Putnam patriot., 1924-06-20
MORTLAKE'S
LETTER

Hartford, June 10.
The Republican ticket nominated at
the national convention at Cleveland is
well received by the Republican voters
of the state and by many Democratic
voters too. In Hartford the ticket has
created considerable enthusiasm. Pres
ident Coolidge, who has been renomin-
ated, has shown his fitness for the
high Office which he now fills, and the
nominee for vice president has a rec
ord of conspicuous success in the pub
lie service. IL would not be rash 10
predict that the vote of Connecticut
will be given for Coolidge and Dawes
next November. But the apparent GER
tainty Of this will not close the eyes Of
Mr.. Roraback and his colleagues of
the State Republican organization 10
the necessity Of vigorous campaign
to secure for this state a place in the
Republican column when the votes are
counted in November. IL would be
more correct to say, perhaps, a contin-
uance of a place. Taking the result Of
the local elections that have been held
in the past two years throughout the
state, there is every reason to be en-
couraged that the Republican, party
has held its own. But candidly. IL has
had no votes to spare. Republicans
have reason 10 be confident this year
but not overconfideHt. There should
not be too much reliance placed, for ar
advantage. on the possibility of the
Democrats being weakened by faction
al feuds or divided sympathies. The,
are divided now, II Is true, but ths
chasm can be bridged and the Demo
cratic leaders are alive 10 the import
ance Of constructing the bridge. They
appreciate the fact that just now they
are not in a position TO win q victory
But the battle Of ballots will not taxi
place for four months, and in the
meantime they are determined to Gloss
their ranks and adjust their differenc'
es.
Pamphlet on Education
DR.. Albert Il. Meredith, the State
Commissioner Of Education, has rem
dered a very useful service 70 the PEG.
pie In the publication of a pamphlet Of
about seventy pages containing yaiu-
able and reliable data on the financial
situation Of the public school system
of the state for the year 1929. The
pamphlet made its appearance last
week. IL represents q careful and
scientific study Of the financial phase
Of the school system. The fact is made
clear that the state has not been doing
its full duty 10 the people Of Connec-
tieut in the policy Of state assistance
which II has pursued. The figures
which the pamphlet contains show that
the attitude Of the state towards pub.
lie school education has been niggard
ly. For the year covered by the sur,
vey the state appropriated 81 .4os. 1858
while the towns spent i6,062,97 The
fault must be laid at the door Of ths
Legislature. The total expenses fol
the state for the year was in rouns
numbers $2i 900. 900. Only about one
twentieth Of that sum was for educs
ton. The figures show a generosit,
bordering on the extravagant in man,
Of the appropriations. But in the pro
vision made for education q spirit d
parsimony was displayed. Il ID quit,
possible that the legislators in theil
attitude towards education take thu
view that tue education Of the youth
Of the state is a matter for the towns
and school districts to attend to. Pri
mariiy il is, but economic conditions
have developed IN most Of the towns Of