The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-09-03

labor would show how far the true ends of
education have been kept in view, if the exam
nations are conducted in a proper manner
And these tests of progress and proficiency, if
they would be anything more than mere tricks
and blinds to deceive the people, will not be
confined to the mere issue of how much
of the textbook course can be cor
rectly recited in the final trial, but will rather
be put in way to bring out the amounts of
mental muscle endurance and ingenuity that
have been developed in the mental gym
nasium. Let the scholars in the public
schools, ct least, be made to understand that
their progress will be measured not 80 much
by the accuracy with which they memorize
their tasks as by their ability to solve,
in each branch, original questions pro-
pounded by chosen examiners, selected
from the best practical as well as specu-
lative minds in the community. Adopt
ing this and kindred expedients for keeping
the prime end of their work-education in its
genealogical sense-ever before both teacher
and taught our school boards will find that
they are doing work which will not end with
the mere fireworks display of the examination
room, but will rebound to the permanent
good of their cause and of those committed
to their kindly and far-sighted care.
Such reform land who will say it is
not needed?) would do more than all the ar
guments in favor Of generous and we'll sup
ported free school system, in making the lat
ter the most dearly cherished of all our ma
tional institutions, so that in coming ages we
might point to our educational system as
more enduring monument Of renown than the
colossal aqueducts and noble bridges and still
solid roadways which have rendered Augustan
Rome imperishably great.
The Farmers Granges - The Main
Question Discovered.
We have been somewhat surprised at the
apparent ignorance or short-sightedness of
the farmers oranges in reference to the ways
and means for securing the great object for
which they are so earnestly laboring cheap
transportation of their products to market.
Their little plans of cooperation for mutual
protection against the railway monopolies
may all be well enough as far as they 60,
but they do not go far enough to reach the
main question. At q recent meeting, how
ever, of the "Boston Grange of the Patrons
of Husbandry," Mr.. Amasa Walker, of Massa-
chusetts, with practical bankers perception
of the necessities of the case, very clearly
showed that the farmers in looking for relief
against railway monopolies and extortions,
must look to Congress, and that in looking to
Congress the first thing to be done sis to elect
men to Congress whom you can trust" and
next you must have specified measures upon
which to hold them to strict accountability
Mr.. Walker next suggests that there
are three why's whereby the great object
by general laws fixing the rates of freight and
passenger fares on all the railroads in the
country; secondly, by building new and COM
petent lines, at the expense Of the national
government, between the chief marts, West
and East, as between Chicago, New York.
Boston, &C.; thirdly, by the purchase of all
the roads by the government and leasing
them out to parties, under such restrictions as
would seem best for the public interests Mr..
Walker thinks this third plan would be best
for the general interests of the country; but
we think that his frst-named plan of Con-
gressional action is the easiest, simplest and
readiest way to cheap transportation, notwith-
standing the difficulties he suggests of the
varying costs of the construction and running
Of different railroads. The main question,
how can we secure cheap transportation
throughout the country? has been brought
forward for the consideration of the farmers,
and for doing them the great service of
answering it for their information they ought
to be very thankful.
It is folly to beat about the bush and o
waste of time to seek relief in halfway expe-
dents. If we are to have this desirable thing
of cheap transportation it must come from
Congress; for with us Congress only has "the
power to regulate commerce with foreign
nations and among the several States" If
the oranges, then, really mean business in
their organization against railway monopo-
lies, extortions and frauds, they will hesitate
no longer in bringing their batteries to bear
upon Congress. 1t is absurd for these farmers
to talk of keeping out of politics. If they de-
sire to remove any great public wrong, or to
secure any important public right denied
them, they must take it into the political
forum and demand hearing and action upon
it. They are strong enough upon this trans
portation question to commando hearing from
Congress, and they should do it with the
meeting of the two houses in December next.
The WAR IN SpAN-The English Vice Ad-
miral, Yelverton. has forwarded the captured
Spanish iron-clads to Gibraltar. The Carta-
genist insurgents opposed the project Of
British action firmly during some few days !;
but it appears as if the Admiralty orders from
Downing street proved more potent in the end
than their patriotism. The exact point of