The pioneer-review. [volume] (Philip, Haakon County, S.D.) 1920-current, 1921-07-28
AN APPEAL FOR OUR
PUBLIC SCHOOLS

On the third Tuesday in June,
punctually at one o'clock in fifty
schools districts more or less in
Haakon county there assembled
he duly qualified voters for their
annual school meeting, and it is
no exaggeration to say that the
Devil had his inning that after
noon. In a good many districts
everything went Off smoothly en-
ough. In fact in some districts
there were hardly enough. voters
out to hold a meeting. But in
many districts there were exciting
times, and it is safe to say that
enough devilmentry was set afoot
TO keep a good many commune
ties embroiled for the rest of the
year. Some Of it will ultimately
reach the Office of the county sup
Ierintendent and the office of the
states attorney and those two Of
flcials will do their best to smooth
out things again.
One Of the things that stirred
up Ned in some of the meetings
vas the matter Of taxes. 1t is a
very natural and a very human
thing to start our economies in
connection with our schools. And
we are just human out here in
tIaakon county as elsewhere Some
times we think we are more so.
The time therefore seems appro-
praite to call attention to the ac-
ton Of the National Educational
Association few days ago at Des
Moines in publishing the following
appeal to school boards and citi-
zens:
This is no time for extrava-
gance in governmental expendi-
lures Appropriations should be
carefully scrutinized and all un-
necessary items eliminated. The
times demand the application of
the best business principles in the
conduct of public affairs.
However, there can be no re-
treuchment in the support of edd-
cation. Money wisely expended for
this purpose is an investment in
citizenship and an insurance ag-
ainst the revolutionary conditions
which exist in countries whose
people are ignorant and illiterate.
Our free public school system
is an integral part Of our free gov
ernment essential to its life and
prosperity. The only secure found
alton for democracy is an enlight-
ened and intelligent electorate. A
government of the people and by
the people can be no better and no
stronger than the composite citi-
zenship Of which it is constituted.
THE greatest need of our coun-
try today is competent, well-quali
fed teachers to train the future
citizens Of the Nation. We must
get rid if the incompetent and un-
prepared in our public schools.
The schools of tomorrow should be
taught only by the best, and
the profession Of teaching must be
made so inviting that it will at
tract and hold the best. Any re-
duction in the salaries of teachers
or any failure to properly appre-
ciate the Importance of education
turn from the teaching profess
ion those young men and women
now preparing for their hfes work
who should be secured for this
most important field of public SER
vice.
Let us cut down expenditures
for luxuries. Let US reduce appro-
priations whenever it can be done
with safety, but for the perpetuity
of those ideals and principles
which are nearest to the hearts of
the American people, there can be
no backward step in the develop
ment of strong, intelligent, pat
riotic citizenry, upon whom must
depend the reservation of the
things for which We have made
such sacrifice in blood and trea-
sure. The hope of America is in
her free public schools. To elevate
their standards and promote their
efficiency should be the purpose of
every American statesman and