The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1880-12-03

against the expressed wish of residents Of
Deer Lodge county. Butte took the initia-
tory step In the question Of division; let Its
representative men now state their views.
Deer Lodge will also be heard from and we
trust all sections Of the county will respond
and make known their feelings on the sub
jet. Let the people speak. . .. .. mr
| EDUCATIONAL NEEDS IN MONTANA.
Prominent among the questions engaging
the attention Of leaders in thought, the
world over, is the question Of educational
systems. While those engaged in school
work, and therefore practically qualified to
Judge Of success or failure, agree upon the
principles that should underlie all school
systems, yet there is prevalent
much diversity Of opinion con-
concerning the methods that will best in
terpret and apply these principles. Compar-
ing the views of great writers on education
in all ages, there Is found to be q substantial
agreement on what may be properly entitled
the science Of education. The art Of educa-
ton, however, has been, and Is
STILL the subject Of constant revision and
improvement, based on observation and ex-
pertinent. While few iconoclasts, who are
never happy unless tearing down the institu-
tions which wisdom and experience have
erected, may deny the success of present ed
ucational systems because 80 many imper-
fections exist, yet the concurrent opinions of
educationalists Enthusiastically show that
the last half century In methods of teaching
and in the systematic direction given to pub
lie education. ....r ., .....
The first need In all systems of education
Is the competent teacher. .... .I...
This Is proposition that none will Sc
riously deny. A difference of opinion, how
ever, may arise whenever definite method
Of securing competent teachers Is proposed.
This regard as the initial thought in all
school systems--that is to say, they are the
outgrowth Of this thought SHOW shall we
secure competent teachers for the public
schools ?" A great many well meaning per-
sons, who are ready to condemn all school
systems as useless machinery, have not rea-
soned upon this simple proposition. When
we contemplate the vast army of teachers
employed and the immense influence they
are welding, through the susceptible minds
Of children, over the destiny of states and
nations, we must admit that II Is vastly i'm
portant to secure the very best workers In
this vineyard of human destiny. aaa.r g.r-
o Without wise foresight and the adoption
OF such measures ~ will constitute system
Of training and selection, there would be
little check upon our schools falling into the
hands ofa horde Of incompetents that annu-
ally besiege school officers for the privilege
Of degrading the teachers' profession. o., .
II the competent teacher Is essential to the
maintenance Of . good school, 1t Is apparent
that there must be some recognized test of
qualification to guide school boards in the
proper selection of teachers It is apparent,
also, that II this test Of the teachers qualif-
cations Il merely nominal or unequal and
faulty, 1t will only debanch and degrade the
teachers calling Our proposition assumes
this form: We need competent teachers to
secure good schools. We need system In
order 10 secure competent teachers. The
ccrtifcation OF the teacher, therefore, Is an
object of primary and vital Importance in all
well-organized systems of public education.
This certification should aim to measure
teaching ability. II Is not enough to test
the candidates. proficiency in the elementary
branches Taught in the public schools, for
such 1 msthod ignores entirely all pro-
Ifessional study and places the teacher who
has studied deeply the science and Art of ed.
ucation on an squslity with the. menest tyrp
| in the upper classes OF orr public schools.
II h necessary, too, that this test Of teaching
sbility and professional skill be required be-
fore the teacheris employed, otherwise the
schools would be subject to . series Of ex-
periments in which the novices would be re-
arded, while the schools were being de-
graded. As society has learned to despise.
and ignore the aquack" in medicine, SO
must the ban be placed upon the aempiric"
| In education. The examiner appointed to
| take the measure OF 4 teacher, to weigh in
the balance with impartialIty and without
fear or favor the mental and moral fitness of
the candidate for certi6cstion and assign to
him the rank which his scholarship, expert
encs and professional knowledge entitle him
q hold among his fellow teachers, should, At
least, be the candidate's peer In professional
qualification. II the County Treasurer may
perform this auty, why not the Road Super
visor or the Corocerf But, ridicule aside,
| for there Is no douC: some reason for the
present condition Of school Affairs In Nom
tana. In our next number We viii take note
Of the dIficnlty and suggest ! rcmsdy.
.sslzaha "A Easai Sew siiAs. Jap
- DENVER, Nov. 26.-The Leaslville Chron-
icie ssys:ii Sixty, laboren were buried in .
snew slide yesterday near Chalk Creek, on
the Kokomo extension Of the Rio Garpde
-rosd sbsss llA. n..- They noticed ths Pima