Smyrna times., 1873-06-25

general impression that his sentence will be
committed to imprisonment for life.
LATIN IN THE PUBLIC ScHooLs.-The
Board of Education in Wilmington had a
lively discussion last Monday evening as to
whether Latin should be introduced into the
public schools of that city or not. The subject
was brought up by the report cf a committee
favoring the introduction of said study, the
report being signed by three members, Messrs.
Adams, Fraim and Higgins, (the two last
lawyers) and dissented from by one, Mr..
Zebley. The argument ran after this fashion:
The opponents to the introduction of the study
contended that it was inexpedient 10 put this
additional task upon the children, where, in
most cases, they had more studies already to
master than they could well accomplish, and
that were Of far more practical character.
This is "dead language as it is technically
called, and it would seem absurd to tax chill
dren to learn an unspoken language, that few
master at best, when they rarely have time
to learn the mother tongue" good English,
as they should. 1t was contended by some
that if the study of any language than the
English were introduced why not let it be the
German or French or both, with which we
are brought in contact more and more every
year2 Some even urged the introduction of
these, especially the German, as a practical
study demanded by the necessities of the bus
iness World-if not now, then in the very near
future. One of the Judges of our courts was
fad 80 hot ho h.
exchange all the knowledge of Latin he had
for a knowledge of German and French. 1t
was further urged that the most of Latin is
now translated into English, and our children
can learn it without spending years in acquir-
ing a Latin education. The leading thought
was, that there was nothing practical or utili-
tartan in the study, and that it would not be
for the greatest good to the greatest number
to introduce it.
The advocates for the introduction contended
that, as it was the foundation of all the other
languages it must be studied to get at the root
of those we now speak; that in proportion as
the children understood the Latin they could
then more readily master the English, the
German or the French that the object in its
introduction was to give the children of the
public schools equal advantages with those of
pay schools that it was to make the best
education to be free as water to the masses
equal opportunities to all was the incentive
that governed them. Itwas further contended
thatthe introduction of the study did not re-
quire any to take it that did not wish to while
it gave those an opportunity who did, This
point was strengthened by the statement that
there are now fourteen boys of one of the pub
lie schools taking private lessons liz this study,
and that therefore the public schools were not
up to the proper standard of efficiency while
such state of affairs existed that a certain
and large classo our people were operatives,
and could not enjoy the advantages Of the rich
~ acquiring a classical education, except
through our public schools.
a. vote on the question resulted in tie-I3|
to 13-and the resolution was consequently
last. The argument for the affirmative was
participated in by A. Higgins, II. NJ. jenkins,
Col Heisler, and others for the negative by
DIR. Shortlidge, Merssls. Zebley Macalister,
Roberts, and others. We thus refer to the
question because it is practical one. 4