The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1879-06-18
1;c,man In II,c schools,


German In the schools.
Its well known that the ISrEILIGEScER
opposes all the superAuities that have
crept, and that arc constantly endeavor-
ing 10 creep, into the public schools Of the
country, by which, said schools are not
only made superficial and inefficient but
also an unnecessary burden upon the tax
PAYERS OF the land. Since the ISrELLI.
OESCER began to discuss and expose this
tendency Of the school system to increased
costliuess and decreased efficiency the
subject has been taken up by great many
Journals and discussed from the same
standpoint. In fact We know OF no daily
paper on our exchange list that dissents
from the views expressed in these
columns. Every few days We see articles
of the same general character. The
following from the Chicago Times,
on the study Of German in the
public schools, is specimen Of the way
the innovations thrt have fastened them
selves as parasites upon the original idea
Of common school system are being dis
cussed nowadays by many influential
newspapers. In crRicising the late action
of the school board Of Chicago by which
the study OF German was retained in the
common school course OF that city, the
Times says that it was largely owing to
ring OF politicians who were interested in
the appointment OF German teachers and
the supply Of German school books. TAX
ing this statement for its text it goes on to
discuss the subject OF German in the
schools rs follows:
"The result is the continuance OF gross
perversion Of the school funds and Of the
common schools from their legitimate OBJ.
iect. That is according to the terms OF
the constitution to provide for "a good
common school education" 1t was not
contemplated that any special or techni-
cal or higher education should he obtain
ed by anybody at the free schools at the
public expense. The limit OF the Obliga-
ton Of the public 10 maintain free schools
was fixed at such asystem as would afford
opportunity to all youth in the State to
acquire good common school education.
That is the fit and proper limitation upon
the scope and province Of the public
school system. And the fit and proper
limitation upon the tax levy for school
purposes is the amount required for the
support OF such common school system.
The question is not as to the value OF
further education. There can be no
question about the value Of the entire uni
versity course, including ancient and
modern languages, special and technical
branches and the learned professions.
There can be no question but that lands
and houses aud greenbacks are OF value.
The question is as to Gts obligation Of he COM
ntniiy 10 tar iLself % tIr1lish these rdlUqbLs to
The rising generation. The value OF an edu.
cation beyond the comnon.school course,
has no relation to the question. 1t is
whether the rising generation has any
more claim upon the publicfor that valua-
BILE higher education than it has for lands,
houses, greenbaCkS or other valuables.
Upon the question there is small room for
discussion. 1t is preposterous that the
public which does not attempt to endow
the rising generation with lands, houses
OrgreenbAckS wherewith to make a start
in life should at public expense attempt to
provide for endowing the rising genera.
tiOn with valuable higher education.
In the common school course proper,
German has no more place than have
French, Italian, Spanish, Latin, Greek,
Hebrew. The introduction OF German is
the 0btrusion Of higher branch into the
common schools. II is the office OF the
common schools 10 afford means OF in
struCtion in the ordinary English branches.
1t is the office OF the common schools to
provide means for the instruction in those
branches OF all the children in the city OF
school age. It's no more matter OF pub.
lie concern that any child shall be edu-
Gated in German than in French, Italian,
Spanish, Chinese or Choctaw. 1t is all
important that every child should receive
common school education in English
Those parents who would add also Ger
man should be left TO do so ut their own
expense. That study belongs to the higher
courses only, together with the languages
over which it rightfully has no precedence.
II is one OF the studies in which the public
should not furnish free instruction at ALL III
is certainly one OF those studies for which
money required to afford opportunity to
the youth oil the city for acquiring COM
mon English education ought not to be
expended.
The above is the line Of argument pur-
sued by the ISTELLIGEXCER last winter in
its opposition to the idea that the State
was bound year after year, throughout the
indefinite future, to make large appropri.
ations to an institution whereat very
few young men were fitted for professional
lie ut tho expense OF the vast body OF the
people who were taxed forty to fifty cents
on the 500 to keep up country schools
four months in the year, for the education
Of their children in the elementary
branches Of an English education. Such
appropriations are great wrong upon
the people, and in time the people will
come to sec it and put stop to it. The
masses OF the people have no more right
to be taxed to provide professional or
liberal education for the few than to fur.
nish them las the Chicago Times well puts
itl with Glands, homes or greenbacks."
All schools whereat higher education is
given should exist solely by the voluntary
patronage Of the public and not by the
confscation OF the taxes of the masses.
FoR Liver Complaint or Bilious Fever,
take wineglassinl OF Diner Rakoczy Bit.
ter Water every morning, and in short
while you will DO perfectly cured. Never
resort 10 mercury in It's various forms, as
it only affords temporary relief, and be.
sides is very dangerous drug to take.