New-York tribune., 1875-11-26
pIfys rOR THE UNTER SCHOOLS.

Our remarks the other day upon the training
of children in the proper use of money nave
provoked much discussion i'll family and edu-
cational journals. Among other supplements
to our plan of giving to each child small
stated sum for its uncontrolled use, a system
has been suggested which has been for fifteen
wears adopted in q school in this city. Wages
are mid the boys for all school work !;
these wages being checks upon q bank organ
lied by the teacher. To give this paper money
apprecable value the parents are requested 10
make the pocket-mo of the boys percent
ace of their school earnings. ~ the highest
school-eaInings amount 10 five or six dollars
par week. one per cent would give the boy five
or six cents of real money. Each scholar is
OBLIGED TO calculate and draw check upon the
bank before receiving his wages.
The sole objection which we see to this plan
ia that il makes too much depend upon boys
proficiency in school. The lad who ranks
HIGHEST IN class is ordinarily the one to whom
Nature has given an alert, ninible brain and
a ready power of memorizing words. 1t by no
means follows that he surpasses in solid good
sense. discretion. manliness, or even industry
the duh fellow at the foot of the bench.
school distinctions of marks and rank are re-
wards quite sufficient for this superiority; it
is not expedient that the discrimination be
carried further especially into the matter Of
spending money, which, as we have argued,
should form part of the educational machinery.
The chances are that b, who lags over his
Virgil aud fails to appreciate the beauties of
the HAD will make a slnewdcr, stcadier
business man than brilliant little ~ who is
always dec, and will, therefore, require stricter
training in the proper value of money.
The plan of a school bank is, however, most
earnestly to be commended We know of
schools into which it was introduced by the
teacher. not as part of the instruction, but as
new amusement. The boys themselves were
president, cashiers, telers, etc. The checks
and money were printed by the boys, and the
whole business of the bank WAS carried out
accurately, the advice and instruction of the
teacher being anxiously sought, not prOllered.
| The same instructor organized two literary So
cieties in bis academy (none of the pupils
were over sixteen years OF age), the boys con-
ducting them without other interference than
an occasional visit from instructors or parents
as audience besides these a post-oilice was
kept open during play hours. The fines IN the
society and the postage were paid by checks
on the bank. These matters may seem
trivial 10 Indifferent outsiders, but parents
or Others who are interested III the train
ing Of children will ut once appreciate
their importance. 1t does not lie alone in
instruction given to boys in ordinary business
usages, such rs the drawing of checks, keeping
OF accounts, or parliamentary etiquette. These
are matters which an intelligent adult can
/ 4. l.. :. e.
use them. The real Importance and actual
training consist in giving to children the idea
of a necessary routine of business habit, of a
legal system, regularity, and more than all
else. of order aud courtesy in their intercourse
with each other. The success of any such at
tempt depends of course ON the fact that the