New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-11-29
DIR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
CONCERNING COVERINGS {.


To tke EdttOr Of The Trtopne.
SIR: The article in Thursdays paper, which
you gin by saying that "Anirate Philadelphia father
does MT approve of the present system Of schooeach'
ng contains judcious remark which goes to the root
Of the matter The TRIBUNE says that fewer studies
and strict discipline in the schools would make sufficient
time for the memorzing of lessons at the desk" Upon
this text an old NewYork pedaeogue desires preach
short sermon apropos Of this locality In our city
schools there not too many studies for each days
work. except in the three CHER classes out Of
the ten eighteen into which OF them divided
The number Of studies for those classes ought to be
smaller; but 1t Is impossible to reduce it dispense
with all home study unless we settle back upon reading
spelling, definitions OF words, and arithmetic. should
down to that and give up all geography, history
grammar composition drawing bookkeeping. and mssici
Is THE TRIBUNE quite prepared 70 take that stand
Which OF those studies does any friend OF popular edu
cation wish banished from school. and whyi Home
study the three four higher classes OF schools
IS necessity ard long people wish schools to
be above low and merely elementary grade, so long
they suffer the annoyance OF the +" irate Pha-
depha father" OF being obliged 10 pay some attention
and give thought to their chidren's school work
1t is great pity that there people who consider
any care for their chdrens education annoyance
and hardship instead of viewing IL as an agreeable
duty involving serious Christian and social responsi
by In this city thousands OF parents do not enforce
even regular attendance upon school among their child
rem Such people, OF course, cant be bothered" 6y
overlooking ehildrens studies at home, and when the
ped1SoGae presses sqeh i9r more Regular aendanSs
parental aid whatever The same is true regard to
deDauences In department aud lessons at school, The
should cease Is that the modern doctrinei Is tho
teacher the only persOn responsible for the correction
and prevention Of school denqNences, and ought tho
school be so conducted as TO relieve parents all
responsibility II the teacher must stand in TOGO pare'
to his powers That ls he should be empowered to
force obedience and attention and respectful demeanor.
them Now the statute aw or the ordinance or the Dc
partment of Public Instruction has taken away the teach
er right OF fOrcetha Is, the right to Dhict copOrcal
punishment Here aye, burdened with the parents
duties for six hours every day for i've days every
week. without any corresponding poxers; The rosuls
has been tue Generalization Of the public school stem
in school Which would MAKE sufficient time for tie
orizng of lessons at the desk As yOu say there arc
the Philadelphia father over this sisIo OF things.
scarcely day passes in our boys schools in which tho
fest In strong terms sense Of the FOLLY VI the situation
Equation has Increased 70 very marked Extent ia the
last three natural result OF these habits tno
many Of whom are truants aud pupils
who have been expelled and are, thereore.
teachers hand would restore TO the better days
OF i've days which respect for teacher aud
law generally characteristics OF toys
ge'c York, Nov. Il, iSia Truth.
CONCERNING VENTILATION.
TO TIE Bdftor or rae Tr,OURS
SIR: On making trip through Central
and cities the best buildings for educational pur.
poses. While we OF New-York and New En- gland have
been reposing with dignity upon supposed auroIs,
ratterin ourselves upon the excellence aud superiority
.of our common schools, the young and vigorous West
has actually outstrpped IN the AT Blooming.
, ton, Normal, Urbana. and Champaign I nave visited
several schools aud beg OF You little space in which
to briefly but emphaticaly call the attention OF parents
aud the authorities" 10 vitality important sanitary
feature adopted in nearly AL the public buildings and
school houses in this section the method OF
ventilation, which consists simply In supplying sud-
cient quantity OF fresh warm air not hot aud dry arr 1t
the tops VI rooms, ana eXhaustn the foul air from tho
bottoms OF the same, thus furnishing abandanso OF
pure air Tor respnatiOn eeonomizng most onectsaIY
tho heat. and dispensing toto With the whole para
phernaa OF the old syssem, l. G. fan-0losers steam
pipes. numerous stoves, CRATES, sc.
l have entered scho0l-rOoms during dSaCrecaoe
weather. this month. crowded with pupils. anu found
the air as sweet aud gratoIal as the pare ana ghal
atmosphere OF summer day. The clloren were buoy.
ant chez ked Orghteyed. and uIl OF ambtlou aud
energy. The contrast between their condition and tho
deplOrable Of school children In the CITY of
Newl0rk is painful, Thousands OF weary, heavy
eyed, palefaced half asYhy Niated children, lam
guShiug and stiang In foul AIR, rcekiug with
offensive sienchos lOadod with exhaiations trOm hA
skins, dirty clothes and impure DEeaths, all, both tho
ceanly aud " the INF hty UNIV ashed suffering alike nom
ChQmldl4t. H., Nov. 10. l5l4 n.