhaps we had as well make
e leap now and try an entire new
an. If the new plan is ever to meet
ith general approval, and it cannot
Icceeed without such approval, it
ust be made to meet not only our
eds but must be adapted to our con-
tons. If this can be done in its ad-
well and good. Let us
re it a trial To give it a fair trial
must work together and the people
lst be recognized. reasoned with and
nciliated not criticized and driven.
is unfortunate that consolidation Of
itricts has been attempted so soon
d without consulting the districts
ected, and that many other foolish
ngs have been done. Every means
the power of authorities to relieve
rdships and make the operation of
law acceptable should be used this
II and changes should be brought
,ut as gradually as possible. There
no doubt many who will cOntinne
opposed, but the
crest of our children is close to
hearts of most, and II il is proven
there interest is being served we
overlook much that we do not
' like"
Iere is a full and generous express
! Of the proper spirit-to give the
' system a thorough test, a fair
. To this end let all good citizens
} have a sincere interest in our
lie schools bend all their energies.
re is every reason TO believe the
ats will be Of great usefulness.
TEWEC