Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1923-02-22
OVER HALF OF OHIO
HIGH SCHOOLS SMALL

The small high school-the one
with an enrolment of less than sew
enty-five pupils-is the predominant
type in Ohio. Of the 1883 high
schools on the State Department of
Education's recognizedAlist in 1921.
22,670, or nearly SO per cent, had
each less than sew twenty-five enrolled.
OF the first grade high schools,
those which maintain four-year
course, As per cent fell below sew
enty-five. One-fourth of the first
grade schools had less than fifty en-
rolled.
Ohio has 208 second grade high
E>schools, that is, schools maintaining
these enroll less than fifty boys and
girls There are II third grade
high schools, each offering two
year course All but five of these
schools have less than twenty-five
young people on their registers.
The prevalence of the small high
schools tells the story of the rapid
strides that have been made in the
way of bringing high school advan-
taees to the small towns and rural
communities. Eleven hundred high
schools in the state means an aver
age of twelve to the county. Three
per cent of the states population is
at present engaged in securing a
high school education.
The Blue Sky Law
ing the sale Of securities, known as
the blue sky law, has many good
features and has been useful and
valuable to the public during the
years it has been in effect. 1t has
provided measure Of protection to
investors who cared to invite and
use its protection and, to a degree,
has been in the way of and made
difficult the operations of the un-
scrupulous peddlers of worthless Sc
curities. 1t has not prevented frau
dulent sales, nor has any other law
in the state been successful to the
100 per cent degree. All blue sky
Legislation was much of an expert
ment, a venture into new fields, and
no state has been able 10 enact a
model law. Because of these facts
there is need for frequent revisions
of the law to include the wisdom
born of experience. to close the loop
holes discovered and to erect safe
guards at points of demonstrated
weakness.
House Bill No. 206 by Charles H
Fouts of Morgan county has been
submitted to the legislature for
study, for approval and passage il
the members agree its provisions
are sound. 1t has been prepared by
men of large experience after care
! full study and many conferences in
which leading business men and ex-
pert attorneys have taken part. II
reflects the judgment of men ot
ability on a measure better calcu.
! lated to protect the public than the
present law. Eminent counsel agree
! it is practical and workable. II
amends and supplements the pres
ent law. Doubtless some measure
on that subject will be passed ant
the supporters of the Fouts bill viii
be present at the hearings to argue
| its merits.
/ It may be criticised for one pro
vision. AS the bill is written it pro
vides for an appeal from the blue
SKY commissioner 10 Ine attorney
general before the question can be
taken to the court for decision. Thai
provision in any bill invites criti
| cism. There are those who think
legal questions, once raised, might
well be taken directly to the courts
rather than to an officer with quasi
judicial authority. Courts are es
tablished TO decide questions Of diff
ference between parties. The same
provision is found in other laws. Ir
the past it has produced good anc
bad results, depending on many
things. The state has need Of {
stronger. broader, more practica
law, and the legislature has nc
palmer duty than to meet the need
%. s. Journal, Feb. IS.