Evening star., 1924-07-04

their hands has been committed COM
plete jurisdiction and control over all
most part our institutions are at
tackled in the name of social and eco
nomtc reform. Unless there be some
teaching OF sound economics in the
schools, the voter and taxpayer is in
danger of accepting vague theories,
which lead only to social discomfort
and public disaster. The body polite
has little chance of choosing patriotic
financial affairs with wisdom and
safety. unless there is a general diff
fusion Of knowledge and information
on elementary economic subjects suf-
fcient to create and adequately to
guide public opinion. Every one ought
to realize that the sole source Of ma
tional wealth Is thrift and industry,
and that the sole supply Of the public
treasury Is the toll OF the people. OF
course. patriotism Is always to be
taught National defense is a neces-
sity and virtue, but peace with
honor Is the normal. natural condition
or mankind. and must be made the
chief end to be sought in human re-
lationship.
Tribute to Teachers.
Another element must be secured
In the training of citizenship, or all
else will be In vain. All OF our learn
arts, will be OF little avail unless
they are supported by high character.
Unless there he honor. truth and JUS
tice. unless our material resources are
supported by moral and spiritual re-
sources. there Is no foundation for
progress. A trained Intelligence can
do much, but there is no substitute
for morality. character and religious
convictions Unless these abide, Amer
lean citizenship will be found unequal
to it's task.
1t Is with some diHidence that /
speak of the required facilities OF the
school in this presence. We are able
to give more attention to the school
house than formerly. 1t ought to be
not only convenient. commodious and
sanitary. but II ought to be IA work of
art which would appeal to the love
of the beautiful The schoolhouse it
self ought to impress the scholar with
an ideal; it ought to serve as an in
spiration.
But the main factor of every school
is the teacher. This is one of the
noblest of professions. 1t requires
an adequate preparation and training,
patience, devotion, and a deep sense
of responsibility. Those who mold
the human mind have wrought not
for time. but for eternity. The obli-
cation which We all owe to those de-
voted men and women who have Civ
en- their lives to the education of the
y y
have freedom through a knowledge of
the truth, is one which can never be
discharged. They are entitled not
only to adequate rewards for their
service. but to the veneration and
honor of a grateful people.
Adult Instruction Urged.
1t is not alone the youth of the
land which needs and seeks educa-
tion. but we have a large adult popu-
lation requiring assistance in this
direction. Our last census showed
nearly $4,000, 900 foreign born white
persons residing among US. made up
largely of those beyond school age,
many of whom nevertheless need the
opportunity to learn to read and write
the English language. that they may
come into more direct contact with
the ideals and standards of our politi-
cal and social life. There are like
wise over 100000 native illiterates
When it is remembered that ignor-
ance is the most fruitful source of
poverty, vice and crime, it is easy to
realize the necessity for removing
what is menace, not only to our
social well being. but to the very
existence of the republic. A failure
to meet this obligation registers a
serious and inexcusable defect in our
government. Such a condition not
only works to a national disadvan-
tage, but directly contradicts all our
assertions regarding human rights.
One of the chief rights of an Ameri-
can citizen is a right to education.
The opportunity to secure it must not
only be provided. but if necessary it
must be made compulsory.
1t is in this connection that we are
coming to give more attention to the
rural and small village schools which
serve Al per cent of the children Of
than 10 per cent of these children
average to be in attendance on any
school day. and that there is tend
ency to leave them in charge of un-
dertrained and underpaid teachers.
The advent of good roads should do
much to improve these conditions.
The old one-room country school,
such as l attended, ought to give way
to the consolidated school, with a
modern building and an adequate
the best advantages that are provided
for our urban population. While life
in the open country has many advan-
tages that are denied to those reared
on the pavements and among crowded
buildings. it ought no longer to be
handicapped by poor school facili-
ties. The resources exist with which
they can be provided If they are ade-
quately marshaled and employed.
Secretary Of Education Desired.
The encouragement and support of
education is peculiarly the function
of the several states. While the po-
litical units of the district, township
and county should not fail to make
whatever contribution they are able,
nevertheless since the wealth and re-
sources of different communities vary.
while the needs of youth for educa-
tion in the rich city and in the poor
country are exactly the same and the
obligations of society towards them
are exactly the same, it is proper that
the state treasury should be called
on to supply the needed deficiency.
The state must contribute. set the
standard and provide supervision If
society is to discharge it's full duty
not only to the youth of the country,
but even to itself.
The cause of education has long
had the thoughtful solicitude of the
national government. While it is re-
allied that it is a state affair, rather
than a national affair, nevertheless it
has provided by law a bureau of edu-
cation. 1t has not been thought wise
to undertake to collect money from
the various states into the national
Treasury and to distribute it again
among the various states for the di-
rect support of education. 1t has
seemed the better policy to leave