Evening journal., 1921-02-11
new SCHOOL
LAW URGED
BY CLAYTON
Continued from First Page.


ton the audience adopted the follow
ing resolution presented by Mrs. G.
I. Brigham. which will be forward
ed 10 the State Legislature:
Resolved, That this meet
ing gathered under the auspices
OF the educatianal committee
OF the New Century Club. en-
dorses the bill drawn under the
direction OF the City School Sur.
vey Committee, which is now
before the Legislature carrying
out the recommendation OF the
recent federal survey OF the pub
lie schools OF Wilmington.
DR.. Claxton lauded the American
school system which he declared was
the keynote OF Democracy. without
this institution OF education he said
public health, material prosperity
and wealth, social purity and po-
litical liberties could not prevail.
The public schools have become
characteristic OF our nation and all
I OF the foreign powers have commits
sions in our midst studying our plan
OF higher education.
DR.. Claxton spoke or the vast re-
sources OF this nation and the
amounts OF money expended annu-
ally for cigars. cigarettes and the
like as well as tips to hotel porters.
for liveried chauffeurs and the like
while the children are neglected.
Many people think" he contin-
ued. "of the natural resources such
as agricultural value. iron. gold and
, silver. But all these are nothing II
the people are not educated. lie IL
lustrated this by naming China, In
dia. Spain, Mexico and other coun-
tries rich in natural resources. but
poor because their people were not
educated. He named in contrast Of
this Denmark. Switzerland and nu-
merous other countries. who, in
spite OF very poor natural resources.
we're prosperous because OF the edu-
cation OF the people.
DR. Claxton lauded the public
school system which, he said, should
be non-partisan and nonssectarian
but he added: Il have nothing but
contempt for the man who sends
his children 10 private school and
asks TO be exempt from contribut-
ing towards the public schools"
The school system here should
be brought up TO the ideals exem-
plihed in the new bill even though
Il should be necessary to issue bonds
TO do so. The doctor continued; 81
do not approve OF paying for things
by this system as a rule. In most
cases II throws our debts upon our
children. But in the case OF any
ing to do with the schools the benefit
is directly for the children. and
when they are men and women they
viii thank you for having issued the
bonds as a means for providing them
with equipment 10 fight their way
in the world.
IL cannot believe that God Is
pleased with people who erect beau
tiful churches and cathedrals with
stained-glass windows and wonder
I ful architecture and then send their
children in black holes, where there
are the seeds Of in health and death.
A school building should be built in
reverent spirit as a temple OF
childhood"
The school system of the future
he said. would cost three times as
much as it has cost in the past. but
I he added II have no apology to
make" He spoke OF the present sal
aries paid teachers, which he said.
were far below those paid good
cooks and one-half OF what is paid
10 a fairly good stenographer.
In referring to the Delaware sys-
TEN OF electing the school board.
DR. Claxton said the board should
not he too large to be cumbersome
and slow moving. but Il should not
be too small He advocated the
seven member board, but he said
IFS functions should be purely legis-
lative and its business should be
transacted as a committee OF the
whole. II should prepare its own
budget. and this should not be
changed by any other body.
In speaking OF the schools OF VIII
mlngton, ne said they were as well
as could be expected considering
that they had been built back In the
time when a school house was just
b "A place where children oause 10 learn
few lessons. when they knew moth
( ing or school room architecture
heating sanitation.
b 1T was all right" he said when
only part OF the education was re.
ceived In school the routine beine
supplemented by outdoor exercise,
p on vacant lots outdoor chores. hunt
ing foxes and hares and numerou,
other strengthening employments
b. This outdoor exercise kept the chill
dren in fine health and encouraged
in them that initiative for which tn,
American people are known.
II believe men and women VIII
give 80 per cent. OF their time II
: feeding, clothing and rearing chill
o dren should vote on all questions AZ
- fecting the education OF the chill
dren and not stocks and bonds.
II don't know who is responsible
for this law do not know OF an
similar law in this country. ] don
r. suppose the same principle is az
IN piled 10 building jails OF in eiecun
s. Congressman or Senators. and
D. hope the liberty loving people Z
Delawars will free themselves e
this law"
Following the address those pre-
us ent, on motion OF Mr.. Miller ~
he Dr. Claxton a rising vote of thart
The Rotary Club. at It's lunc hsf
. was addressed by DR. Claxton D.
will go 10 Dover this afternoon
speak before joint session OF q
Legislature.
The modern idea, Dr Claxton 10