106 ADVENTURES IN IDEALISM 



was taken to have the best speakers from New York 

 and Philadelphia as guests for these occasions. The 

 school teachers would prepare an ambitious school en- 

 tertainment and the significance of the day was touched 

 upon from every possible angle. The celebration would 

 begin in the morning at the schoolhouse and end at 

 night in the big hall, with speeches and dancing. 



Educational work in Woodbine was so active that 

 my husband could not bear to have anything interfere 

 with its progress. On one occasion, August, 1904, he 

 wrote this letter to the School Board of Dennis Town- 

 ship: 



"Sins: 



"The new district law has deprived us of home rule. 

 For us in Woodbine educational facilities are of a very 

 vital character. The conduct of educational matters in 

 Woodbine is carried on by a Board consisting of the 

 trustees of two school districts, the teachers and myself. 

 Often the parents are called in to aid the board and 

 teacher in improving the behavior, manners or general 

 appearance of the children. The board tries to interest 

 the parents in school matters; tries to bring forward 

 the spirit of American principles and inculcate Ameri- 

 can patriotism through the children into the homes. 



"This explains why we felt alarmed when we learned 

 about the new Townships School Act, passed by our 

 legislators in the interest of the Republican principles 

 of concentration of power to the detriment of Demo- 

 cratic principles of home rule. Therefore we welcome 

 your apparent desire to help us to return to home rule 

 in Woodbine school management." 



