The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1875-06-03
THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT'S
OPINION OF MANITOWOC
SCHOOLS.

We gladly copy the following extract from
a letter of Prof. Soaring to the HiIeonsin
Journal Of Education 1t places our city in a
position which every patriotic citizen will be
pleased to see.
Our observations and inquiries were chiefly
confined to the city of Manitowoc. We there
found such evidences Of the success of the
public school system as we have scarcely
met elsewhere in the State-an excellent
public sentiment, able and successful teach.
ers, admirable school buildings and county
superintendent who was elected solely on
account CT his qualifications, by the common
votes of men of all parties.
The schools are attended by substantially
all the children. There is little or no need
Of compulsory law. There can be no need
Of it anywhere under circumstances like
these. few sincere but mistaken people
send their children to private sectarian
schools, but the number is ineonsidsrable
and must inevitably grow less.
The best methods are emploved,-th word
method for instance, in teaching children to
read having superseded the letter method
with the most satisfactory and even surpris-
ing results.
Manitowoc has preserved the independent
district system, each ward being separate
district under the management Of the ordi-
nary school board. This, however, does not
appear to have there worked injury to the
school interests. There has apparently been
generous and perhaps profitable rivalry be-
tween the wards. To this may be due the
magnificent school buildings recently erected
in one OF them,-probahly the finest district
school house" in the State, perhap. not sur
passed, considering all its features, by any
high school building therein. 1t cost $40, COG
and we censi1er it very cheap at that price.
In this stately and admirably equipped
building Prof H. Barns is the efficient and
popular presiding genius. Under his cour-
teous guidance we examined every part Of it.
from the furnaces in the cellar to the lofty
cupola whence is obtained a view of the city
the lake, and the surrounding country
We cannot pass over in silence the beauti-
full grove adjoining. the choicest summer
playground that children could ask-worth,
indeed, itself a journey to sea perpetual
benediction upon those who enjoy its shades
"a JOY to the true lover Of Nature beyond
any thing in the finest of city parks-a piece
of the glorious and fragrant primeval pine
forest in which the city was founded.
| The other school building we visited, upon
! the opposite side of the river, was an excell-
ent one. In this that admirable compromise
between the eutOn anu tue 1ankee. tIol
Viebahn, exercises his genial yet culture.
compelling sway. There we had the pleas
ure of seeing an Institute Of some fifty
teachers assembled under the directorshir
of Superintendent Kirwan. who was ably as.
sisted in his work by Prof. Viebahn.
In charge of the school of another ward
and district we found Mr.. Luce, recent
graduate of Platteville Normal School, 8
younger man, with more limited exper
fence, but whom we heard we'll spoken
of
The principals are ably supported BY as
sistants Of tried ability and skill We are in
clined to think that, upon the whole, NOR
satisfactory exhibit of its educational inter
ests can not be shown by any other city o
village in the State. Manitowoc can justl,
be proud of its schools and it were well tina
4 her example should be pondered by man,
smother place where divided eo1nsels, al
unwise parsimony. and a low appreciation o
educational advantages control and stife ed
ucational progress.