New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-07-18
NEW

MIDDLssEx Co, Monday, July

| tn the Editor Of The ". Y Tribune
We desire not to be misunderstood in the
assertion we made in our communication Of the
! 9th inst. that the Public School system Of New
Jersey was opposed by an influential religious
denomination. We do not say that all, or even
majority, Of the members Of any dcnomna-
ton are opposed to 1t, but we simply stated that
a stand had been taken against it which was de-
nominational. If your correspondent ID. IS IA
miliar with the action OF religious assemblies in
this State, he will probably remember that a
resolution was passed by one of them, not long
since, recommending the establishment Of paro-
chlal schools in connection with every Church
We are well aware that the cause Of general and
public Education in this State has warm advo-
Gates among all denominations, and embracing
both clergy and laity. The general position,
however, we still maintain as true, and shall
continue to do so until some public action is taken
in favor of the Public School system by the as
sembled delegates OF the denomination referred
to.
Almost all that has been done vet for the
cause OF Education in this State, has been done
by the Legislature. While much can be done
by this means 10 foster and encourage schools
the real labor in the cause must vet be done by
the people II they cannot he made to take an
interest IN the cause and inform themselves as
to what their duty is, and what steps they may
take bv which they can assist the work, the ac-
ton of the Legislature must fail Teachers must
be procured, suitable buildings erected and fur
nlshed in an appropriate manner, books, Libraries,
and apparatus must be bought, and all must be
done by the combined action ofthe people.
In this State, the Legislature has empowered the
Trustees of each school district, IN connection with
,the Town superintendent, TO select and procure the
books to be used In the schools yet We know OF no
public school in the State In which the books are Sc
lected by the persons authorized 1t may be done IN
some cases but the general course of action IS to
leave the books to be named by each successive
teacher at his whlm
The books and materials used IN every public
school should be selected. purchased and distributed
TO the children attending the school at the pubic
expense. There is no step that could be taken by
the people that would advance the cause OF educa-
ton more than this. BY this means a better system
OF classification may be carried out in the school,
and the services of the teacher at least doubled IN
usefulness. The books being purchased IN quaint
ties nav also be furnished at cheaper rates and
those furnished Will be of the right kind. We have
seen the necessity of this step so much, that we
would urge its adoption by the Trustees o! every
school district in the land as one of the most eff.
cient means by which they can advance the cause OF
education
The minute subdivision OF towns into districts Is
another evil which may be rcmedled by the people.
How and to what extent tins is an evil We will en-
deayor to point out. And In the first place would
remark that il prevents proper division of the labor
of teaching. That more labor can be performed by
an individual, and done in a better manner when he
! is confined 10 particular department of that busl-
ness. than when he has to work at every branch OF
| II. has long been admitted economical principle.
This principle carried out IN the mechanic arts, and
III the higher departments of education should also
be extended to the iOrer The school district should
be of sufficient size TO admit of three -four more
schools with one more teachers for each school.
in these schools the children should be classified
according to their ages and studies. All the infant
scholars those learning to spell and read, should be
sent to one school those learning arithmetic to
another, and those learning geography, grammar,
&C, TO third fourth. These schools. or most OF
them, should be IN one or IN contiguous buildings,
so that the scholars might go, during the day, from
one school 10 another. This minute subdivision OF
districts, also prevents such frequent commun"i-
tons of thought and feeling between teachers as
;ne desirable. In tins State. where they are paid
according to the number OF scholars they nave they
may also be kept apart by ciasMng OF interests.
We are well aware that this principle of division
of labor has been acknowledged and carried out IN
many public schools IN the State OF New.iork but
what we desire is, that the attention of this and
other States NAV be called TO It, In every village OF
FIVE hundred inhabitants by the union OF the former
school districts, such a division OF labor may be
made In addition 10 the common branches oil an
education, provision may then more easily be made
to teach the higher branches of study. When the
people shall have become awakened to the adyan-
ages OF a division Of labor in all departments of IN
dusry, and to the principle of voluntary ASSOCIATION
for the advancement of their common interests, we
shall expect to see in every village one large aca-
DENY with various teachers in each department, In
stead of numerous isolated schools. IN which all
branches are taught by one individual.
ANY parOchica system OF instruction mus, inter
forc With and impede the perfection OF the Common
School system by rendering II more difficult IN small
pla, es to adopt division of labor. The parochlal
School must necessarily draw of a portion OF the
Children and also increase, twhat is now the chlef
obstacle TO the union of DISTRICTS the feeling OF sec
jarianism. They never can themselves become TO
any extent instrumental In the general education oil
the people The number Of children belonging To
them will always be 50 limited as 10 render any MI
mute and extendedfyStem OF classification impossible.
That the different Sects should be separated from
each other further than they are al present. IN
thought, purpose and feeling, would be result when
no person of right feeling would desire That this
would be their inevitable tendency no one can doubt
When Public School shall have been established
m every village III the Union classified and arranged
on economic and unltary principle furnished al the
public expense with books, library and apparatus,
with teachers qualified for their stations and I'M
pressed with their responsibility, the appropriations
ior the County poor viii become unnecessary, the
expenses OF Criminal Courts VIII diminish, ana
better and "A wiser code OF laws soon be founded
Under such a system OF instruction every pubic III
tCreSi IN the state must ncreaSemechanc arts. IN
tcrnal improvements and agriculture must flourish,
and the whole community become wiser weather,
and happier. Yours, &c, W'M'S