The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1882-08-17
TEE WICHITA ACADEMY.

The Commonwealth and other leading pa
pers have commended Wichita for her move
TO secure an educational institution OF a
higher order than the public school. The
charter Tor the new institution was received
from the secretary of state by the board Of
Friday. The board permanently organized
by the election OF NJ. NJ. Murdoch, presi-
dent; Gov. A a. Glenn, secretary and d.
a. Mitchell, Treasurer. a committee OF
three, consisting of Jno. A. Allen, Judge
Glenn and Squire Mitchell, was appointed to
draw up by avs and rules for the govern
ment of the board.
A. w. Oliver Col. ii. W. Lewis, j. R.
Mead and others. in an informal discussion,
brought out many practical and very impor-
tant ideas touching the location of the
building, its architectural style. and what
its surroundings should be. As to the scope
OF the course or curriculum to be adopted
some ideas were advanced. Col. Lewis in
his boyhood had been pupil of that eminent
and successful educator, Prof. Jas. Marvin,
now chancellor of the State University OF
|
our ambitions and desires in the line of ed.
vocational facilities. BY permission of Col
Lewis we print the chanccllor's reply in
full.
II. ". Le0iS Esq.
DEAR FRIEND: l am surprised by look
ing at the date of your letter to find myself
so far behind the times. A months absence
NIL .aH r,a Of hal
ten days in this busiest time with CORES
pondents has hardly permitted me a moments
leasure for friend. Your business topic is
one of great Importance to your city. A.
Bank established at greater cost for build
ings and current expenses, to say nothing of
capital stock, would do far less for the per-
manent good OF community than the school
you suggest. Do not think that under es-
innate the bank, as surely do not overesti-
mate the school. What does the city need:
lst a good high school with all necessary
facilities for taking pupils from the lower
grades through liberal preparation for coll
lege.
I'd. As many of these pupils will never at
tend collie sc, the city needs some advanced
studies, as physiology, bookkeeping,
natural philosophy, botany, etc. This
school for the city should have con-
siderable latitude allowed in the range of
studies for different pupils. The great
drawback to many high schools is their rigid
adherence to some theoretical plan of stud
les without any reference to the tastes or
abilities of the students.
A H., AZ, =,
and reciprocal interests in this school ques-
ton. The presence OF pupils from the coun-
try will stimulate healthy relations between
the two will keep down obnoxious preju-
dices: will promote good fellowship, and
attract buslness-country trade will follow
the children. The country cannot build nor
support the school alone. Now it is not ask
upon how the city meets what The country |
needs:
LIST. a higher school where students are |
not graded by age or size, nor grace in |
movement but where ability and disposition |
to learn are considered.
ID A school where few important sub
iects can be studied without taking every
thing in prescribed course.
3d. \ school in which class distinctions in
society and among pupils are ignored, at
least by teachers.
4th. A school in which young people can
prepare under the best models for teaching
in the common schools. Hundreds of these
teachers will never see any other Normal
school.)
Both city and country need this higher
Academic school in which to prepare their
students at or near home for the college or
the university.
l have laid out all the ground you can
proftably cultivate, at least for many years.
| very much regret my inability TO visit you
ut once ond see your grounds, etc. Many
things enter into the best form, size, arrang-
ment, cost, etc, of school building, that
one must study in order to council wisely
shall be glad to render you any practicable
aid in this matter. Experience and obser-
walton should enable me to give you some
hints of advantage to your board.
Permit me to call attention to the Regents
plan for organizing high-school in catalogue
lsSl-2, page 62. Your proposed school would
readily take this form at the beginning, and
then gradually enlarge so as to take some of
the under class collegiate work. Twelve or
thirteen schools are now organized or pre-
pairing to organize Oh this plan-see page GO
md add Girard.
Prospects for a full attendance in Septem-
Der are now flattering If not too late to
give you some suggestions | may be able TO
cave for two or three DAYS about the first of
October. took July for vacation, attended
he National educational meetings at Sara
.oga Springs. y. Y. visited the University
,f Nebraska on my way home, and every
where found pleasure in being Kansan.
Let me know how you are progressing in
rour noble enterprise. Fraternally,
JAS. MARVIN.