New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-07-13
HINTS TO THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

HINTS TO THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Now that the public school examinations and
exhibitions are just over, it may be worth
while to call public attention to one or two
points in which their management, as it seems
to us, is largely susceptible of reform. Our
people are taxed more heavily than any other
nation for the free education of their children,
and it is their right to see that the whole OBJ
iect does not fall short of its end from the
creeping into the system of the national fault
and folly-a preference of show and display
to solid substance. The chief way in which
this is shown is the system of prepOsterous
examining to which we have formerly called
attention, practiced especially in the higher
grade of schools. The pupil is regarded only
ms probable candidate for teacher and the
sole aim of his instruction is to qualify him TO
bear examination on certain textbooks which
he may have to teach but on all subjects
of useful knowledge outside of these he re-
mains in absolute ignorance. The amount OF
"memorzing" required to pass these exam
nations is so large that no explanation can
be given by the teacher Eleven or twelve
books are frequently placed in the hands
of young girls of sixteen at one time, when
competing Tor rank III II 10 c'i-
dent that either the brain is injured by such
unreasonng force-work or the work is left I'M
done Another point in which this false defer
ence to display is shown is the dress worn by
the young girls at graduation, which both here
and in neighbOring cities is often of the style
and value of that of a handsomely dressed
bride. Now, however pretty and fit trailing
and decOllete white silks, walls, white kid
gloves, and satin slippers may be upon BRIDE
in the privacy of her fathers house, it was an
exceptionally vulgar and underbred taste that
prescribed them as the costume of school girls
brought before a mixed crowd of people to
receive the reward of their childish studies.
Besides, nobody is deceived by it. Nobody
goes to these school exhibitions who does not
know perfectly well that the majority of girls
before him decked in this absurd fashion have
been striving for years for the chance to make
poor pittance of two or three hundred dol
lars a year, the half of which sum has been
spent in this paltry display of an hour, which
provOkes only Tidicule or compassion.
Bad as this is, worse remains behind. Ger
tain itnerant shOwmen, with an ability to
turn ready penny by their shrewd wits,
have chosen the children and teachers of the
public schools, first in one city and then In
another as their ready victims. They find out
that q school wants a piano or an ornamental
desk, and prOpose-fOr cOnsderation-tO
show the scholars how to procure it. Where
upOn a drama is planned, illustrative of the
religion of the pagans, or of the Great Republic,
and the children are given roles to fill of Virtues
or Vices, Goddesses of Liberty, Rebellion, or
II -Io+p no 10,
turned into a theater and green-rOom; the
showmen for a consideration - furnishing
scenery, music, etc. Books are thrown aside
or hurried over. Scholars and teachers (pOOr,
tired creatures, glad of even this vapid ex
citement in their dreary drudgery) grow wild
with enthusiasm for weeks and months until
the exhibition is given. In some schools the
whole business of teaching has been surren-
dered to this work. and the pupils not en-
gagged in it sent home. Now, while it is very
desirable that the schools should have pianos
or ornamental desks, is it the scholars bust
ness to lay aside their studies in order to pro-
cure them7 But that is not the gist of the
matter. While we always heartily urge the
ennobling influence of the drama as it should
be, we protest against the vulgarity, the de-
DdSlnR eHeclS Oh sucu SHOWS dS lnlS. w nllt
we can understand the motive which leads
pure woman, feeling that she has a high call
ing to great art, to sacrifice much personal
rcticence and reserve Cat how great cost is
known only to HERSELF in order to follow that
art, we do not understand the motive which
can induce mothers to thrust innocent, modest
little girls into precOcious vanity and stage
trickery before a multitude of people for such
a paltry end. The effect of one such eXhibi-
ton is enough to faint and deteriorate a
child's mind for life.
The children in our public schools, as a
rule, belong to two classes those whose
parents are quiet, respectable people, not
too well-to-do, that desire for their girls
and boys as much solid, practical knowl-
edge as their three or four years Of school
ing will give, Which knowledge will help
them to earn their livings, and make them
useful, God-fearing men ana women. What
end of this purpose will be served by making
their boys and delicate little girls puppets in
these raree shows to which any Goug', Igom