San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1879-05-10

l'Iae Public schools,

There seems TO be q desire on the
part of some Of the people OF this
State to abolish the public school sys-
TEN and establish the whipping post.
1t is not strange that these two de.
sircs should 20 together, since both
denote an inclination toward Il return
to barbarism. 1t is true that the man.
ner in which public schools are con-
Quoted in Texas make them simply a
farce. Any person, be be learned or
ignorant, can establish q private school
and draw the public money for his pu.
rils. during the time each year that it
is supposed to last. Sush system it
would be wise to abolish. 1t can new
er be anything but a failure. But
that the public schools Of the North
are failure is untrue, and the people
who make the assertion either tell a
willtul talsehood or know nothing
about the matter, except by hearsayI
No private schools in the whole coun.
try can compare with the public schools
of st Louis in discipline. order, aud
thorough training. The whole sys.
tcm is like clock. work. No tardy pn-
pills, no staying out of school. Either,
unless caused by illness, in three days
time, loses the transgressor his seat in
school. The writer attended the Jet
fcrson public school of St. Louis some
years ago, and though she has attend.
ed some, and visited hundreds Of pri-
vate schools since then, her memory
places it high above all of them in ex-
cellence. The richest people OF that
city sent their children there, not only
to give it their countenance, but in full
appreciation Of the superior advan-
tages it offered for the education of
the young The teachers We're gradu-
ates-not from flash seminaries, but
from colleges or the public schools
themselves, which arc equal to the best
of colleges in the world. The system
of grading was SO perfect that there
was time for every study and every
recitation, never varying one minute.
The teachers never gave any COM
mands; a bell regulated every study,
every recitation and every movement
OF the pupil. So much for city pub
lie school.
But it has been urged that they are
failure in the country. False again.
Minnesota, as new State as Texas,
has her public schools in every dis
trict ten months in the year. Some
districts do not furnish more than ten
or twelve pupils, but have their schools,
nevertheless. Neither is Tom, Dick
or Harry allowed to teach. The teach
ers are examined by competent parties,
and none can take school unless hold
ing certificate that he is competent
to teach. Private schools can not
draw public money. Each district
has its own school house or school
houses, and the State pays such teach
ers as are there engaged, and no 9TH
ers.
Minnesota has three State Normal
schools, also public, for the education
of teachers. These are maryels of or
der, discipline and facilities tor learn
ing and acquiring the proper methods
of imparting knowledge. They are
dong much toward elevating the peo-
pie OF tina. section, mauy of whom are
foreigners of narrow ideas, who fight
the best efforts of the wise and good,
though directed toward their own vel
fare.
Never will Texas take her .-uc place
in the galaxy of States till she follows
the bright example Of brave little
MinuesOtJ.
a. V. II. Carpenter, Esq, OF MI
waukee, Wisconsin,, has most truth.
fully said:
TIE common school is the corner |
stone of the cOurse of culture for PRO
duciug the best average maU, II !. Is |
what it should be, otheryIse il is like /
a rotten msiD striDPer 10 = bridge I
The State j. the natural guardian Of !
that institution, a7d should be faith !
iul as ihe true parent 20 hisUTn child. /
Its support should be generous. apd /
is management mrrnaui1-gs. % 81. I.
things in the world this is tie last riacl f,
e. r,-rs--,or-- rr1 M rai-es aa "a 4D-