Consolidation of Schools 149 



the most important or dominating public 

 schools of the future. The small rural school, 

 with all its weaknesses, has the tremendous 

 advantage of directness and simplicity. It is a 

 great question whether it would be improved 

 by a rigid system of grading. It is a question, 

 in fact, whether the present graded schools 

 do not still carry the onus of proving them- 

 selves. 



Unquestionably, consolidation of rural 

 schools is often advantageous. It is to be ad- 

 vised whenever it seems to be necessary for ped- 

 agogical reasons. It is often urged, however, 

 for financial reasons ; but this in the long run, 

 is not reason enough. We maintain our canals 

 and government work at public expense. The 

 state must cooperate in the maintainance of 

 its detached schools, by direct appropriations, 

 if necessary, to their localities, always on the 

 condition, however, that all effective control 

 does not pass out of the community. Con- 

 solidation of schools is much more than an 

 educational question. It touches the very 

 quick of local pride and progress, 



