, 1875-02-17

he noeting then adjourned.
LOCAL. LETTERS.
THE TUBL1C SCHOOLS.

r. the Editor ~ The Ch1eaoo Tribune:
CHICAGO, Fob. ia fow days ago, read an
acc punt by tho Qorernor-Qenoral Of Canada of
his visit to public school In Now York City, nud
was aB much surprised as he waa at tho inti-
rnato knowledge exhibited BY the scholars in tho
higher walks Of literature; md, as vas scholar
In several OF the public schools Of that city aomo
thirty-fve or forty yearb ago, perhaps All account
OF how the schools wero then conducted may bo
beneHcsl, in view Of changes imperntivoly do
manled in tho schools Of Chicago.
In the first place, there wns ons Principal, md
he was tho responsible hoad from tho infant to
personally superntonded the highest grade, CONF
posed of w,Il-grown boys, occupying the three
front seats, facing the desk, finding time during
each day to visit the rooms governed by lady
teachers. He had three or four mnlo assistants in
Lis room, whose duty 1t WAS to accompany
their claBBcs TO their recitatiou-roolns. re-
turning with them to tho main room after hear
ing their lessons the Principal often Writing tho
room ~ foreman might In o manufacturing
business. thought thou, as think now. they
wero too nustere, as it was much harder then
than now to get chilaren to 80 willingly to
school; and truancy was more common than
now.
The Great Moguls Of Tho schools we're tho
Trustees rcnerAlly oldorlY gentlemen, affahlo
snt, benevolent, two or throo III number, WHO
visited fthe school once eyery xix or ten days
tgeneray when least expectod). examined tho
scholars in THAR own way. and not that OF THO
teacher, taking care that they wore proficient i'll
tho ru1imsnts, especially In arithmetic and
grammar. Tho scholars were alwaJs pleasod to
sec them, as their friendly manner WAS pleas
Iheir viBita wero benehclBl to the teachers as
vol a. to the children, keeping the for
mer up to their duties, and IN every WAY
making their supervision felt. Thon I
a. i r
Interested in tho waIfare Of tho public schools
OF Chicago. particularly tie 1Iayos School Oh
Leavitt street, and should lite in o friendly
apitit to giyn tho result Of sotue observations.
ton with thns school. Ny house has been q
placo Of resort for s1e young girls Of tho neigh
hozhood from u to 10 yearB OF ago attending Oh
/ that school, and Whenever would cndeavor to
got discouraged on finding that they kne~ moth
Ing comparatively Of their multiplication table,
although attending that school seyolal years,
being under ono teacher from eighteen to twen-
! ty-four months; children OF average intellect.
| tho best part Of that school district.
| The children loved their t:acher, who
| in one Of the mo%t amsablo ladies' Ut the Wont
| Hide but after comparing the progress OF her
| puplla with those who attended private schools,
| and from observations brought before me-, i
| think there Is room for improvement In lor
| room. 6oms few. weeks ago, several Of these
piIlB we're advanced to NlgAer room, aid It ia
| very gratifying to note tho rapid progress they
| have made under more thorough teucher.
| Ons OF your correspondents ndyiees parents 10
| visit the schools; but would it not bc better ii
soue Of our philosophical citizcus could DO
| Induced to act az Trustees, Without ten1unera-
ton, but yet with authority to make their dis
| pleasure felt; whose duty it should be
| 10 ascertain how long achotars have beot,
| under certain teachers especially when Children
a.o promoted to SEQ tic material left tie
lower grades III proper shape Pan act OF justice
to tho teacher they have boon advanced TO, and
a strong roprllnand to the ono they left should
| they be returned.
What good effect 1t would have On teachers
and pupils could such genial men as Robert Col
ye. and Mz. FArwcll 10 induced to visit the
schools IN somi-oifcial character, as formerly
dono In New York; and for teachers to know
| thnt their retention aud advancement waB do
| ue1ldont on their merits and recommendations
| FROM such Trustees,
Should this letter bo criticised, wish to state
! that am not familiar With tho workings Of the
| school system what little information have
has been ohtnlncd from questioning chi!drsn ut
tonding the Hayes anu Brown Schools. From
the pupils Of the former learn TINT visitor il
| rarity and can easily conceive how lax thing
may ri adually becomo it there Is not moro I'll
| peryIslon from somD source.
! 4 WFIT.W1NtYFn.