Evening journal., 1920-03-23


the time and In comparison win olhcr
States.
To this end the General Assembly
authorized IN 1911 a commission 10
hsrmonize, unity and revise the school
laws. to develop an educational system
suited TO the conditions existing In the
State. providing for an improved ana
efficient administration OF all tree
school matters" The result OF this
study was the amendment OF our school
laws and provisions for a complete re-
organization OF the whole system, now
defined and outlined in what Is known
as the new school Code.
incidentally II might be OF Interest
10 anv that those OF national authority,
ACQUAINTED with systems In the vari-
Gus States. look upon Delaware as the
coming leader I'm education. To project
such a system into administration ana
10 thus shift the position OF Delaware
TO her rightful place in the rank OF
States has naturally created radical
changes from the ease OF the old way
and caused local and temporary In
convenience. The costs have neces-
sarily greatly increased. II we would
raise our standards, the salaries OF our
teachers must be somewhere commen-
surate with the demands OF conditions
OF living. We are paying less TO those
who teach our children than TO the
poorest unskilled labor. Aside from
! the shame Of our neglect and cOnsidera-
ton. we must offer them at least a
living wage. To refuse longer will only
leave our schools in the hands OF those
4 in trained and incapable This, with
other increased costs OF the times, will
make necessary a tax on real estate
that will be seriously burdensome. In
some localities ii may be almost pro-
lhibitlve The State should render flnan-
clal relief
Public schools was, in times past,
subject 10 local standards. The type
OF building, the course OF study, regu-
/ lation OF attendance and administra-
| tlon were decided by the community
The opportunity OF the boy or girl was
decided by the whim or wisdom OF the
| taxpayers.
Today. that idea does. not prevail
I among those interested in civic better
ment and Stale welfare.
Education is a State function. In
/ der State supervision the opportunity
/ to the child does not depend on loca-
ton. Under the system now being
projected. the boy OF poor parentage
in remote district has equal advan-
/ tage with the son Of the rich and the
wealthy graded school. To such boy
and such district the new law offers
| the greatest advantage.
To make this possible. something
must be done to relieve the tax on the
farm Fortunately the finances OF the
State. Treasury are such that this can
be done Without embarrassing any
other OF the States obligations, a suf-
! fcient sum can be set aside from the
General Fund 10 give the relief needed
/ and necessary. With more money in
the States Treasury than ever before.
| IL ls not only fortunate that this can be
done but 10 Is only right and fair. For
| by so doing every school district and
community. will thereby benefit and
have a share OF the States finances.
Just how and to what extent the
relief Is given rests with the legislative
branch. |. as executive, merely present
! the suggestion with the assurance that
State finances are fully ample 70 re-
lleve the strain.
The State Board OF Education should
receive your highest commendstion for
their work. Their gifis OF thought,
time and wealth TO the State can never
be reckoned. We are indeed fortunate
In Delaware 20 have such citizens who
give so unselnshly and ungrudgingly
OF themselves and OF their wealth to
US and our children.
/ NN0nfT cttroocl -,
them for information. They are GER
/ tainly more familiar with the issues
than is possible for any OF us 10 be.
] Viewing the problems disinterestedly
/ and from State standpoint, they are
in position 10 render valuable assist
ance in your deliberations. bespeak
for them their best cooperation.
This, gentlemen. is all. You are for
tuned with a wonderful opportunity.
You are charged, too, with a serious
! responsibility.
/ We are living in stirring times. For
my part am giving my best thought,
and energy to my day and generation
! The force Of all The Truth, as is given
me TO see the Truth. Is given TO the
/ problems OF the day. Understood and
misunderstood. l intend by the grace OF
Him who rules eventually in the Courts
i Of men, so 10 continue.
The tasks set before you are charged
with vital results The ideals con-
ceived in the word America are not
yet fully realized The problems pre-
sented are not personal, political or
sectional Upon your acts here today
depend largely the welfare Of tomor-
row. They challenge your best thought
Upon you depends more than ordlnar-
ily comes to a representative Of this
Assembly.
Your serious attention is indeed an
honor. Thus. 10 be able to serve Del
aware Is worthy cause-and History
and Times expect you 10 be worthy.
VIII S0N W0N'T