The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1920-10-25

AN asset to Oklahoma. not liability,
(6) The latest survey Of all the
educational systems ot the different
states and territories OF the United
States m the spring OF 1920, places
Oklahoma seth in the list compared
witn our sister states. This survey Is
has d primarily on the amount OF
money spent in each state per pupil
and per teacher per year, cons ering
enrolment and attendance. Here is
purely impartial and striking evidence
that Oklahoma is not doing enough
financially for her common sci OILS.
Every citizen who has pride in Ok
lahomas good name has now al OF.
portunity 10 make Oklahoma lead the
Union. Certai-ly we don't rare to re-
main the 3"th state in the Union edu-
cationally
"a Why not let the whole state
help the Common Schools? The state
now supports the higher educational
institutions. Who goes to these col
leegs and universities An inspection
of their enrollments shows that tho
students are five TO one from cities.
wealthy school districts. and counties
now fighting this amend lent Ger
tainly state aid to COZ ION schools
will re~ch more people and do the
state lhore good, ths the funds 60
ing to higher institutions whose stu.
dents are primarily, and in great ma.
jcrlty, from wealthy centers.
The state is now spending from 500
to 5000 per year per capita to educate
/ 5000 people at higher institutions. Yet
there are three-Quarters of million
boys and girls in our common schools
asking for one-tenth es much u large
part of which may come from the oil
and corporate wealth OF Oklaho. Ia.
(S) The insane asylums, eleemOsy-
nary institutions. prisons and reforma-
tories are filled with inmates from
where? BY actual count the cities and
/ counties now fighting this amendment
furnish twothirds (2-S) of the inmates.
Yet, the whole state is taxing tself
to support these necessary institu.
tons 1t would be absurd TO ask each
local district, city. or wealthy county
to suppori its own criminals and in
sane. VI lose same centers re not
willing to aid the poorer school dis
tricts TO support decent schools,
(9) This amendment does not mean
an '~crease in tax f. those districts
which do not need addit al funds
for schools. The local le ! may be
cut down in any proportion deemed
advisable by the voters in each school
distric,. II simply makes a certain
definite aid available from the state
each year so that school boards may
not be embarrassed in their attempts
to give the district respectable
school term under proper standards.
10), I'xamples OF what some of our
sister states are doing for elementary
schools Oil an annual per capita basis
are: Delaware SIS, Washington $40,
and California $50. with many other
states doing likewise.
1D Who were the first opponents
OF his proposition The railroads, the
corporations, the oil interests, and
those cities and wealthy school dis.
tricts who saw that they must pro.
vide the money for better 'nmmon
schools under this amendment. When
this bill was filed in April, Il ~ be.
came at once busy. Offices were
opened, statisticians employed, maps
made, speakers employed for pay.
agents sent out over GER III sections
OF Oklahoma to cite il lid and
graphic figures the loss them.
Others have since been misled into
opposing this law. But II Is destined
to put our common scho"l system on
its firm footing since statehoot and
for all time to come.
Q2) Already having the funds
they need and more. with which Ia
operate their schools, some OF our
wealthy districts have tak0n On a very
selfish attitude whereby hey oppose
this amendment which Is calculated
TO assist their weaker colleagues
Yet, this amendment does not rob
these same wealthy districts OF one
! cent of the money they now get. and
in addition gives each also 500 per
pupil. the same as ii gives the weaker
I districts VITO now wish TO 90 stronger
for their schools but can not on ac
count OF constitutional limitation
Surely the dogs in the manger' will
net fight better common schools for
, the whole state, they already enjoying
these benefits themselves.
Q3) Misled opponents of tn Is
. amendment have tried 10 intimate that
II will operate TO draw the children
away from the farm. Nothing could
be further from the truth. On the
, contrary, the very purpose OF thi:
: bill is to keep our children in the ru
raj, consolidated. unlon.graded and
, small community schools by giving
, them the same advantages as obtain
in city schools. Then they will not be
: compelled TO move to the cities.
: Q4) Thousands Of our rural chill
, dren now transfer each year from
: their home districts IN order to OBJ
tain better school advantages. Man,
: more thousands are not able even Il
I transfer and consequently are never
, In reach of high school Out OF III,
> 67S,l06 school children in the state
250.0Ol are in reach OF high schools
=, The remaining 423,l05. or nearly two
: thirds, are not in reach OF any higi
school,
! (l5) Big centers of wealth and pop
. ulation should not oppose his amend
: ment. Such cities are founded on III,
patronage OF the surrounding country
Even where such city loses 4 few dol
= lars on the education OF the childrer
: o. the remainder OF the county o
= state. II IL building an asset for itsel
! In good will and better citizenship.
: Q6) Some OF these same ditsrict'
!, now draw eight. ten and more dollars
per year for each pupil from the oi
. within the county.
r u7) What is struggling distrlc
!, TO do when II has gone the limit Ia
l. cally To support It's schools and find