New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-08-19
THE EDUCATIONAL WORK.
OUR SCHOOLS AND THE GERMANS.


liant movement with reference to our Common
Schools Before expressing any opinion of it,
1t seems due to the numbers and character of
the movers that we give them fair, dispas-
sonate hearing. Their programme is as fol-
lows:
Constitution Of ne German American school Association
Of the CITY and County Of NeiOTork
SECTION 1.-PreaDabie.-Tho system Of Free Public
Schools as established by law in the State Of Newfork,
only that fully conforms with democratic epub-
can institutions aud apt to be brought to highest per.
lection AS aims at the best possible education OF every
individual indispensable condition OF Its success
full operation and Of the most important duties OF
every Citizen that al should evnce for an active and
spontaneous interest In this spirit and with such con.
viotion. the GermanAmerican citizens OF the City OF
SewYork associate and organize themselves under the
name OF German American School Association OF the
city and County Of New-YOrk"
SEC At is the purpose Of this Association /. To
arouse keep alive active interest Of its members
In all that concerns the Public Scholastic enghten the
public methods and principles Of education, and to
support ali for reform when deemed useful
necessary; To its influence for the election and
appointment Of such persons are most worthy and
best fitted to Ill offices the department Of public edu-
ration; s. While acknowledging that English Is the
national language and considering that it cannot DO de-
med that the German Of all foreign tongues the most
Important in this country, TO urge its introduction as
regular study into the Public Schools in order TO auOrd
OIL pupils opportunity acquire at least one foreign
language and induce parents Of German descent to
Gcnd their children hereafter more generally 70 the pub
lic instead OF private schools.
The other paragraphs contain provisions for forming
Ward Associations md a General Committee.
Their desires and demands are more fully
set forth in the following
MEMORIAL;
10 ne Honorable the Board Of Education Of the Oity ana
County ofRsp- York:
Tho nercan citizens OF the City OF NeW-YOrk
as represented by a General Committee, composed Of
delegations from School Associations in the several
Wards Of the City, respectfully submit the following
. PETITION:
That the Board Of Education amend that part OF sec
zion 81 Of the Bylaws Of the Board, which now reads
as follows:
"Ihe City superintendent may also authorize the Latin
5Sng9age 10 DC tauEn C M Guy paTsnsd Int the same
ehs be taught only by teachers employed In he SCHOOLS
German language may be pursued In Grammar
schools connection with the studies OF the Second and
90 as to make u read in future alan or,ror,,0 ts
latin French language TO be taught In any Grammar
school in which the Supplementary Course s pursued
but tho Latin language shall be taught only by teachers
employed i'm the schools to give instruction IN other
Branches study. The German language shall be taught
1 an 9SI Se9 nSsr 4 regular 6nh in humber Of
Ward schools to be designated by the Board OF Edgca.
lion which shall be less than Onethrd or the
Sghoie number of Ward Schools the City. The study
of German shall be commenced second grade OF the
rimaTy DepaTtment aud pursued thence through all
grades OF the Grammar Department aud the supplement
tary Course"
spd to further amend section Of the same bylaws by
strkng out in the title the word German" and In the
text the words Of the German language asthe Board
OF Trustees for the Ward may select and determine"
(which amendment would place the assistant teachers Of
Che German language equal footing with all other
EegulRT assistant teachers
The folio wing remarks intended TO convey the mo-
eiyes for our petition, and TO explain its purpose
The results OF the instruction in the French and German
languages, actually gwen now In number OF "ard
Schools have proved quite unsatisfactory, because;
EOO little time allotted to these studies 2 The
scholars on entering the French and German classes,
quite unequally prepared, and g. The instruction
given was in no connection with the other studies did not
form integral part of the curriculum and lacked the
Deedfu superintendent.
In favor Of that part Of proposed amendment,
tbch concerns the study Of the French language, we
DnIy wish to mention that it would give power to the
INV superntendent TO arrange the French lessons In
huch way that more satisfactory results might be e1
poced particularly in the female departments In re-
bpect study Of the German language we are firmly
convinced That the great usefulness, we might even
Gay the necessity Of thorough knowledge OF the Ger
man language IN practical relatonss more ana more
appreciated not only by citizens OF German descent Dnt
by native Americans; ?. That regular and thorough
hudy OF the German language will greatly promote ana
facilitate thorough knowledge Of the English aud, g.
That nothing would prove conducive TO the assim
Iaton OF the element with the American nation
shan the introduction of the German language as regu
lar study into our Public Schools it would induce Ger
tnan parents generally 20 send their children TO the
Common Schools.
The principal points Of petition are J. That the
INSTRUCTION in the German language be taken up as low
as the second grade Of Primary Department for the
cholars Of this grade being able TO read English pretty
Huently and commencing slate writing are sumclehty
aorepared to begin the study Of second language 2
t ths study be pursued through all the higher grades
hen, doslu No dawn tO a
thorough knowledge Of German could not be attained
with less time. That the German language, wherever
taught should be a regular study pursued by all pupils,
or xDerence shows that branches OF instruction left to
Che optIon of the scholars not only liable to be
neglected bnt must prove hinderance to the perfect
order OF the whole school, besides the introduction the
German language as regular branch II NUMBER Oh
lasses ,Fould greatly contribute to alter an Institution
which although yet generally adopted in our schools is
certainly Objectionable viz the charging OF one teacher
t all the branches taught in the class Thatthe
German language be taught eastn onehird OF all the
Sard schools for this number will hardly suffice to re-
ceiye all the pupils whose parents wish them to learn
German under system prospect and the rest ofthe
achOols will certainly be than sufficient for those
who from principle prejudice, reject every other but
an exclusively English education
Although the citizens Of German descent, who now con
situte more than oneourth Of the whole population OF
This city and in proportion contribute 70 the School Fund
would be justified claiming for their views Of the man
gement ana organization Of schools wider application
shan asked for petition they have confined their
aspirations within modest limits, firmly convinced that
at they ask Is so well founded In the wants Of our time
and Mace that the carrying into effect their moderate
emands Will without any doubt be largely supported by
chair American feOw-c OF different nationality, as
similar movements have been in Cincinnati st. Louis,