Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-11-22
The public schools.

Etfisss' Star:-In her .'epen letter, In Satur-
days STAR, Olivia gravely states, she was toll
by Mr.. Wilson, that within short period OF
time the public schools OF the District would
equal any OF the noted universities OF the iand'-
meaning. Of course, Harvard, cornell, Michigan
University aud Yale! Olivia appears to have
accepted the prophecy and to be much disap-
pointed by its non-fuliiment is she quite sure
she remembers correctly what Mr.. Wilson said?
II She did not make her assertion so positively,
it would require the afiidavits OF a dozen credi.
BILE persons to make any intelligent citizen OF
Washington believe that Mr.. Wilson ever ex-
pressed The opinion attributed to him.
1t Is startling to learn from Olivia that the
public school education turnS the masses or the
pupils into imbeclles and semi-idiots? Is there
not some mistake about this? am familiar
with the appearance OF the school children. and
have AWAY thought them bright, intelligent
and healthy. Some OF them are in my own
family; they have good appetites, and show no
symptoms of mental decay. The high school
boys, who have been several years under the
influence OF the public school system, are rather
noted for ability and manliness. VIII Olivia
explain where the imbeciles and idiots she re-
1erS to are kept?
Those who are not in school fare little better
a Oliv1a'S hands. The ''children of labor"
who, she says, are not sent TO school, are de
scTbed by her as ''eD,b''Do jdc6dts." Surely
this is deplorable state OF things! II those In
school are idiots and those out Of school are
"embryo Jackals," the prospect Is bad for the
next generation. Let US hope that the effects
OF education are not so bad In the states as in
The idiot class, she charges. destroy all the
flowers within a certain radius" May in
quire what radius? Won't she make an eXcep-
ton Of the flowers in Franklin Square which
bloom the entire season undiSturOed near the
500 children In the neighDOring school?
Olivia informs US that some school children
kicked an Old man "as though he was pros
standing dog we are not informed, nor are we
told time, place or names OF witnesses. Ii the
statement is true, 1t does not reflect upon the
them to kick old people. Does Olivia mean to
be understood that such instruction is part OF
the regular course In the public schools?
ind 1t hard to understand what Olivia is
driving at. Her letter Is an odd tumble Of in
conferences, mixed metaphors, abusive epithets,
commonplaces and communism, expressed In
slap-dash, go;as-you please style, in defiance OF
for instance, by calling the normal school grad
yates trained prlestesses" brought On ''to keep
yne HId lights vb buffning Until the eonoelast
oclast work? And what, In the name of com
mon sense, does she mean by the sentence In
which she refers to the school system as ma
chinery, as mnlstrom and as sa mental c3m
plcatlon OF pulieys, files and teeth" If before
publishing again Olivia will submit her essay
10 the criticism OF any pupil OF the gramm ir
school she will ind 1t vastly improved in its
construction and rhetoric
The only clearly expressed conclusion in OIiyias
letter is, that the cOlored people ought to nave
no schools at all; and that the white schools
o'Sitt W W hCPt IACluSlsSly pdup1TS, every
child being taught according to his bent and
talent AS this would necessltate a separate
teacher for each half dozen pupils, will Olivia
explain where she would get the money?
We have good system of public schools In
Our Distfict,-nob the best In the country. but
az excellent one, considering the difficulties
under which it has been built up. Toe gentle
men In charge OF it know where It can be i'm
proved and are working to that end with good
practical sense. They have done much within
lhe e, last tWo or three years; and II sustained,
will Go still more in the next two or three The
publlc schools are now the best in the District,
by all odds. The co education of the children
OF all sects and classes IS the hope OF the reDub-
lie. have no relation to the public schools.
except that OF parent Of pupils In them but /
feel deeply grateful TO the men who without
pay. have SO faithfully lao0red to improve the
schools, and to the superintendent who has
wisely and well discharged his difficult dutie,.
DO not think 1t fair TO expose these gentlemen
10 the cut and thrust assaults Of ili-fnrOrtned
"IittfS JUSTICE.
n n 10