The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1880-12-11

pupils uldhc CiiblCtcillS, dQQttlOuo,SO
rections, and comments"
The foregoing method teaches pu-
pills not only to compile, but to com
pose. 1t is the easiest and most nat
ural method of teaching composition.
Pupils may,in this way, be led to form
the habit of writing for the public
papers,-a habit which is always
pleasureable and often profitable. l
have seen this plan thoroughly test
ed, and commend it to teachers.
| am clearly convinced that it is
the duty of all teachers to engage in
the work of circulating public papers.
They are indispensable to the high
est success in the work of educating
the masses,-the fathers, the mothers,
the children.
The following forcible suggestions
upon this subject, from the american
Journal Of Education, st. Louis,are
earnestly recommended to teachers:
IF our teachers are wise-and they
certainly are growing wiser and
stronger and better-they will see to
it that the printed page, carrying ar
gument, persuasion and facts, which
ripen into conviction, is circulated
continuously among the patrons and
taxpayers. Trouble and hindrance
come from lack of knowledge. Intel
ligent, well-posted people sustain the
teachers in their work of instruction
and discipline. Circulate the printed
page among the people.
Are your plans all laid for more
reading in connection with your next
school term? Books were never so
cheap as now,-good books, too. Cir
culate good books, magazines, news
papers, and thus help the people out
side the school-room as well as the
pupils inside. The newspapers were
never giving so much inform alton rs
Mt present BY all means lay plans
for more culture, for more reading
with the pupils and the people. In
telligence begets its like, and intelli
gent people appreciate what and how
much our teachers are doing for their
children"
The teacher who circulates public
papers may easily avoid the charge
of partisan" by obtaining list Of
leading periodicals from which to al
low patrons to choose for themselves.
The newsdealer is not censured for
keeping on hand pure publications of
all parties. 1t is a good plan to ap-
point committee of the larger pu-
pills, ladies and gentlemen, to solicit
subscriptions, as the young people
will in this way become interested in
the circulation Of papers.
The teacher snd pupils may with
propriety give the preference to the
local paper, as it is properly the or
gan of the people of the county, and
ought to find place in every family.
Where there is more than one local
paper there is chance to make
choice. On this subject l quote the
following article from the american
journal of EducntioR:-
First the county newspaper, then
the great weekles from the city, and
then the religious newspaper, brings
all the world to you, and takes you
out of yourself into the society of the
best and strongest. The newspaper,
then, not only increases your intel
tigence, but your faith in the posi-
bilities Of yourself and the great peo
pie among whom you dwell. The To-
cal county papers are not only very
friendly, but very helpful to teachers.
They are pleased, always, to note the
progress made by the pupils in the
schools. They are glad to say good
things of the good work done by our
teachers. The printed page of the
local newspaper should find its way
to every home and fireside. Certainly
no intelligent father or mother can
afford to allow the children to grow
up without glimpse of the outside
and out-of-sight world which the
newspaper gives. Use, by all means,
the local papers, to show the tax
payers what is being done in your
school" --t
Objections are sometimes urged
against the circulation of local pa
| pers,-
l. Because there is sometimes want
of culture in the style of their com
position.
2. Because they are not always
free from impurity and indecency.
The first objection proves that our
system of public education has done
it's work imperfectly; that the masses
have not been thoroughly trained in
composition. The remedy is, more
thorough culture of the masses, that
we may be sure to reach those who
will become journalists.
The second objection may be re-
moved by the people if they will re-
fuse to tolerate such impurities in
their papers. The easiest way to
reach this evil, is for the teachers to
take it into their own hands. Let
them, in their annual county cduca-
tional associations, resolve that they
will try to place the local paper in
every family in the county,upon con-
dition that it's columns shall be as
free from impurity as the converse
ton in a refined family. Then let
the editor accept this proposition. If,
after that, an Objectionable article
! should appear in the paper,the atten