The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1877-08-18

United ststeE, and are managed by the
best educators. In writing their history
their superintendent says: "In 1910 an
important step was taken In providing for
instruction In the German language by
an act Of the Legislature, where the chill.
dren were taught German, simultaneous.
y pursuing the ordinary studies in Eng.
iiSh. In this manner movement for the
separation Of the Two classes Of our citl.
zena was most judiciously nipped In the
bud, and abundant meAls provided for
Welding into one whole the youth Of our
people, without losing sight oil the dis.
liDguishing excellenCies which are the
best characteristics Of both the German
and native stock" See 47th annual rep.
Cincinnati schools, August 81, 1877, page
1867 In these public schools German Is
studied from the primary grade 10 the
senior Of the High schools. Total Of pu.
pills 26,6l3, Of which 5,lI0 study the Ger
man language wide report.l The super.
intendent 10 discussing the question:.
whether the study Of the German ian.
guage retards or advances the study Of
English? States that "the experience Of
the Cincinnati schools clearly points 10
the negative. It 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 re.
striC.ed 10 English alone, and its etFect
certainly has not beepto lessen the influ.
enCe and acquisition Of the English Ian.
guage." (see 47th An. Rep.) Further
quotations are unnecessary; such are the
views, experiences and counsel OF the
abiest men in the country, and we submit
Il 10 your careful consideration. Listen
to the language Of the majority resoln
ton, "Until high school Ia established, :
etc,-a standing quotation In this Boart
less near contamination now than Il wa
20 years ago, when we possessed sitt
expressly for its erection, but now lonL
since sold.
The policy Of cutting of facilities fol
progress and advancement In our schools
reducing the numbers and salaries Of oul
teachers, making it cheap, not only Grip
pies and stunts their usefulness, but deal
q death blow 10 their existence, and vi
solemnly warn the members Of this Board
who are elected by the people as watch
men and guardians OF this sacret
trust, not 10 allow their judgment 10 b.
blinded by an outcry Of alleged extraya,
giant or useless expenditure, or that goot
sense insultcd by the insinuations Of ig
norance and sophistry. Ye friends ant
patrons Of public schools stand to You
posts; let every poor man rejoice that thC
spirit Of freedom has, under our Stat,
laws, at the expense Of the rich, pro
vided for his children free schools, wher,
may be obtained for them the only guar
antce OF their future usefulness and re
spectibility-a good education. Loci
with jealousy and suspicion upon pre-
texts for changes, tho tendencies Of whicl
are to reduce them 10 u. b. c. schools, ant
with favor upon all means calculated 4
promote and enlarge their studies. Blu
the majority resolution says: "Germar
Instructions and recitations must be con
Quoted in separate rooms" Every mem
Der ofthe board knows, under the presen
occupancy Of the school rooms, this TO b,
entirely impraeticable, and we believ,
unnecessary and inexpedient, we there
fore offer the following.
RcJoired, That this board continue III,
present plan Of teaching German in III,
public schools Of Wheeling.
All Of which is respectfully submitted
Z. A. HiLDRETH,
GEo. MoCuLIY,
WIN. HASTINGS,
Members Of Special Committee