The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1919-02-28

MfgrS., BuHalO, Nv. X.
was $63O.64, which is $243.OO less per
annum than the average wage paid to
scrubwomen in the United States
Navy Yard. Is there any wonder that
results are not always satisfactory?
Inefficient schools are almost in
variably the result of inadequate sup
port. Low salaries are driving many
good teachers out of the profession
and filling the ranks with the inn
mature, inexperienced and unframed
OF the 100000 teachers in America,
100000 are less than 20 years old;
10000 have served two years or less;
10000 have had no education beyond
the eighth grade; 100000 have had
less than a high school education.
The Federal Government should in
vestigate this great problem SO vital
to the welfare of the more than $4,000
600 children OF America, and give aid
and encouragement to the states in
it's solution. Our government has
been accused of giving more thought
to agriculture and commerce than to
education; more attention to live
stock than to children. The govern
ment should give no less attention to
those highly important agencies, but
more to education.
The promotion of social justice and
the general welfare demands the
equalization of educational OppOr-
tunities Throughout the country. We
sometimes boast that this is land of
equal opportunity, and yet we know
that all the children of America do
not have an equal chance for an
education. The heaviest burdens
often fall upon those least able to
bear them. Every American, how
ever fortunate his condition should be
deeply concerned in the fact that we
have in our country 1854, 900 native
born whites, 2,227,000 colored, and
1,65O,000 foreign-born who cannot
read and write. Where are these
found? Principally in the congested
cities of the north and in the remote
districts of the south where educa-
tional advantages are poorest, and
where they should be best. The light
must be turned on i'm these dark places.
We have spent billions Of wealth ami
thousands of lives to uphold our
ideals of liberty and justice, nor have
we caViled over who was paying
most. Shall we, as nation, begrude
a Jew hundred millions that every
child in America, whether born in
the crowded city or in the sparsely
settled rural district, shall have the
advantage OF a good common school
education? This is simply guarantee
ing equal rights and square deal to
all.
That the Federal Government
should bear it's part in the support of
public education is the natural re-
suit of a process of development.
Our school system began as a local
institution. First there was the sub
scription school for the benefit OF
the families i'm a neighborhood who
were able and willing to contribute to
it's support. Then there developed in
some localities schools supported by
local taxation, offering free the rudi-
ments of education. Finally certain
states came to recognize the impor-
lance OF education, and passed laws
establishing more or less imperfect
free school systems. Other states
followed, and gradually free schools
became general, but even today educa-
tional opportunities vary greatly in
different parts Of the country. Now
the broader aspect Of public educa
ton is being recognized, and this
great institution that was first local.
and then received consideration from
ne states. is now commanding in
creased attention from the Federal
Government. tit il fundamentally
sound that the nation, the state and
the local community should share in
the support OF an institution essential
to the highest good Of all. The prin-
chile of federal aid has already been
established along lines which are no
more intimately related to national
welfare than is education.
The other great nations are giving
particular attention to public educa-
ton since the war, and notwithstand-
ing their enormous war debts are ap-
more for this purpose
than ever before The Fisher Educa-
tional Bill recently enacted by the
English Parliament, is a most advanced
measure. Education is represented in
the Cabinets of England, France and
Italy. The time has come in America
when the great Importance of educa-
ton from the national standpoint
makes 1T appropriate and necessary
that department OF Education shall
be established to coordinate and al
minister the various educational ac-
tivities OF the Government, and that
the Federal Government shall give
aid and encouragement to the states
in the removal of illiteracy, the
Of immigrants, the
~motion Of physical and health
education and recreation, the pre-
baration OR teachers, the equalization
Of educational opportunities, and the
or our public schools, to
the end that every child and every
citizen in the land, entitled to the
protection of our flag and the Bless
ings of liberty guaranteed by our
shall receive freely what
Abraham Lincoln asked for all, An
,rr Pa++ara1 s+a~+ nnd fair chance i'm