Milford chronicle., 1924-05-02

In the legislative halls at Dover,
where a Delaware legislature was the
irst to ratify the Constitution of the
United States, a Junior Legislature,
composed of students of the high schools
Of the State. met last week and in a
three day session considered matters of
public interest, discussion the problems
from many angles and deciding by vote
among themselves what they approved
and disapproved and leaving unadjusted
matters they did not consider pertinent
enough to devOts the time to. 1t was
the first Junior Legislature ever assem-
bled in any state, and it appears at this
time that its Object-instructing the
aigh school students in legislative prac-
uces-has been successfully attained. 1t
IS to be expected that now other states
will follow Delaware's example and hold
Junior Legislatures.
1t is to, early to determine all the
eactiOn that may be expected in the
next twelve months from the sessions of
;he Junior Legislature. On the surface,
It least, everything appears to have
gone forward successfully and the men,
oers of the Legislature" were greatly
pleased with the opportunity to discuss
public problems, that twenty years ago,
he children of those days never dreamed
of taking any interest in. But times
nave progressed. The woman has the |
light of franchise and is exercising her |
1rerOgatiye in many new ways. This |
vas reflected i'll the active part taken |
II the legislature by the young women /
students. Some of them showed them
selves Just as aggressive as the young
men. They took part in debates on
questions that years ago would never
lave interested the female sex. And
howed a knowledge and intimate expert
nee with detail Of many public ques-
ions that equalled that of any of the
7oung men legislators.
Educators Pleased With Results
Both John Shilling, assistant State
superintendent of Schools in charge of
iigh schools, and DR.. H. V. Holloway,
superintendent of Public Instruction of
he State, were in accord over the re-
suits that have been obtained by the 1
session. It--was good for the students I
and will help them in many ways.
The question of Junior Legislature !
did not originate with the State Board {
of Education" said Mr.. Shilling. "It t
was suggested by Professor w. B. s
Ihornburgh, principal of the Dover High
School. His recommendation was pre- 9
sented to the Dover Rotary Club and a
then to the state superintendents. It s
seemed so aIdable that it was decided a
TO try it out. il
Persons have asked me what good t
would be accomplished from the assem- L
bling here of high school students from il
very high schoo. in the State, and how h
he discussion of subjects, apparently u
in, of Aha int of Aha n
could .ossibly help them? / fl
believe the students will be very mate 81
tally aided in their civics, history, gram l.,
mar, constitution and what is most es-
ential to every man and woman in HI
uture life, their ability to present their fc
Jews in way that will command IL
espect" III
DIR. Holloway was Just as enthusi OF
site over the results the students would in
btain from the drilling in legislative Pl
ractlce. Like every other public edu Pl
ator, he realizes that students may be pr
bright without the one es- :
entail, that being able to lose con-
ciousness of themselves when attempt
lg to address others OF an audience.
hey know it is much easier for them
0 speak before their elders than it is nc
0 address some of the fellow students. az
heir elders always allow for embarrass- ~
tents that the students themselves %
ugh at and criticize 3ne another about. as as
0 that in discussing important matters t.5 Ie
public interest among themselves, the W.
gh school students are obtaining drill we
public expression which they could WI
ildOm obtain in regular courses. or
Value Of Public Speaking. gr
One question of constructive critics us
ncerning the Junior Legislature was: We
If the young man or woman student ce
iVer wanted to enter politics and be- an
me legislator when they obtained the tn
yht to vote, what good would drilling die
legislative practices do them? Ju
To this question the answer was sim sh
e. No matter if the student does not sh
re to enter the political field, if they WI
E to become success in any public of
Oeation, they must be able not only wi
speak in away that will express their spi
oughts fOrcefuily but they must of
cessity meet conditions that involve do
islative uses in some way. IF its wi
. president of a Chamber of Com Pa
rec or presiding officer of church fol