Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-05-23
From Other Viewpoints
Arc We StinEy I'm Educntiont
BY PHILANDER z. CLAYTON.

In the United States we are in theory a,
least, committed to the principle of public
education as are the people of no other coun-
try IN the world. We know that in n democ-
facy everything waits education-hcalth
wealth. civic Righteousness and virtue, politi-
cal wisdom. national strength and safety
Our government is founded on the princi-
pie that all me are created equal with certain
lna!ienab!e rights. We know that mono Of
these rights can be secured without universal
education of a high order. We have proclaim
cd tho doctrine of equality of opportunity for
all the children of all the people.
We hold that all just government is derived
from the consent OF the governed. We know
cannot be for the good of the people except
as the people are Intelligent, instructed and
trained for self-government.
We reject the autocratic doctrine that tho
individual exists for the State and hold to the
modern doctrine of the supremacy of man.
lord OF all institutions, even tho most sacred
LOT whose services, welfare, and happiness
state and nation and ill their institutions
exist.
theory that the only way TO help anybody is
to help him to help himself, and that right
education Is the only effective means and self
help.
we glory in our schools as the most char
acteristlc institutions of our democracy
Some OF US believe or seem to behave that
we are burden!nG ourselves beyond belief with
taxes for the support of these schools.
The unsupported State-controlled public
schools we supplement by private and pa
rochial schools, private venture business
schools. endowed colleges and universities
a!i. IN cHect. pubic schools, whatever the
source Of their support or the me thod of their
control
Every knows that whatever wealth
he may accumulate he must finally leave 10
his own children or the children OF others and
most men believe, profess TO believe that
IL is far wiser to the children's money for
their right education than to leave IL for their
good or their hurt only as they may be able to
spend II with knowledge and wisdom or in TO-
norance and folly.
And just what do we do?
a careful calculation based on the most re-
hab!e hSures available shows that for all the
purposes of education, public and private
from the Kindergarten through the college
university and technical school, and for ali
Kinds Of special schools. as schools for the
dcaf. the blind. the feeble minded ordinances
commercial and business schools schools OF
music ana arts, and whatever else including
expenditures for the pay Of teachers for ad :
mnistration for lands and buildings and
equipment. for their upkeep for heat and
l'Eht and water for schoohouses. and for all
other purposes. we are cXpcnding for tho edu-
cation OF our children an average OF s4o5 60
Not si?5.tO year. hut n total of s4o5 co
through all the years OF life till thew leavo
school or college for the work of life and
for the duties and responsibilities of citizen
snip In democracy in which ali thing. do
pend education. Wv
Docs this sum OF s495.G0 Indicate thc mn
measure of our faith in education? Arc wo
willing to accept il the Indication OF our
devotion TO tho welfare of country and to
the happiness of our children in so far az
this depends on education? =
Is this sum efficient for all the purposes of
sducation for 70 children of the leading ma