Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-08-23
..Nri.s Erowr., Upon school Reform

Nh Dear Star:-Af.er mature deliberation l
have come to the conclusion that no city on
this earth can boast OF Inhabitants so beauti-
fully tanned into utter submissiveness as our
blessed Washington.
Our people pay for Improvements they never
eee they pay TOR wates when
bath-t1bs a hollow mockery; ehey are afflicted
with . staDd-pipe and people who pretend to
believe In 1t; they have their lives endangered
eratiops Of bad smells, and still they smile and
deport themselves generally like candidates for
promotion to the corps OF seraphim.
or course, this meeknesS of spirit is beautiful
to behold, and rather imagine that the Car of
all the Russ1as would enjoy his rest more ii his
people were more extensively blessed with 1t;
stul, When 1t comes to pocketing gently all
then, In the words OF Mrs. Chick, it seems time
to "make an effort" From all directions the
voice OF parents, teachers and pupils has called
tem--for more thoroughness aud less super
ances. the next school es year sN win be But
very slightly modified edSn Of the last
children will pore over their books ttll eyes and
brain are too tired to obey the Will, teachers
Will be worried into jmpat1ence and nine-tenthS
Of the pupils will come out, at the end of the
school year, With but a confused idea Of what
ought to be perfectly familiar to them. True,
we point With pride to the number OF teachers
our public schools furnish; when we consider
though. that this number represents, almost
wholly, the only pupils who have reached the
proficiency required OF all, then our pride
must needs be like that Of the peacock when,
by chance, he catches sight Of bis feet.
Sitting In car, a few days ago, a young
lady-a specimen pupil OF the niue -tenths who
are always transferred without having ever
garding Germans that they always enjoy
'Lhe1rselVes" very much at their tests. An
other, also member of that class made Bal
a AIorvD
ease Imaginable: while yet another located
Georgia south Of Connecticut, without any
computations OF conscience whatever.
1T, Ihese are only few specimen fruits of our
the "Hm1t" down to the capacity OF a mediocre
intellect and then, to give the quicker mind a
fair field, have semi-annual examinations, and
transfer at each one all those who are fit for a
higher grade? That system was followed in
the school which ! attended at Berlin, and
proved so thoroughly successful that l intro
OF service in the grand school-ma am army,
without ever having cause for regret.
The first step to be taken in the direction OF
having a sensible, efficient school system, is to
have practical educators on the school board,
man may be great general, but that does
not necessarily make him profound lawyer:
he may be first class shoemaker, but does
bridge or paint picture? Why then assume
that pleasant gentleman or successful banker
or merchant must needs be the man for seat
vi INC SCAOOi DOtfU. NcNef, since tne w. q Il.
R.R. existed were its affairs In such thoroughly
good condition, was the time, the road, the ser
vice. so good as now. Why? Simply because
1t boasts man at the head of its affairs who
worked bis way up and thoroughly understands
what he Is about. Why then not take the lesson
into such serious matters as the veal and woe
Of our children?
Besides. the mothers, being the natural edu-
Gators of their children, have as perfect
right to have voice In this matter as
the fathers, and half OF the board should con-
S1st OF women, who have been successful
teachers and still possess that love for children
and earnest interest In educational affairs,
which alone make the heaven-appointed
teacher. The question may arise where such
ladies' can be found. Well, Mrs. Lockwood.
who, before She entered the legal profession,
was most excellent teacher, mas already been
proposed for the place, and Mrs. E. w. Keech,
served long, faithfully and successfully In the
same field and would make trustee after ones
own heart: All that is required is that every
father and mother, in and around our city.
should make the aforementioned effort in be-
half OF change for the better, before that Old
Man OF the Sea (of cramming) settles himself
upon the necks OF our wretched young SinDads
again ana drives 10 the verge OF desperation
you anu MISS BROWN.