Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1872-04-05

accurate training on the part of the
teachers. l wish the two-fold benefits
coming to the pupils by this variety Of
work, each week, could be so well under
stood by all that it might never be fool
ishly asserted again that time is being
thrown away by this departure from rou-
tine. !:
PROPER WORK OF OUR SCHOOLS ;.
There are more or less of those in every
community who misjudge of the schools,
from the fact that they have no inteli-
gent idea Of the legitimate object of
school instruction. They believe that
school life and business life are similar
in methods and results; admit that in
classification there may be a similarity be-
tween the two, but cannot doubt that
the object Of the one is entirely unlike
that of the other.
The prime object of the school is men
tai discipline; not so much to arrive at
ultimate results relating to facts taught
in any of our text books, but rather that
the mind may receive such strength from
it's method of study that it shall be fully
able in after years to philosophically plan
and execute. Business life, while it may
begct mental discipline has quite differ
ent object in view It seeks, in the short
est possible way, results that are cstima-
ted by the money market This finan-
cial value does not attach it self to school
life-it has value beyond such estima-
ton.
The purpose of business life is no
vSnnnfA1 dicnsr1snn ;o thak &c
the smith in welding the hammer to in
crease muscle. II is no more essential
that the facts taught in our text books
shall remain for an indefinite length of
time in the mind as so many different
items in order that the pupil may receive
therefrom increased mental growth, than
it 10 that the, food that he consumes
shall long remain in the stomach, that
he may receive nourishment thcrefrom
for his physical life. The food is not thus
long retained, but it has answered its
purpose in making blood, bone and mus
Gle and he is more Of 4 man physically
by reason Of the process through which
the food has passed, although lie is not
able to reproduce it either in form or
amount. In like manner the pupil may
not be able to readily recall the facts
learned from the books, still he has re.
ceived Increased mental life by reason Of
the discipline that he has received in the
study Of that which begets thought. The
greatest worth that cultivated taste for
J reading possesses is not that one is to
remember al that he reads, but that he
may develop the power Of language
within himself and it is thus with all our
studies; not that they are absolutely to
be retained but that eaol faculty Of the
mind may be educated in certain dircc-
lions. Still 1t is true that the mind aoes
retain, and under certain conditions it
will be able to recall that which it has
previously learned; but this power Of
retention is in my estimation subordinate
to the discipline it has received, from the
right use Of the means employed in Sc
curing that knowledge which will be for
ever retained.
The school will have accomplished u
perfect work for the child whenever it
has given him the power to think in
right directions; this faculty will be the
key by which he is to become possessed
Of all that higher knowledge which lies in
The way Of every earnest student. Our
schools must not be estimated simply by
the instruction given to, and retained by
the pupil; but by this po,oer he has re
ceived from his mental training which will
forever demand new fields for thought
PRESENT CONDITION OF OUR SCHOOLS
Our schools have never been in better
and more harmonious condition than
now. The pupils, as a whole, have done
willing and cheerful work and secured
good results The teachers merit much
for their earnest and patient efforts in
behalf of their pupils; they have been
promptly and increasingly at their respec-
tive rooms, unless, occasionally, some
have been detained by sickness. hear
tily thank them all, for the aid they have
rendered me in their cordial cooperation
in carrying out my wishes for the best
interests of the schools. Their help has
been indispensable, and very much of
what is excellent in our schools is
due to them, and gladly recognize in
this report their efficiency.
The closing exercises in the several
rooms last week was fitting tribute to
l sANaA 0OAHsy WIN
| WHAT DO WE OWE OUR soHooLss
answer. everything If they are what
they should be; if they are not, we
should lose no time in making them SO.
We should let the teachers and pupils
early know that we are deeply interested
in their work by our frequent presence
in the several rooms. Every one, who
in the least gives pecuniary support to
them, should become acquainted in
timately with them. Let these schools
become favorably known in each home
in Independence; then will they be-
come possessed Of a power for good
which will be laden with the richest
results, and am confident that upon
familiar acquaintance they will thus
be known.
The teachers IN the several rooms are
deserving the most efficient aid and the
best words Of each patron of our schools.
If a kind suggestion will help them in
their work let him not fail to 60 person
ally and give them the benefit of the sug-
gestion. He may rest assured that no
viii be pleasantly received and heartily
thanked for his open vfrankness and kind
ness. The patron should be constantly
| careful that no unkind or severe criti
cism should reach the teacher second
handed, and especially SO if it be untrue.
Our schools should be known not by
what is accidentally or purposely said
and heard but by absolute knowledge
gained by An acquaintance with both
teachers and pupils and this can be done
only by frequent and informal visits to
the rooms. urged upon the visitors
during the closing week to make us fire.
Qucnt calls in the future and promised
to publish, both in the BULLETIN and
Conservative, the names of such" l am
anxious to give these names publicity so
1t may be absolutely known here in the
city who visit and scho do not visit our
schools The promise made shall vcri-
y to the letter. Let these schools be
made the abiding personal interest of all
the patrons and let our teachers be
Strengthened by their cheering words and
our children shall bless their homes with
the influences and instruction received in
the schools.
We have good name abroad; let no
spot or blcn.ieh make it otherwise here.
WHAT sxoUAp oys acuaons 20 FOR uss
They should make Independence Il
more desirable city by reason of the IN.
situation and influences that shall con
tinually 20 out from them. Property
,,Id kA Su~raosnJ in voI,o IJon,nc