The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-12-07
COMMERCIAL INSTRUCTION.
Proposed Changes in the Course at
the New York City College.
RESULTS OF THE PRESENT SYSTEM.
Former Pupils Testitng to the Value 81
the Subjects Now Taught

TOItlcI VuP"S 'cS"y"S W "o 'o'"O '"
the Subjects Now Taught
Much attention has been directed within tho past
few days to the movement to make certain radical
changes in the commercial course of tho College Of
the City of New York. This course IL of one years
duration, and ut present arranged includes the
subjects of bookkeeping. photography and penman-
ship communication Is now before the faculty OF
the institution proposing to abolish instruction In
these and to devote the time thus saved for
the students to instruction in tho elements Of linear
drawing, political economy. physical geography
and politics. 1t is claimed on the ono hand
that two Of The subjects now taught arc suoh ~
should be fully covered by the public schools. while
the other is not essential to q commercial education
Opponents of the change represent that the course
now arranged has been found we'll adapted to the
requirements OF the students; that the subjects
proposed be excluded of vital importance. and
that substitutes suggested could not be taught
in a satisfactory useful manner.
PRESIDENTS VIEWS.
Last evening HERALD reporter interviewed Gen
eral Alexander g. Webb president of tho college, on
tho proposed alterations When the object
Of tho visit had been explained to him Mr. Webb
said:-"I am astonished that the students and
their parents not willing to wait until some
action has been taken before giving publicity to the
matter. The fact is simply ths:-A few days ago
Commissioner Walker wrote to me- asking
If, in my opinion. 1t was judicious to In
clude photography and penmanship in the
commercial course OF studies. As am moi
practically acquainted with the various to
which shorthand could be applied. was unwilling
to send answer until had fully informed myself
and given tho subject full consideration. imme-
diately wrote to q number Of gentlemen whom con-
slider experts, not only on this special branch OF
study. but also general education. The matter
has been mooted for long time, and decided views
have been expressed against the continuance OF the
study Of photography or course 1t Is novel. and
after certain progress. interesting as an occups
ton. and will hardly be given up without some
regret by the students"
''What IL your own opinion on the subjectr'
''well. do not to give any views the
question to the public just yet Tho present move.
ment was initiated by persons who probably under
stand it hotter than do. But soon rs have
ceived answers to my letters OF inquiry the entire
faculty of the college will consider 1t and formal
answer will be sent to Commissioner walker recon.
mending what we consider the wsest course to pur.
As for penmanship. will not have the sighte.t
hesitation in urging that It be excluded from the coli
OF study which college Is supposed to deal with.
student who comes to the college ia supposed to
tainly could not pass tho examination for I'd.
mission. commercial course is Indispensable
In such institution as the New York College, and
IL considered by all who have any experience In
matters OF education. The dropping Of these two
Bnt have not heard word about boo ikeepine. and
do not think there Is any objection to It being
taught On Monday afternoon the whole question wall
has been made. but 1t is simply lot OF foolish boys
who trying to make fuss about nothing.
WHAT NH. G.. A. WALWORTH SAYS
Mr.. G. A. walworth. who has been tho teachar az
they were Introduced into the college, Was called
upon last evening and asked what he had to say In
ton Of those branches He said that tho matter
pending before the faculty Of tho College but no was
quite Wiling to give any ip.orma1m the a1 ..
branches introduced?
I'm September. 1871. upon the compilation Of the
establishment Of commercial course therein to In
ciudc those branches"
Then you really have had over eight years expo
Il have and the course has been decided end in,
creasIDg success from the beginning.
whist proportion of the students entering the
college every year have chosen this course since u
has been establishedY'
'.At least one half"
care these branches generally considered essential
In what IL usually classed ~ course OF commercial
instructionT
They arc. There could not be what recognized
commercial or business course without at least
two of these branches In city In this country
there 10 such q course Of instruction. The only OBJ
lection to the commercial course OF the college 10
branches. Tho regular list Of the branches Of .
commercial course comprises bookkeeping. pcnman-
SSa spo .e%snts Of
"How many students have been taught In these
branches annually
about two hundred and Nifty"
Then what rs the cost to tho city for such in
Less than SIS for the whole years instruction"
"what is the average cost Of each student in the
collesc?"
what would be the ordinary cost Of such nstrue.
ton in private Snstitution3'
1.-TWO hundred dollars"
THE PROPOSED CHANGES
"what branches proposed to DO substituted
for bookkeeping penmanship and photography in
physical geography and politics."
what proportion OF the students learn your
eht?"
"a majority of tho studcnts-the ssmc proportion
that succeeds In the other branches OF the course"
"liave You any evidence Of the success OF your
students attcrward in busnessr
Certainly. i have recently received over ono
hundred letters from old students employed Ia
prominent business houses testfying to the useful
OF the instruction, and attributing thoir
cess to the prohcioncy they had attained in these
that your pupils can mako IT practicable to any con-
siderable degreer'
usually successful. Tho students ct the end Of the
year have learned the principles thoroughly ana
roach the speed OF GO TO 10 words pcr ininutos
which Ia sufncicnt for business shorthand posi-
ton"
els photography much used now In bustnessr'
1T IN. and ifs use II rapidly increasing In mer.
camille. banking. railroad. insurance. msnufsctur-
ing and other business Offices wherever there 10
large correspondence generally made available.
and In such positions the knowledge OF pcnmanship
aud book keeping required with H.
ronMyR sruDESTs' rRorErTs.
A number of communications protesting against
the changes have been received by tho HKRALp.
Edward A. Roth, n former student. writcs:-'r
would mako my humble protest agsnst tho aboli-
ton of ono OF the greatest advantages which the
city holds ont 90 young mcu."
Inward A. Auerbach writes :--"It n my candid
opiptou that without these subjects the numerical
course would not be worth tho time and money ex-
pended"
~ 80 .-'.,,' 49,. &C.,. a. '...ss ~.