The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1877-08-17


ucstors. In writing their history, their
superintendent says: "ln l64O an i'm
portant step was taken in providing for
instruction in the German language b.
an act OF the Legislature, where the chill
dren were taught German, simultaneous
" pursuing The ordinary studies
English. IL this manner q movement
Tor the separation OF the two classes OF
our citizens was most judiciously nipped
in the bud. and abundant means pro-
vided for welding into one whole the
youth OF our people, without losing
sight OF the distingui hing excellencies
which are the best characteristics O.
both the German and native
stock" (See 47th annual rep.
Cincinnati schools, August 81, 1877, psgs
266.) In these public schools German lie
studied from the primary grade to the
senior of the High schools. Total OF
pupils 25,6l3, of which l5,ll9 study the
German language wide report The
superintendent in discussing the ques-
ton, whether the study of the German
language retards or advances the study
OF English2 states that "the experience
of the Cincinnati schools clearly points
to the negative. 1t facilitates and makes
clear the laws of grammar. Practically
the average age of children going from
the lower to the higher grade, passing
in English the same examination Is
lower than those whose studies have been
restricted to English alone, and its effect
certainly has not been to lessen the IN
fuence and acquisition OF the English
language" (See Attn An. Rep Fur
Their quotations are unnecessary such
are the views, experiences and counsel
of the ablest men III the country,
and we submit it to your careful con-
sideration. Listen To the language oil
the majority resolution, Until high
school is established" etc,-a standing
quotation in this Board less near con-
summation now then it was 20 years
ago, when we possessed site expressly
for its erection, but now long since sold.
The policy OF cutting of faclltles Tor
progress and advancement IN our schools,
reducing the numbers and salaries OF our
teachers, making it cheap, not only
cripples and stunts their usefulness, but
deals death blow TO their existence,
and we so!emnly warn the members OF
this Board, who are elected by the peO-
pie as watchu en- and guardians OF this
sacred trust, not TO allow their judgment
to be blinded by an QUERY of alleged ex-
travagant or useless expenditure, or
their good sense insulted by the In
situations of ignorance and sophistry.
Ye friends and patrons of
public schools stand to your posts
let every poor man rejoice that
the spirit of freedom has, under our State
laws, NJ he expense of the rich, provided
for his children Tree schools, where may
be obtained for them the only guarantee
of their future usefulness and respectl-
blliLv-a good education. Look with
jealousy and suspicion upon preteXtS tor
changes, the tendencies Of which ara to
reduce them TO 3. b. c. schools, and with
favor upon all means calculated to pro-
mote and enlarge their studies. But the
majority resolution says: German IN
structions and recitations must be con-
Quoted in separate rooms" Every MEM
Der OF the board knows, under the present
occupancy of the school rooms this to be
entirely lmpracticable, and we believe
unnecessary and inexpedient, we there
fore offer the following:
Resotved, That this board continue the
present plan of teaching German in the
public schools OF Wheeling
All of which is respectfully submitted.
f. A. HILDRETu,
GEO. MGCULLY,
WIN HAsTISGs,
Hemjers of Special Committee.
Dr.. Hump moved to adopt the resolu
ton ccompsuying the minority report
and lengthy discussion ersued, during
which numerous petitions largely signed
by citizens of Wheeling were read, favor
ing the teaching of German IN tho
schools.
THE VOTE.
The question being called for, vote
resulted:
Ayes-BingelI, Bowers, Goering, Has
tlngs, Hess, Hildreth, Hupp, McCuIly,
Scots.
Noes-Baird, Caldwell, Cochran, Col.
lltT, It lLL-lInL nbu>' VI dA "cii' ihItlOAi
Todd, Watkin, Wilson's, Wheat Ill.
And so the motion WAS lost by 9
to i.
DR.. Hildreth moved to postpone action
on the majority report, which mo-
ton was lost on the same vote US given
above.
II was then moved to adopt the ma
jority report, which motion was carried
by the came vote that defeated the mi
nority report as follows:
AYEs-Bsird, Caldwell, Cochran, Col
ler, Fltzsimmons, Maxwell, Miller
Todd, Watkins, Wilson, Wheat-ll.
NoEs-Blngell, Bowers, Goering, Has
t1ngs, Hess, Hildreth, Hupp, McCully,
Scots
UPERINTENDENT's REPORT.
WHEELING, August 10, 1877.
To the Board Of Education:
CENTENNIAL your regular meet
ing in June you appointed two persons