The Evansville daily journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1870-1875, 1870-11-30
DAILX JOURNAL
WEDNESDAY,, NOVEMBER 80, 1870:
M schoOl COurse.

friends of classical culture, both in
colleges aud schools, for several years.
1t Is not q question whether il is
desirable 10 have Greek taught at all,
bus whether it shall be commenced in
the High Schools or IN the College. /
The officers OF our school system
are exceedingly anxious to promote
the education Of the youth of Evans
vile, aad TO invest the means plseed
at their disposal 10 the way best cal
euiated 10 DO the greatest amount of
good 10 the greatest lumber; they al
50 desire not oDly 10 preserve the rep
ptation of our High School, but TO in
crease lfs usefulness In doing this
they have tried to ascertain in what
way its efficiency could be best pro-
moted, and In this they have been
greatly sisted by the discussions of
the state Board OF Education, and
of the Indiana Collegiate Assoeia-
ton. The former body is composed
of the Governor of the State, the Su-
perintendent Of Public Instruction,
the President Of the State University,
the President OF the State Normal
School, and the Superinten1ents of
the Schools Of Indianapolis, Fort
Wayne and Evansville. The latter, is
composed of the Presidents and Pro-
fessOrs IN the Colleges and Academies
OF the State. 1t will be conceded that
these gentlemen are not only inter
ested in promoting the welfare of the
schools they represent, but competent
also to devise plans which will add to
their efficiency.
The members OF the Board of Ed
ucation were fully impressed with the
idea that ltRdeT present circumstances,
IL is not advisable to commence the
study Of Greek In the High Schools of
the State, and appointed o committee,
of which DR.. Mutt was Chairman, to
prepare a report to be submitted tc the
Indiana Collegiate Association, en-
bodying their views. This report was
prepared and presented to the Col
lege Association, at the second annual
meeting, July. 1869.
At this me sting, among other inter-
esting and important topics, this one
ELECTED considerable discussion. It
was argUe1 that the High School
course should not be arranged with
reference to colleges, but with refer
ence to the greatest good to the masses
that Will never 20 to college. Col
enee to High School courses" An
other insisted that the High School
should do given work. and then that
the colleges should do the rest. There
should be a continued regular course
from the Primary School to the Uni
versity. He wanted to see the sim
Dlest science put in the preparatory, |
and the Greek placed in the college |
proper" q third claimed that IN.
der the circumstances, Greek must gc
somewhere in the college course; tdat |
colleges must yield . little to accom-
modats themselves to the demands
made upon them" These arguments |
coming from college president and a !
college professor. indicate that there |
are substantial reasons for the change I
proposed. = was evident that the /
wants of the times are such that the |
colleges are obliged to modify their |
courses of study, and that college men
are inquiring what the changes shall
be-. 1t seemed quite as reasonable to
ask the few colleges to adapt them
selves to the necessities of the High
Schools, as to expect that High
Schools shall, at great expense, and |
at considerable loss to the pupils at
large, conform to the few colleges;
and as changes are being made in this I
respect. there will be no loss to the
colleges and great gain to the High |
Schools, If this is made with the rest. /
The result of the discussion was the
appointment of q committee Ito con-
fer with the State Board of E1uca- |
ton In reference to the establishment /
= 1.5S4s-i4i0rm High School eOs-nzs- shss |
snail haFmonize ICith the college course
. oe gdoptsd8d WITH wTRe bSfSoBbggfbf9 SSBgfbftef meet
with tn Board In January next.
The Ohio Association has RECON-
nended that pupils enter the collegiate
course without any knowledge of
Greek. This supposes that the
course of the High School shall make
some equivalent studies, which shall
suit the majority Of its pupils better
than Greek, which shall be compen-
sation in the College. Thus, for in
stance, If Chemistry aud Botany be
pursued in the School they would not
be re-stndied in College, thus giving
time for perfection IN Greek.
In Cincinnati, Louisville, st. Louis,
and Chicago, where there are from
400 to 600 pupils in the High Schools
and senior classes, and graduates OF
from twenty five to forty pupils, they
can afford to have special courses OF
study, ladies' classical and scientific
courses. E1ch of these schools IS
larger than any college in this State;
but when cities with about 100 pupils
in the High School and senior classes
of from Six to twelve members, and
most of these girls, it becomes a seri-
Gus question whether, for so few pu-
nils. optionaI studies should be al
lowed.
To make special application to the
High School of this city: There are
enrolled 113 pupils, the largest num-
Der vet enrolled IN one year. Of these
six girls and two boys are in the Sen
Tor Glass, and thirteen gifts and SIX
bovs in the-Iunior Glass. In these
TWO classes, therefore, there are now
eight boys OF these it is net prob
able than more than half will gradu-
ate at the High School, aud of those
who do. it is not likely that half will
20 to College. much less graduate
With these probabilities it becomes a
question, in the language of the Col
legs President before quoted, not SO
much whether we OHqht to pay for
teaching Greek, as IL is whether we
cdn." For these classes, consist
ing, at the outside, of not more
than two pupils. it would re.
duire at lerst one hour a day, OF
one-sixth of the Principals time
Would it be right and just, under
these circumstances, to give this much
of the time Of our best teacher to sc
few, when It might be employed more
proftably with eight times as manJ
Dupils, or all the members, girls and
BOYS, of the two classes?
In conclusion, IL is only necessary tC
say that in four OF the best colleges o
the State, with which conference hai
been had. our pupils will be gladly re
eeived, and suitable arrangement
made, In consideration of their ad
yancement In other branches, to max
good their Greek. With this state
ment, We think no one should ask tina
the School authorities should pursu
. different policy from the on
adopted.
OsaDEEsEB FELxGRAas.
WEDNESDAY, Nov. 60.
cold closed in New York yesterday. Q