New-York tribune., 1874-04-25
GERMAN IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.


A NATIVE OF GERMANY APPROVES COMMISSIONER
BAKERS OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES TO THE PRO-
POSED MODIFICATION AsCRIBED TO WARD PoLr-
TCIANs-oBJECTGoN TO TAXATION To PAY FOR
INSTRUCTION IN FOREIGN LANGUAGES.
To the EdttOr Of The Trt6une.
SIR: Noticing that the columns of The TRIB-
UNE have been opened correspondent upon this very
important question, who has signed himself "P f. F.
crave the same favor for the purpose and hope
that this favor may be granted, particularly wheh
announce myself citizen Of German Dir h. No
"natiysm, Kuow-NothIngsm or narrow-mlnded excu-
sveuess" can be attributed to my unqualified appro-
ment Of Commissioner Bakers tinely endeayor TO
save this taxridden community from another draI1
upon the pockets Of its citizens. German
By birth myse and well acquainted with the men who
are aglaung the question aud their designs boldly de-
clare that this agitation has originally been started by
cunning ward politicians speeuating upon the natural
preiudces Of their "olI countrymen." well knowing
that constant discussion about the Introduction or
the German language hatters the masses oi Germans
and keeps them before the people. When elections aro
taking place aud they candidates fer Offices their
camors for the introduction OF the German language
are still fresh memory" and this is the sole obJecs
to be attained by these professional agtators, all heir
re!utatons of this declaration Notwithstanding.
Why is the Polish language not permitted 10 be taughe
In the public schools Of the DLkedom OF PoseD, Polish
proyince incorporated against the wish of her people
guage permitted to be taught IN the public schools
I'm North scheswig 1856 incorporated first into
the North German Confederation and now into the King
dom of Prussia, Notwithstanding the majority Of the
people Of this province are Danes, and nothing but
Danes p Why is the German language not tolerated IN
the public schools OF Alsace aud Lorraine. tho two
provinces since 1870 attached to the German Empire,
while at least half OF the population OF LoFraDe are
Freuchmeu, and "nothing but Prepayment For tne
smple reason that the statesmen OF oerlnaDy y.
Gerlnanize all German territory. ihey nase 70 %
this work Ia the public o sonG0s t % he peon tbe de
that they live in German country that 1t is German
sSen sey 70 become Of age and tnat they are to be the
next generation OF Germans and not OF Danes.
grammar grades such a foundation be laid. Why
Shall this rule, so long applied IN Germany and never
by any stump orator as wrong not be applied herc
AEs s me- t' 70 5 :ae 1 sRq these s am
migrate toward my old, native country; hut then shall
/ have done Just as much in behalf OF freedom aud
unity IN the old country as any OF those VINO here arro
that country. But coming here and declaring myself
citizen Of this country have cast my lot with he's Ion
phaticaly declare that the schools estab
shed other purpose than the pointed out py
give our children free OF any direct expense our
selves, liberal education of elementary uoleetsD and
this is more than these professional aeitators or
ever got In the countries where they
snd waHss fs UareSs CG SG % to pay
School money! are not able TO provide for them the
requisite books maps, aliases ana stationery, are de-
graded by being sent into /" poor school" larmeu
schule), where the stigma Of poverty IL stamped
upon their faces when they have TO TO or from these
"pOor schools" carmen schuen while here In our COM
mon schools the children OF the humbest hod.eaIree
upon same footing Of equality with the children
| OF the rich banker and merchant.
since this question has become an Issue" IN the
Board OF Education the truth be told that every
dollar expended by this Board In that direction money
squandered useessly and this applies 20 the salary OF
| $4,000 per annum 10 Assistant Superintendent OF
schools that OF class teacher or the cost OF an o
book giving equivalent in return for this
fpt Ia aNpS a
and pregnant with great injury to the very object for
| which our public schools have been established
When In the course OF time the French, the Italians.
the Hungarians Bohemians and, at distant day,
also the Chinese aud japanese. make the same de-
mand" upon,the Board OF Education 10 Introduce iDiQ
public schools the languages Of their respective
countries as the Germans demand" IN their be-
half the demands should be granted with aac
rity the Committee on Course Of Study and school
Books has exhibited In saddling another little item ot
| something like 100000 annum tax lst-tho
only proper by this Reform Board Of Edueaton
10 pursue TO adhere the old system OF excua'ns
every foreign language from puDc schools and 20
put hindsrance obstruction In tue way OF
who wants his children to the language VI ns na
tive country provided. however he s wng 20 pS nr
IL OF his pocket, instead OF taxing someunhk
like 100000 people to crafty the notions oi aD11,
| :" Moilia tempOra fandL" N"~"""N''A"'
! Neq York. Apnl "A isiA