The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1875-08-21
THE SCHOOL QUESTION.
A pupil :Oi the High school Rushes
Upon "litisen," Making Few Ne

Upon "S"sse"s N"Ns"A Nv" NV
Editor Cairo Tulletin.l
In this age of progress and intellectual
advancement, am indeed surprised to |
see the manner in which the above sub |
ject is treated by some of our Cairo writ
ers.
It Is one which involves our interests,
and the interests of our city.
II Is the question which claims the UNI
divided attention OF men Of learning and
sound Judgment, who are always ready |
to lend a helping hand for the improve
mcnt of our city, and especially for the
wcll.bcing of those who arc to succeed
them.
Not narrow.minded advisers. whose
entire time, from youth to manhood, was
occupied in learning the three RS.
We have an instance of one OF the lat
ter class of individuals who attempted to
criticize our Public High School, the
branches OF education taught therein
and those connected with 1t.
lie says, there Is not time enough al
lowed for pupil to finish the course
prescribed for him.
deny the assertion.
lie labOrs under the impression that ev-
cry one Is similar TO himself. Because it
cost him number of years to secure the
few branches with which he is acquaint-
ed, consequently 1t should cost Others the
same.
do not mean TO say that the scholars
Of the High School are perfect New
tons" or gems Of learning, or that when
they are promoted from u branch that
they are perfect in It..
For the simplest study requires time to
master it, and then we cannot conscien-
tiously say that we are absolutely perfect
in that branch.
For, ifw could, who are the parents
that can wait such n length of time for
their children to secure those branches
with which it Is necessary for them to
fight the battle of lite.
Imcan to say. that when the scholar
receives the good, solid groundwork OF
the various studies taught in the High
School, and Is not possessed of brains
enough tc enlarge and enlighten his
mind with regard to those branches. ny
the facilities which are daily afiorocu '',''''
he should blush with shame 10 say he
was ever on occupant of school-room.
NJ. Individual tnen takes a glance ut
the studies pursued in our High School.
lie says the scholar should receive
nothing but an English education.
Does he mean to say that when a
scholar has passed Il satisfactory examin-
alton, prescribed for him by the Board of
Education and taught him by competent
teachers and instructors, that he should
live In darkness in regard to the knowl-
edge impaired to the world by learned
men OF other tongues? Let our esteemed
"Citizen" pause but for moment and he
will regret his assertion. lie then kindly
informs us In regard to certain person
who was In three different classes last
year.
know of none. But II there was, how
can that be preventedY
If there Is scholar tomorrow to be
examined for admission into higher
class, and he is found to DC competent
with the exception of one branch which
Is taught In the lowest class, how
is such case as this to be remedied? Is
the scholar to be permitted to enter the
higher class or the one In which the
study he is deficient in is taught!
Our"Citizen" then assails the studies
which are optional.
l ask him, shOulda pupil, whose in
tention it is to follow profession in
which it Is necessary for him to under.
stand and solve the difficult problems
which his profession may lead to,
be obliged to lay down his trigonome-
try In order to attend u class in elocution?
Citizen" pause once more and per-
ceivc your error
Finally, he concludes by saying, there
should be a Board of Trustees in order to
examine our school affairs.
How can the individual style himself
"Cltlzcn" and be possessed OF the au-
dacity to say that our present Board OF
Education is not competent to control
those afiairs-men under whose auspi-
cies the Puplic Schools have ilourshed
and have attained the honor of being
equal III not better than any of the schools
in this State or elsewhere, honors which
they have never before achicved-men
possessed Of business qualifications, but
who have never given 50 good advice as
you?
The Public Schools are the only insti-
buttons Of which Cairo can boast. Let
her do away with them; 10 away with
the system Of education pursued, do
away with the able teachers and instruc.
tors who have labored increasingly dur.
Ing the past year, accept the very kind
advice of her dutiful "Citizen," and then
take tho consequences.
l think our 'Citizen' In publishing his
article Thursday morning performed an
act OF injustice to the teachers, instruct