The Success of the Public Schools 83 



First, universal; it must reach every one who shares 

 in civic duty. In our system that means practically 

 everybody. 



Second, such training must be relevant, and, if pos- 

 sible, efficient; must create or help to create a citizenry 

 capable of self-government. 



My argument is that the public schools are a success 

 if to a reasonable degree they meet these two require- 

 ments. 



The first thing then proposed, as I esteem it, is equal 

 educational opportunity for every child. It is believed 

 that education is good; and if good for anybody, it is 

 good for everybody. Accordingly, under this demo- 

 cratic, socialistic scheme, the school room door is open 

 wide. Every effort is made, and is making increasingly, 

 in all our communities and in every commonwealth. Ex- 

 penditure in this direction constitutes in every city and 

 township the principal item. The tax levy is high and 

 seems ever growing, but if in a thoughtless moment the 

 tax-payer utters a word of complaint, some one pro- 

 nounces the magic word schools, and every complaint 

 dies on the tongue; schools, schools, build the schools, 

 plenty of them, give every boy and every girl a chance ! 

 Furnish not only teachers, but books and tools and shops, 

 and even clothing. Make way for the children of the 

 Republic ; to-morrow shall be better than to-day ! 



Surely, as far as popular support is concerned, as far 

 as public enthusiasm goes and this without some basic 

 reason soon expires surely in the estimation of the 

 common people, for whose special benefit the common 

 schools exist, they are a success. 



