The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1870-12-03 00:00:00

A SCHOOL BOARD FOR STOURBRIDGE.

7b the Editor of the " Observer."

will, with your permission, make a few re.
marks in reply to the letter of" A Friend of Education."
I moat first, however, tender your correspondent my best
thanks for the very polite and kindly way in which he is
pleased to speak of " Economist."
1. The first adverse criticism " A Friend of Education"
makes is to the effect that in my letters I seemed to him
to overlook the fact that the Eiementary Education Act
was not intended to interfere with adequate existing
schools; but only to supply deficiencies. I cannot ima-
gine upon what my friendly critic founds this opinion.
The eneouragemeLt given to denominational schools is
too marked a feature of the Act to be readily overlooked
or forgotten by either friends or opponents.
2. Your correspondent thinks that the Education De-
partment may not insist on the formation of a School
Board for Stourbridge, inn-much as our school accom-
modation is already so abundant and excellent. A little
time yid tell what the Department have to say on that
point. But, with all respect for "A. Friend of Educa-
tion," I venture to think that the Department will re.
quire us to extend our school accommodation. But the
decision of this question of accommodation one way or
the other, dues not affect my position. It is very import-
ant no doubt to have an adequate supply of good schools
for the use of those who attend them; but we want to
get at the children who never, or rarely go to school. So
far as they are concerned the Education Act, however
abundantly it may supply school buildings, will be a dead
letter—useleaa—unless we have a School Board to com-
pel them, for their own and the public good, to accept
advantages they cannot now appreciate. Voluntaryism
has dote much, for winch we cannot be too grateful, to
promote education; but it cannot educate the lowes social
strata. Nothing short of state compulsion can, in my
opinion, accomplish this. Compulsion, however, must,
of course, be considerate, humane, tender: using, if
possible, only silken cords—yet strong and firm enough
to accomplish its beneficent purpose.
3. " A Friend of Education thinks that schools are
better managed as they are than by any central board.
I am not sure that the utmost aatiefactiot prevails
throughout the country in regard to the financial man-
agement of schools. Whatever is good in the present
method • competent School Board would be sure to
adopt. I have already shewn that the Act empowers
Boards to delegate the management of their schools to
local managers, except in oar particular, namely, the
power of raising money."
' s"

4. Your correspondeot's cbief objection to Econo-
mist's" views as to • School Board seems to be that they
are too' unsectarian." He accepts • Church dignitary's
th tinition of " in:sectarian religion." It in 'the residu-
um which would be found after every one had pared away
every single doctrine or opinion to which he objected
(though •• paring.' by the way, is rather a novel process
,orobtaniig a" ft vi/Most";; end he thinks "what was
left would not be worth teaching at all." With all be-
coming respect for the opinion of your correspondent
and Ins "church dignitary," I cannot but think that very
much worth teaching would still remain of religion
after you have elinithated from your religious teaching
the distinctive dogmas of even religious sect in the
laud. IVould that evcry child were well taught "to do
justly, to lure money, and to with humbly with his (dud l"
your correspondent himself !Mews how composite is the
ecclesiastical charracter of aur population, and how im-
possible it would be for a School Board to satisfactorily
undertake any sectarian teaching. Then let us under-
take what we can do. We can educate in useful know-
ledge the poor, helpless, uncared for children of the
pauper and criminal classes. This is an object for which,
I believe, all sections of the community would willingly
consent to tax themselves. Let us not quarrel about the
theological dogmas in which "tuna's Baby" is to be
brought up, but in good earnest set about taming and
educating; him into a safe and useful member of the
body politic; and leave the dogmatic teaching in the
bands of the churches.
. •

Let me, in conclusion, express my ardent hope that
when we are called upon to form a School Board for
Stourbridge we shall steer clear of the Scylla end Cha-
rybdis of political and ecclesiastical partisanships into
which School Board elections in other places have so
often drifted, and select our members on the sole ground
of personal fitness.

I am, sc., ke.,
ECONOMIST.
Stourbridge December 2, 1870.

Pe THOMAS CORBETT, A BANKRUPT.
To the Editor of the" Obserrer."
DEAR SlR,—Will you do me the favour to correct an
error which appeared in your impression of last Satur-
day's date.
In your report of the proceedings at the meeting of
creditors in this matter, you state that all the creditors,
except four, and those represented by Mr. Wall," were
in favour of the resolution to liquidate.
The creditors represented by me Fere in favour of the
resolution, as I was of opinion that to wind up the estate
in liquidation would be by far the least expensive process
realizing the estate for the creditors, especially as it
4liewed without rots) above lOs in the pound. It •so
the creditors, whose proxies were held by Mr. Collis (with
use four stated) who were against the liquidation.
Yours truly,
THOS. WALL,
Attorney for the Debtor.

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Saterdee. December 3,187 u.