Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1879-05-03
PRACTICAL EDUCATION.

We copy from the Baltimore Sun, OF
the goth ulr., the following article for
the special benefit of orr amiable and
erud,e contemporary of the "Free
Press" whose classic terms in review
of our correspondents on the Free
School qaestion will entitle him to the
high distinction of biliingsgate au-
thor. He has also shown o malicious
persistoncy in mis-stating us on this
question. We have announced our OPP
position to the Free School ia,o Of Hest
Vnginia, aud still adhere to it, as be-
ing pregnant with many iujustices,
which we apprehend are apparent to
every reasonable and rejecting man. "A
law which would permit such charac-
ter as ''.Iim Carroll to come into our
midst, stay long enough to acquire a
right to vote to impose tax upon the
industrious property holder to educate
his children if he had any, when he HIM
s.lf paid no tax, is simply en- outrage OF
justice.
Every person should pay poll tax
before allowed 10 vote, which should be
appropriated tor the benefit of Free
Schools, to educate children whose pa
rents are not able to give them q
thorough education; and pass law
compelling children to attend regularly;
and then let each county educate its
own children; employ competent teach
ers and pay them commensurate salar-
les.
The enormous school taxes then would
be eqaalized-not resting upon one
class alone. Those who pay no taxes
are as much or more benefited by the
Free School system as that class who
pay all the taxes, consequently they
should assist TO carry the burden.
BY adopting the above plan, the
school taxes then would be much less;
the children would receive the benefit
OF the money expended: and higher
standard of education would he had:
In some of the journals Of the day
which 10 not have the fear of the politi-
clan continually before them lively and
useful discussion il, now going on in re-
gard TO the grave defects CT common
school education in not adapting itself
plainly enough TO the real needs of the
educated. The clover education" it is
contcnded, is as important in some very
essential respects as the higher, aud, rs
rule, it is wofuliy neglected. y lady has
recently written to Il London newspaper
TO say that in the village near where she
lives no woman among the farm laborers'
wives knows how 10 take care OF her
home, low 10 cook or TO look after her
children; and she mentioned several in
stances III which the poor children had
died from this ineXpcricnce and igno-
rance. 1t is 10 be feared that an inquisi-
ton into the knowledge OF the details of
housekeeping, sewing and nursery man
arement possessed by the fair girl gradu-
ateS OF our female high shoots, with all
their mastery of ologics and ismS, would
reveal Il state of dcstitution and poverty
much more shocking than that disclosed
in the chronicle OF Miss Flora McFlim-
sey. The general education OF the day
certainly cannot be said to be perfect ia
its methods or the best possible means to
the end sought. We teach boys book
Keeping when we expect them TO become
clerks; Latin and Greek when we intend
them to enter the learned professions;
but what DO we teach girls who are to be-
come mothers ana housewives, or, 1t may
be, who will need to become domestic
servants? AI.ondon comic paper recent
" published 4 clever print showing
maid servant applying for place, and
with the following conversation for its
legend: "Lady-IOu have not been out
10 service yet, therefore you have no
character? Applicant-No, mum; but
I've got three school board certificates.
Lady-Ah, well, that's something. Are
they for honesty, cleanliness, OIL?
Applicant-No, please mum, for litera-
,oor, .jograify ard free-hand drawin'."
Ting satire is true enough to bite. MUTA-
IT'S MUTANDIS, it illustrates the most radi-
cal detect of our common school system"