Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-02-10
An Indictment of Our System of Ed.
ncafiOn

AS matter OF general public interest we give
space elsewhere to-day to the leading points OF
the incisive address OF Prof. Walter Smith, OF
Massachusetts,. before the late Educational Con-
gress In this city, Prof Smith was formerly
connected with the successful Technical SchoolS
of Industrial Art at South Kensington England
and was engaged at a large salary to come over
and introduce the same training In the SCHOOLS
OF Massachusetts. From his wide reputation
and remarkable success his address was one OF
the leading features OF the meeting. He asserts
that the safety, the wealth, and indirectly the
happiness OF nation depends upon the techni-
cal know ledge and skill 1t possesses. Any scheme
of education which does not from the first make
provision for the gradual requirement OF such
technical knowledge and skill is insufficient and
impractical. he maintains; and for the reason
that our schemes OF education have been found
thus deficient and impractical the whole subject
Of general education is now under trial. The
literary Part OF education Is Kept up but no
ample provision has been made for the techni-
cal knowledge and skill required in a vasDn2-
jOrity of the people engaged in trades and mar
features. The remedy he advises Is to introduce
the elements OF industrial skill into every grade
of the public schools in such "a manner that IL
will assist and not ObStruCt general education
The agencies are already abundant for the edu-
cation or professional men; provision should
now be made for the education OF the most no
elected class OF all. the mechanics. Taking the
fact that tie eastern, middle and western states
expended last year so, OO0, 900 for public educa
ton, he argues that no adequate results have
been received for the money in the way of real
education, which is the fitting of youth for the
occupations of adult life and the duties OF good
eltzenship. 1t Is, in fact, difficult. he says for
educators TO defend the present system of edu
ma w
want OF practical character In any way that
cOmrnendS itself to the common mind by its ex-
pilcitnesS and clearneSs. In this connection the
professor INDUCES In some quiet but effective
sarcasm In regard to the eSthetic mist of fine
phrases in which the direct and simple OBJ
Ject or education has become enveloped; the
gnttering generalttieS about developing the
mental and moral faculties OF YOUTH sthc
broadening of the intellectual powers" sc. &c.
and the manner In which the virtues of such
vague processes as disciplinary studies" s.cuI-
ture studies, &c, are enlarged upon Want of
pract1cality on the one hand and undue eXpen-
SlVeneSS On the otherare specified as the defects
OF tie present ScnOOl system. Ii is pointed out
that the enormous importations of foreign
goods. the product of skilled labor, explains
why a good many OF our native workmen are
out OF employment and why the present condi-
ton OF labor is thrftleSS and Improbable. II
Is In the interest of good citizenship that the
wage earning capacity of our workmen should
be raised by teaching them by skill and taste
how they may compete with the skilled labor
OF the Old World.
In conclusion Professor Smith urged with
force that not only should the nationa! system
OF education be made to include this kind of
training, but that the national government
should establish, or assist in the establishment
OF a great central Technical School of Indus
trial Art at Washington. This was essential as
an example TO the whole country and in order
that the extensive treasures OF material now
exiStiI g here may be utilized