Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1841-03-25
LINCOLN TELEGRAPH.
BATH, (Me.)
Thursday Morning, March IS, 1871.
pIrRLIc SCHOOLS.

ton of the inhabitants of this town, although
others may derive some profit, by an examination
Of the same points.
Education, rightly considered, is one of the
chief foundations, upon which rest the prosperity
and well-being of community, and of our coun-
try, as well as the highest welfare -four children.
Almost every one will acknowledge that for
tune is but miserable inheritance to the young
man or young women when brought in COMPARE
son with the rich intellectual powers of which
almost every mind is capable when properly cul-
tvated.
! We rejoice that the attention Of our citizens,
is directed to this important subject, and that a
report recommending the adoption of a new sys-
TEN in respect to our schools is now pending-to
be acted upon at the adjourned meeting, the
second Monday of April. 1t is of vast impor-
lance that the people should weigh this subject
deliberately, and prepare themselves previous to
that time to act understandingly.
That our public schools perfect as they
should be, in their operation, but few. we appre-
bend, will pretend to say. That they are as good
as can be expected under the present system,
j
objections that might be named, in the operation
of our system of public instruction, as or
ganzed-or rather applied. One most serious
and important objection, is, the almost unlimited
amount OF labor required Of the Teacher without
so much as the possibility of systematic division
of that labor. 1t is well understood by the me-
chanic or laborer, that undivided attention to any
branch of labor yields a much more profitable re-
turn thar the same amount of labor bestowed
under opposite circumstances. The principle is
the same precisely, with the labor Of public in
struction
1t is fer want of proper regard to this prlncl-
! pie, among Others that our common schools are
no more efficient as an engine of public instruc-
ton. There is not that regard to classification,
both as to studies and pupils, that must be effect
ed, in order to make public schools the best
schools
| The propositions contained in the Report Of
the Committee, now before the town, and which
we insert below, if carried out according to the
design Of the Committee, will remedy this evil,
and prepare the way to make our public schools
eminently perfect in their operation.
| Should the proposition vita the Academy sue
coed or even if it should not-the means of
procuring ample education for almost any per-
suit, including all the higher branches of an
English education, togetle with the Latin will
be placed within the reach of every child, free of
expense. This too, is point which MUST be &C
complished, before public schools be
made equal to the wants of the whole commun-
ty, and assume the rank they should occupy in
the public estimation. The existence of so many
priraie schools supported by the patronage of
the higher classes, is ample and demonstratIve
proof upon this point-stronger than any words
we could offer Let our public schools become
tie best schools. and this Fictitious distinction will
| no longer exist The children of al-whether
poor rich, will meet upon equal footing-the
| only footing recos nized by, or consistent with a
country Ike ours,
We cannot, in this article, al.ude to all the i'm
portant considerations growing out Of this qucs-
ton. We invite the attention of all-for all
have deep interest in the final decision of the
town-and sincerely hope that the proposition
may succeed.
The following is the Report of the special Com
mittce, offered in 1910:
Town OF BATH, March 10th, 1910.
The Committee appointed last year to report
to this meeting the system of Town Schools
have had the subject under consideration and
REPORT:
Among the most important objects with view
to the improvement of our Public Schools. are the
division of labor the part of teachers, and am
biton, without undue emulation, on the part of
pupils.
The division of labor on the part of the teacher
few branches of study as possible, consistent with
convenience and economy. Not only will the
teacher be enabled to devote longer time to each
branch, in proportion the branches fewer ;
but he will also DE enabled to devote his time
with greater effect, because the powers of mind,
like those Of the body become more expert by
combining their exercise TO fewer objects.
The pupil, ignorant of the purposes and ad-
vantages of an education not yet acquired, can
in general be induced to labor diligently and
perseveringly, only by nfusing into his mind a
liberal ambition. In doing this care should be
taken to avoid exciting emulation and rivalry
between the pupils, which tend TO create envy
and cultivate the worst ceilings and passions. 1t
should rather be effected by the sure promotion
of each individual on his attainment of certain
progress in his studies, without reference to the
nrouress IF othars and he followed bv the risk of