The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-04-21
THE HIGH SCHOOL.
The Discussion Before the School Com
mittee.

Wednesday afternoon, at the meeting at the
School Committee, a matter came up of inter-
est to every parent whose children attend the
public schools, and which, II current rumor Is
true, nearly resulted in the abolition of the
High School. The Committee on Estimates
for the current year reported, and, although
the estimate for the High School was voted
Yet 1t was not voted-if we are correctly iu-
formed-before Mr.. Fox read paper embody-
ing his views ON the subject of the High
School. The paper was signed, but a short
time before the meeting, by two of the COM
mittee, and. therefore, Mr.. Fox did not deem
it justice to the other member Of the commit
lee to give the paper for publication until that
gentleman had an opportunity to present
minority report, If he so desired. No action
was taken by the committee rs whole on the
paper, but 1t evolved long, earnest and vigor-
GUS discussion.
From what we gather of the context Of the
paper from Mr.. Fox, we learn that in his opin-
ion the public school education Of children
should mean something. When a child finishes
his grammar school course then the city should
say to him or her, "You have received good
common school education; make good use of
it," The grammar school Ia that case would
be at least a year in advance of what it is now,
and 1t is now good year In advance OF what
II was several years since. Let il be presumed,
however, that a certain proportion Of all the
children desire further study and advance
ment Then Mr., Fox would follow the course
pursued AT the Institute of Technology in Bos-
fap Ia aAfnpAiftaa 10
each applicant, "What do you intend 10 make
your life's work." II the child was unable to
answer then he should DO directed, during the
eight weeks vacation, TO consult with his pa
rents, and at the beginning Of the next term to
come forward prepared to give an answer.
Mr.. Fox would have the High School course
Of only one year II, for example, the appli-
cant wished to follow the sea for business
then he should be- taught navigation In the
High School, so that at the close of his first
voyage he would be prepared TO take the posi-
ton OF second mate, and, during the year In
the school, Mr.. Fox would have the boy 90 out
on trip and calculate the position of the yes
sci and show by practical work that he knew
what he was about, SO II the scholar elected
engineering, he should be able to take his in
struments go out into any field and give its col
rect measurements. II carpentry was the pu-
pills choice Of trade, then he should have the
right 60 learn the fundamental principles OF
the business and put them to practical use.
Mr.. Fox also claimed that only small portion
of all those who entered the High School ever
went further than the first year or two. Many
were unable to spend the time even ii they
should SO desire, and, in his opinion, the city's
duty in instructing the young should be ended
when the pupil had attained seventeen years
OF age. As the matter stands now only an un-
appreciate proportion OF all the public school
children graduate at the High School, and the
city is paying for an education for few, the
expenses Of whom their own parents should
deiray
In the discussion which enssed, while many
of the members agreed with Mr.. Fox in
number OF the points made By MIN, still they
did not see how any few professions or trades
could be favored at the expense Of the many.
One child might wish 10 obtain advanced edu-.
cation in music and become composer; auoth-
er might desire to learn hair dressing and be-
come barber; in fact, there was no limit to
the feld, and such wide scope would swamp
any school whether endowed by city or State
Then again, there was tho fact still remaining
that if no appropriation was made for the
High School the city could not vote one later,
or at least would not. The appropriations and
taxes are made up at the beginning Of the mu-
nicipal year, the assessors get out their rate Of
taxation, and on them and the annual appro-
priations hinge the doors OF government. II
was not at sill likely that the Civ C6uneif
would vote High School appropriation in
September, at the beginning of the school
year-when Mr. Fox proposed to start his new
High school-and with only enough asked for
in the school estimates TO wind up the present
school year, the High School would, at the end
OF that time, be practically abolished.
As a result Of the discussion the usual esti-
mate was made and voted for the High School.