The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1919-03-27
EDUCATIONAL COLUMN

Inc CRITICISM OF this Depart
ment Of last week directed to-
ward the teachers of Rankin
County called forth a lengthy
and we'll written editorial defense
of our educational system. | wish
with all my heart that we were
worthy of such a championship.
Mr.. May is a great booster.
never meant for once to say
that we have not made progress.
We have. In the time that ! have
been teacher, and my first and
my last work has been in my
home county-Rankin has made
considerable advancement. But
do say again that we are not
living up to our privileges, and
that our record is not "enviable."
It is true that unlike Mr.. May
have not had the opportunity
to visit each and every school in
the state and thus make COM
parson. But as an earnest stud
ent of educational affairs and
first hand knowledge of facts and
figures complied by authorities;
and by personal association with
three other counties where / have
taught, find that we do not rank
with the first counties of the
state. And that is Rankin's right
and Rankin's privilege Our people
are as intelligent as any, our
children as talented and resour-
ceful.
l am not knocker but an opti-
mist who would make the best
of things as they are" And l
contend that to get to the top OF
hill it helps>u us to see how
much further we must go as we'll
as how far we have come.
l know too that roads have
been bad this winter, but. other
people get to Brandon, why not
teachers? The live organization
of teachers will bring. inspira-
ton to all, the weak and the
strong. I'm the multitude of coun-
sellers there is wisdom" l call
ed district meeting and got on
ly one response. Is not that a
minority?
AS to Mr.. Mays statement
that the teachers not taking
hold of the Thrift Campaign and
the Junior Red Cross ought not
to subject them to newspaper
criticims-I will only ask this
question: If these things are not
needed now, why does our great
government urge them upon us
with such insistency, and furn-
ish us at such expense with in
structions, and helps for carrying
them on? The National leaders
and the State leaders say they
must be pushed. Why don't we
do it? We should never give up
trying until we do have an envi-
able record. Others are doing
these things. Why not Rankin?
regret very much that l can
not publish this week the names
OF all teachers who have enroll
ed in the State Teachers Associa-
ton, as | promised last week
would. But | made the statement
without consulting the Superin-
tendent and he tells me now that
many teachers have enrolled di-
rect with the state officers so he
has no way of getting at COM
plete record. He says we will
have a good showing in the as
pOCldClOu WIlcll We are ulCdSuEcU
UP with others. Of this / am
very proud. But | wish every
teacher in the county who has en-
rolled would so notify Mr.. Bull
lock SO we could know when we
reach the 100 percent mark, and
! could publish the list of those
who are enrolled. Many coun-
,, ties have already reported 100
per cent. Why not we?
If this good natured discussion
should result in putting just a
few of our people to studying
our school advancement and TAX
ing stock of what we have with
view to improving conditions,
I am sure all concerned would be
very happy. Only my love for
Rankin and my county pride
made me bold enough to chal-
lenge Mr.. May who is so true a
friend of the county and of my
self.