The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1880-07-08
SCHOOL EXHIBITIONS.

The school exhibition of last. Saturday
has provoked considerable unfavorable
comment, not on account of any remiss.
ness on the part of those participating in
the programme. bnt on account OF the
character of the exercises. 1t has not
been our custom to make any adverse
criticisms on entertainments given by
local talent, and we had some hesitancy
in alluding to this in uncomplimentary
terms. Our reluctance was the greater
on account of the age OF the pupils. but
we feel satisfied that in the present in
stance structure will be productive OF
more good than silence or recommendation.
Forbearance is often as unvise as inju-
dlc!ous or unmerited praise, and the
present is an instance to which this truth
is applicable.
In the closing exercises of a school
there should be no attempt made to cater
to the tastes of those who delight only in
theatricals and that species of wit which
is pointed only because of its imperti-
nenoe. There should be no exhibition
in dramatic sense. The light comedy
(which charms the rabble and makes the
vulgar laugh should be a concession so
Reluctantly made that it fails to become d
prominent feature. Something should
be attempted SO that the effort, if not the
execution, deserves approval, not that in
which proficiency is blamable. Tue pro-
pensity of young people to anything that
sayors of the stage, or tendency to
amatory remarks during school life,
should be checked. and neglect to do so
is reprehensible. The school room
should be as inviolable in these particu-
lars as the most jealous watchfulness can
make it. There IS in every one a sort of
inmate refinement which is sensitive to
any remarks on matrimony made by age
or youth, and they become doubly dis
tasteful when they invade the sanctity of
the school room. Love, III the sense III
which We discuss it, is an affection, and
matrimony state which pupils have
nothing to do with in jest or IN earnest,
and the little acts of courtesy which pass
between pupils of opposite sexes should
mark the growth Of gentlemanly and
ladylike conduct and not be treated as a
premonition of ''falling in love-"
The exercises in school exhibition
should fairly indicate the work done and
approximately mark the progress made.
There is no parent that would not derive
more pleasure in seeing his child, at
school exhibition, take part in that re-
Quiring some exercise Of the mind, though
failure may mordfy him, than to SEQ that
child acquit himself in something foreign
to the school room. The plaudits of the
crowd are poor criterion of merit. And
the tastes of the multitude should not be
consulted in the preparation of pro.
gramme for that which properly is an ey-
hibition of intellect, callow though it
may be. aGd ii proof Of progress. The
child who eXcels in love making scene
shows the necessity Of parental watch
fitness and it is an excellence extremely
painful to the intelligent mother. In q
school, such as that Of the second ward,
the aim should be to present something
which is tho product of thought, some
thing which is in keeping with the work
done during the year. Chaff should be
tolerated, not encouraged. Patrons do
not, or at least should not, attend for the
purpose of being amused, and tho disap-
pointment Of those who expect light
comedy or heavy tragedy is a recommon-
dalton which every school should seek.
THE law requires all but kitchen fur
niture to be listed in the assessment roll.
We will offer reward Of one dollar, our
cash surplus will not allow us to 90
higher, to the assessor in the county who
has returned in his roll furniture for any
town or city amounting to more than
$500. We are satisfied no assessor will
call for that dollar. What is to be done
with the assessors who have thus neglect
ed their duty2 Manitowoc Rapids is the
only town having sand enough to answer
by its acts.