Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-01-14
q rHE MEMpH1s HIGH sCHooI.n .

1.-THE MEMPHIS HIGH SCHOOL"
Under this heading, in the Appeal
of this morning, appears quite an able
and learned article as an editorial.
When read carefully, however, it is
found to be strong advocacy OF good
common schools and compulsory edu-
cation rather than an argument in
favor Of high schools. The first SEN
tences are as follows:
Much of the silly talk about sus-
pending and permanently disbandiog
the high schools OF Memphis has been
inspired by the belief that the re-
sources were insufficient to sustain
them. But we presume there will be
no further attempts to suspend the
high schools since the publication of
the figures in the Appeal of yesterday,
furnishing the gratifying and surpris-
ing information that all the schools of
Memphis can be continued by econ
omy, wise and prudent management
on the part of the board Of education.
We are glad to hear that aaincrease
OF taxation is not necessary to sustain
the public schools This has been our
impression all along. The discontin-
uance fthe high school would doubt
less make it absolutely certain that
the present rate would be enough to
keep up thorough and excellent sys-
tenn of city schools, quite equal to the
necessities of the times. II the safety
and welfare Of the state depend upon
the higher educat on of the masses,
then indeed it is in great peril for only
very small percentage OF the scho-
lastic population OF Memphis, to say
nothing of the rest Of the srate, will
ever see inside Of high school. The
fact that only the learned classes gov
ern in China proves too much. Log
ically speaking it would do away with
common schools alto. ether, establish
universities for a privileged few, and
remit the masses to a con
dition no better than that of
beasts of burden. The high school
draws a line, which only small class
can ever hope to cross. Yet all are
taxed alike to pay the expense. When
the pupils are thoroughly educated
and go forth in the world however
worthy and competent they may be,
they are under no obligation to serve
the public; the state has no more claim
upon them legally, than upon those
who have worked and paid t cir own
way throush college. They naturally
look about for that avocation which
will suit or pay them best. The West
Pointer educated at government ex-
pense is required TO serve a certain
number of years before he can resign,
the presumption being that he will, it
capable and useful, become enamored
of his profession and continue in the
service 1t is utterly imprActicable,
as well as undesirable, to give every
boy aud girl high school
education, and the experiment has
never been tried in any age or eoun-
try. The man who has good com
mon school education, and takes one
or two newspapers, has a better edu-
cation, really, for all the practical
purposes of life than many who in the
past ranked among the learned men of
the world. Inprinciple and policy, it
is wrong to give an ornamental educa
tion to a fortunate few at the expense
of the many. Discontinue the high
schools, strengthen the common
schools, and we will not object to the
building Of school houses from time to
time as the people are able. Put all
the public schools of the city on
common level and then build them up
to the best attainable standard. This
is our platform and we believe it ap-
peals to the busines mind and com
mon sense of the community