The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1882-12-24
SUNDAY, DECEMBER "a, 1882.
For the Few and Not for the Many.

In tho report Of the committee OF the
Board OF Education who were appointed to
Investigate the course of instruction in tho
public schools, 1t Is said: "When we reflect
that at least l2j,0OO children are in daily at
tendance, and that the coursN OF study was
prepared with the view Of meeting the needs
and ability OF the many and not the few,
the comparatively small number OF COM
plants about excessive work imposed on the
pupils do not constitute reasonable charge
against the general merits, usefulness, and
applicability OF the course"
That may be all true enough SO far rs con-
Germs the allegations that the scholars are
overworked But what is one Of the studies
the committee regard rs demanded by the
manyp II Is drawing, to which q great
amount OF attention Is given. A very small
portion of the time and thought OF the pupils
might be proftably given to that a free use
OF the pencil being n valuable requirement In
many trades but drawing is carried SO far in
the schools that 1t becomes special branch
Of study requiring much application. AS
much time is required for instruction in it
as for history in the recommendations Of
the committee.
But the great majority OF the children do
not stay long enough at the grammar and
primary schools to attain any considerable
perfection in drawing. Nor is the rest of the
course in line with it. If the schools set out
to give an industrial education, then drawing
IAN original pottery form, examples Of obi
symmetrical historic ornament of different
Styles" design for textile fabric" and the
like would be q wise employment for the
pupils. But drawing is all that is done in that
direction, and the children cannot immediate
lyapply the little they learn in way to make
the instruction of practical value to them.
The truth is, drawing as taught in our
public schools OF the higher grades at pres
ent belongs to the industrial school, and IL
it Is advisable to teach it to the children OF
tho city at the public expense, then 1t is adj
visable TO make it part OF an industrial school
system to be established in connection with
the other schools, or as a subsequent course.
But instead Of such n really useful institu-
ton we support a college to teach boys Latin
and Greek and the higher mathematics,
which they do not want, and Normal Col
lege to carry girls along the Same road, aud
to embelish them with fancy accomplish
ments, which they do not need even for ord-
nary teaching, and which are OF little service
In fitting them for other elnployments out Of
which to make their living.
II the humbug college in Lexington ave-
nue. was turned into an industrial school, in
stead OF sending out graduating classes Of
only forty or fifty year it would be crowded
with boys ambitious Of the practical instruc-
tion 1t afforded, and the money spent upon
1t would really tell, whereas now it is utterly
wasted, since the other colleges Of the city
would gladly receive every boy who wants a
classical education merely.
The trouble with the administration Of the
pubfvfsohool funds Ia that large part OF
them Is spent for the few, while tne man
either go without any instruction in the free
schools at ALL or are compelled to submit to
q course of study necessarily more or less
adapted to the wants Of the paltry minority
who are intended for the hnmbug college In
Lexington avenue or the girls college, at
which an elegant education is given.