Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-11-05
H PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

Mr.. Pickett Carrying out Dr. Mitch.
ellis Pian of Educating Rich Mems
Sons at the Expense Of the Poor
Pickett Employs Latin, French
and German Teachers: Also, q La
dY 10 Lecture on His Wonderful
Course OF study.
To the Editor Of the Ledger:
Our people must bear in mind that in
his recent report to the Beard, DR.. Mitch
ell declares: He is satisfied that the
grammar grade lthe three r's) is the
proper limit upon the public obligation
to provide free education" We must
also bear in mind our wise Doctor uses
the whole force of his powerful intellect
to urge the Board and the people to go
beyond that proper limit" The Doc
tors arguments are as strong as the In
tellect that originates them. He tells US
we must support high schools, because
the sons Of rich men can get their Latin
and Greek more eheaply in free schools
than elsewhere" He furthermore as
sures us the sons Of poor men FIN
ish their schooling with the three
RS. Poor mems boys have no time
for Latin and Greek in high
schools; they have to stop and work
for their living" This is the Doctor
extraordinary argument for the support
Of free classical schools. 1t has the
merit Of frankness, and his statement
that poor peoples children derive no
benefit from the classical free schools is
literally true. This is the main reason
We have always advocated their abolish
mept. While we admit the Doctors
facts, we differ from his deductions. We
believe rich men should be made to pay
nell for the classical education of their
sons, and must eyen protest against the
principle Of general taxation to enable
rich boys to get Latin and Greek
cheaply. Mr.. Pickett and DR.. Mitchell
seem TO be twin brothers in the way Of
harmonious ideas" two hearts that
beat as one" Mr.. Pickett evidently Is
bent on carrying out the Doctor views
and going beyond what the Doctor says
is the proper limit" In what he calls
the normal school, containing only oae
hundred and nineteen pupils, Pickett
has now employed FIVE high-salaried
teachers, to-wit: Miss Kunkle, English
branches; Ar. Hunter and Mrs. Crockett,
Latin; a German and French teacher
and a lady to lecture. Mighty fine
for the rich people, Doctor, but
how poor people will bless you for want.
ing 10 tax them 10 keep up expensive
schools for rich mems chiidreni We are
informed the lecturer, Miss Conway. Is
mainly lecturing on Mr.. Picketts Course
Of Study. Heaven defend usi II Mr..
Pickett INDUCES the forlorn hope that.
by any pretense Of passing bis muddled
and absurd ideas through the alembic Of
Miss Conways bright intelligence, one
grain Of gold can be derived from Ria
dross, be will find himself sadly mis-.
taken. Not all the talent Of all the
schoolmarms in America ia equal 10 the
task Of subtracting one atom Of worth
from what is utterly worthless. The i'm.
poverished tax payers Of Memphis would
like to know II, in addition 10 having
paid roundly for the writing and print
ing Of Mr.. Pickett's intolerable non.
sense, they are also TO pay persons for
attempting 10 derive sense from IN /
am informed Mr.. Pickett has on hand
another Course Of Study, for which We
are expected TO pay. Good heayensl
Where is this TO end2 The fact ia. Mr..
Pickett, having no taxes himself 70 nav.
as rather reckless in this matter Of serib'.
bling and printing. The Board shonld
SET some linit to the number of couraes
OF study proper for Mr.. Pickett 10 pub.
llsh at the public expense. The Board
should also make Mr.. Pickett himself do
that featuring on his Course Of Study
y Miss Conway is driven distracted by
the impossible task Of making sense oal
OF dwelling folly, the Board will be held
responsible. The Board is In hono,
bound to protect Miss Conway from wbal
IT persisted in will surely send her to a
paahonse. Z. A. NJ.