New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-05-23
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
pERvERTING THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.


A woMAN's DEFINITION OF THEIR PROPER SPHERE.
TO the Editor Of TIE Tribune
SIR: In your edition of this day, under the
head Of Notes on Education" appears an article SO an
tagonstic TO my own ideas the subject that cannot
refrain entering plea aGainstt IL 10 stateu I'D .nat
article that the teaching OF sewing In the puohc
schools is a thing which person OF arenectVe ana
practical mind will urge" At risk Of being consid
cred by the writer neither reflective" nor practical"
sincerely trust that his views will not obtain general
approval The only that the writer OF the arce
forth to sustain his views Is that there s no pace
and in the public schools for industrial teachings
That raises the question: which Is really the main QUE
For what purposes and for whom are public schools In
tendedi The real purpose for which they were estab-
shed has lost sight Of and the sooner we realize
that fact the better 10 will De for those OF our people Tor
whom they were intended.
Children in all communities must be regarded as
the wards OF the State, and in all enlightened COM
munitics It is the policy OF the Government TO
that they in condition to be Of service when the
Government needs their assistance. THIS is not char-
ity but claim which every citizen has right 10 eX-
pect will be extended TO bis children. II he himself mas
not the means defray the expense These rights are
that the child shall be kept physically and intellectually
in condition respond to any demands which the STATE
in case of trouble may make upon him. To that extent
only las the citizen the right demand such ALBANY
thing further This every parent should afford to MS
children according TO bis means. These facts nave
apD1reutly been lost sight OF, and to-day our
public schools are overrun with children whose parents
arc quite capable of defayug the expenses OF their ed
ucaton but whO for the sake OF economy to themselves
thus impose upon the public This, even II 1t did not
entail greater evils Ia sufficient to arouse investigation.
because II is an imposition upon the public. 1t is really
10 growing desire on the part OF these nterlOpers, RS
they may fairly be termed to obtain more advanced
learning for their children at the public expense, that
such questions as are contained in the article have al
ludcd to are founded on. -, .
As n rule the amount and character OF education thai
child should receive ought to accord with the position
and surroundings that await such chd and IL cannot be
disputed that education IN advance OF pOsuOn OIen
results unappuess to the recipient or no service
t. others OfcOurse there are exceptions TO such ru N
which extraordinary capacity Is manifested IN children,
intcllects find their proper place Without
special rules III their behalf
The very term common school Implies teaching Tor
teaching for those who have TO toll IN tue
humber paths Of life. For the children OF such educa-
ton Ould consist mainly OF STel1ng Writing, gram
mar, arithmetic. geography and history. A o1 under-
standing OF these branches would enable DOy or gu 10
pass through life with comfort to themselves ana Others
and Law foundation for those who afterwaTd may
be enabled to indulge In thu luxury OF greater knowl-
edge, Add TO the above instruction TO girls III plain
ing, and that Is all the teaching, excepting mat
pure and healthy tone Of morals (uot theQogy) should
be ncucaed that required in our public schools H.
deed until within the last few years, when woman as
factor IN society has TO some extent Deen Recognized,
sewing really of more practical value in the educa-
ton OF girl than writing.
most strenuOusy object to the making use OF onr puo-
&c schools for their purposes, by persons who can
IL IA nm Imposition upon the public, but because 1t has
a bad effect upon the children of humble PEOPLE: such
contact does not mean social equality II 1t dd might
In be blessing but 10 mas the eject OF pro
duCng envy ana Otner ulsqueluR eeuento duloDS tue
poorer children, MIS-. D. /.
Nec- York, May Q, 1850.