Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-12-28
HIGH SCHOOL A

The people of Memphis have to elect
ten school visitors on the 18th instant.
1t is proper and important that all can
didates to fill these positions should be
required to define their position upon the
so-callsd high school question, which
must be made an issue, and is really the
only one in this election. The New York
papers are discussing the proper limits
Of public education" owing to recent
Developments of the enormous cost Of
teaching the higher brssches and &C
complishments in the public schools
Of that city. The progress of the pub
lie school system all wei the country
for some years, in extravaganza by
the addition Of higher studies which
can only be specifically attended
to by nine-tenths Of the pupils, is a mat
ter we'll worth the attention of the pub
lie. The New York Evening Post, a.
liberal and public spirited a journal as
can be found anywhere, says with mucA
force:
There is nothing for which Taxpayers
usually pay more ~cheerfully than for
public education. There is no depart.
ment which they are less willing to have
managed in o niggardly manner than the
educational department. They are in
favor Of employing competent teachers
in the free schools and of giving them
fair salaries. They insist. however, that
there shall be a clear understanding a.
TO what are the proper limits of public
education, and that it shall be kept with
in those limits, What is included in the
term "a good common school education,
thatis, instruction in the English rudi-
ments Of knowledge, ought to be free to
every child in the city. So much learn
ing ought to be furnished at public ex.
pense, and no more. When a broader
and higher education is desired it shouli
be secured at private expense. Com.
missioner Wood took right ground before
the board Of apportionment yesterday
when he objected to the teaching Of
French and German in the public
schools. We believe that he might have
extended his objection to Latin and
music. 1t is true he favored Latin
as a help to a knowledge Of English;
but, after all, the study of Latin
and Greek is conceded to be valuable
chiefly as an instrument of intellectual
discipline, and must be classed among
the higher rather than the rudimentary
branches. Mr.. Wood says that music
has a "civilizing effect" Undoubtedly
it has, and so has painting and sculp
ture; but they are not proper parts of o
common school education. 1t is right
for parents to covet for their children
the broadcast cultivation-whether in
mental discipline or in what are regard
ed as accomplishments; but these should
be furnished at private and not public
expense. The expenditures for the
higher branches should be stopped The
money so saved should be applied TO
making common school education wider
and better. II it is not needed fer that
purpose, the amount should be deducted
from the yearly appropriations.
Commenting upon this the Courier.
Journal says; The last point is we'll
made. The enhancement Of the fund
will enable the largest number to pr.
take of the benefits Of instruction in the
necessary branches, and that is what the
State should require. Industrial educa.
ton could well be substituted for French,
German or Latin. There is, VIC know, a
wide difference of opinion on this sob.
ject, but the logic is on the side of limit
ing sOmewhatthe present scope Of pub.
lie education"