Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1876-05-06
COMPETITIVE EXAMINATIONS.

EDITOR lNTELLIGENCER: Mr.. n. NJ.
Beckwith, member from New York of the
Executive Committee of the United States
Centennial Commission, submitted in Oc-
tober last, a report upon the selection and
appointment OF judges. This report pro-
posed = radical change in the method of
awards. 1t dispensed with the 1nterna-
tional jury, and substitutes n body Of two
hundred judges, ons-half foreign, chosen
Individually for their high qualifications it
dfspenses, also, with the system of awards
by graduated medals, and requires OF the
judges written reports on the Inherent and
comparative merits of each product thought
worthy of an award, setting forth the prop
critics and qualities, presenting the consider
atoms forming the ground of award, and
avOuching each report by the sigature Of its
author, &c. The announcement of this
method of awards has been received in
foreign countries, as far as heard from, with
expressions OF distinct appreciation. 1t has
been adopted. et s,. ...
MIR. Beckwith's report is published in the
Popular Science Monthly for May 1875
Prof. E. L.. Youmans, the editor of the
Monthly, makes on this report some very
judi, ,ous comments. Alter approving the
change in the method of awards, and point
ing out some of the neral bearings of the
case on industry. Prof. ouman extends
the principle to the field OF education, and
says But the policy initiated at PhiladeI-
phia has a still further Significance. 1t is
not merely a transient expedient in the
tactics of a great show, but 1t d~iscloses u
principle of Wide and permanent application
in society. Its adoption strikes a blow at
the all-prevailing habit OF Offering prizes as
artificial stimulants to effort, instead of
making the intrinsic excellence of work
and its intelligent appreciation the true I'M
pulse OF exeItioa and enterprise. Competi-
lions are inflained in all directions by sordid
and selfish temptations, but it is in educa-
ton that the system of extrInslc rewards
Fictitious proyocations OF giving prizes
In schools Is vicious, as substituting spuri- |
GUS and unworthy motives to exertion,
when the very object is to form the charac-
ter by bringing generous and ennobllDg in
elements into habitual and controlling ex.
ercise. To beat an antagonist. and win q
medal or a purse, is q vulgar and sordid in-
ducement to study, and convicts the school
that resorts to it, of inefi clency in Its legiti-
mate and mo st essential work. 1t is, more
over, an injurious agency in education, as
It is constantly used to stimulate students in
false directions, and to the excessive cultiva-
ton of unimportant subjects. Our educa-
ton Is in q state Of chaos in regard to the
relative values of different kinds of knowl-
sdge. Thu waste Of time and effort over
worthless studies Is some
thing quite appalling, and 1t is everywhere
aggravated by plying scholars with premi-
Inns for special attachments. Rich block
leads, with narrow notions AMI tenacious
'%rocliets, smitten with the vanity OF ,becom-
ng public benefactors, 60 into the schools
and found prizes and medals which set the
Students to racing in any direction which
'he whim or caprice of the donor may in
1lcate. This evil is confessed, and has be-
SO glaring that some institutions have
wisely put an end to such interference.
But, as 1t is driven from the schools, it is
AIKEN up by outsiders, as we have seen in
he intercollegiate contests that have lately
come in vogue. Against this whole system
he Philadelphia policy, as presented In Mr..
report, is a tacit protest. To
get things upon their real merits is q victory
lnywhere-tO, do this upon q great, unpre-
national occasion is u triumph
'ut there is no reason for adopting the prin-
'iple IN an exhibition OF the products of
manufacture that will not apply with in
force to the management of edu-
ational establishments.>'
Here is a subject for the grave eonsidera-
ion, not only of those who influence public
social morals, but more particularly of
hose who are connected In any way with
he education OF the young. S.