The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-04-27
School Commiffee Hearing.

the Committee Mr.. Talbot, opened WITH 10"
remarks in which he said the question OF re-
ducing the number of hours OF intermediate
and grammar schools was so important that
the Committee desired an expression OF the
teachers aud particularly of the parents. The
Committee did not propose to give their own
op1nions but desired free expression of those
present.
Mr.. Talbot then called upon Mr.. Harris,
Principal of the Park Street Grammar School
to give the result of his observation. He said
he might be regarded as an interested witness
but he was parent as well as teacher He
thought that the physical vigor of the child
when our schools continued so large a part of
the year, required reduction of hours. The
chlld.became tired the last hour and nothing in
the long run was accomplished, The first hour
children took to their books as though they
were eager for them. The long confinement
the bad ventilation, the cramped positions
made six hours too long time. In reply to a
question by Mr.. Abbot, TMr. Harris said that
he did not think much change would be neces
ssry in the course of study, that is the scholars
could do about as much in five as in six hours
a day. He intimated that the course of study
might be improved, the time extended in gram
mar schools and the high school grade rails
ed.
Miss Harris of the Bracket School, Miss
Chamberlain and several lady teachers thought
as much work could be done in five hours with
less effort, and that the courage and vigor of
pupils could be more easily maintained. They,
however, thought if but one grade could have
oh l,o ~,
Messrs Tayler and Pennell said that if but
one grade could have the sessions reduced in
length, it should be the primary; but in the
primary no real work was accomplished after
recess. About all that was done in the last
hour was to give the pupil distaste for study.
Hon. S E. Spring being called on said he
had opinions on this subject, but must first ex
press to the Committee his thanks for this
privilege of being consulted. 1t could not
have been under the old Committee. He did
not generally believe in special providences,
but he thought that the people Of Portland felt
that their deliverance from the Committee of
twenty one was an interposition of that charac-
ter. He thought the average citizen breathed
freer for the abolition of this peerage, which all
had come to regard as something that would
have to be endured to the end of time. As to
the question of sessions. he thought that five
hours day for a child was enough. After two
hours in the afternoon, nothing was accom-
pshed beyond everybody becoming cross. Mr.
Spring then sharply criticised the work requir-
ed of small scholars and the system of mark
ing. He spoke of "a child being urged to do
seventeen examples in order to get mark of
four. The child was anxious all night and
woke up nervous in the morning. Teach small
ones what you can without breaking their
health and spirits. At best they, as have all
the rest of u.s. will have to learn the best lessons
out of doors.
Col. Merrill followed Mr.. Spring. He was
glad that the Committee had taken into consid-
GRAFTON so important matter. Hewas de-
cdedly for shorter sessions for all grades below
the high school. He had at times considered
primary schools as conducted, system to pre-
vent education. He ridculed the idea of at
tempting to make small scholars study. He
also spoke of the unftness of several of the
school houses He was encouraged at the
common sense view of the Committee and felt
that if they accomplished a reduction of hours
the old Committee had not died in vain.
Mr.. Patten, Principal of the High School
thought that the hours might be reduced with
but little loss in the effective work.
Mr.. j. M. Palmer said that he had a new in
yenton for ventilation that was most valua-
BILE device, but with that he wanted less hours
of school day. He had taken one child out of
school and sent her to private school because
the tax was too severe. His experience as
teacher for years in the grammar grade in
Bangor was that under the spur of being dis
missed when the lessen was learned no matter
if the scholar was not in school an hour day,
more work could be accomplished than under
the present system. He spoke at length of the
results of his experience as a teacher.
Councilman McAleney of Ward 2, was sorry
to differ from the others. He was certain that
reduction of the number of honrs would re-
suit in injury to the poorer people. A large
number of mothers kept their children in
school by their toll while they were away, dur
ing which time their houses were shut up. In
respect to the grammar grade, poor parents
were anxious their children should get all the
schooling they could before their labor would
become valuable to them. A reduction of
hours would increase the number of years they
must be a burden. He did not object particu-
iarly to the primary, but thought so far as it
related to the boys of poor people in the gram
mar schools it would be hardship.
Mr. Saunders, the caterer took the same
view.
Mr.. Hawks was for shorter sessions.
Mr.. Witham would always dismiss school
when the classes got to the lesson in Hagar's
Arithmetic.
Frederick Fox, Esq, the School Agent, said
that the school houses, nearly every one of the
eleven, we're less fit for schools than some
stables he could fird. With the Committee on
Public Buildings he had visited all of the places
where school was kept. Repairs were needed
to preserve the health of the childten of the
city, and he was maturing plan which he pro-
posed to submit to the City Council. He had
discontinued one school because it was an out
rage to keep children there. The building was
rented.
In the course of the session Mr.. True of the
committee spoke in high terms of the energy
and time Mr.. Fox was giving to the schools.
He congratulated the citizens on the fact that
such grave responsibilities had fallen upon so
straightforward and intelligent a man.
Mr.. Talbot also spoke of the method of tie ach.
ing scholars in the primary departments to
the effect that all attempts to cause such schol-
ars to study was useless. They only learned
while the teacher was giving to each one her
attention, consequently the difficulty attending
the matter of cutting short the primary schoo
sessions
At five o'clock the conference ended, Mr..
Talbot thanking the ladies and gentlemen for
their presence and expressions
It is hoped that the committee will give fur
Their invitations of this character.
IMPORTANT PURCHAsE.-Messrs. Desser, Nc
Lellan & Co. of this city, have just negotiated
with Messrs. Masters & Co. of Hallowell. SO
we'll known as the publishers of the Maine Re.