The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1883-04-27
Teaching a Love of Money.

something new IN euucatlOn has been
attempted in Western City, where the
superintendent of schools has under
taken the establishment ola system OF
trade and finance among the pupils.
The children are trained in the arts of
making money, and taking care of it.
They are encouraged to earn an honest
penny in all possible ways-by backing
boots, selling newspapers, making small
marketable articles, etc.; and they have
bank fer the care and man agement
of their ac,umulations. The
object apparently is not
that they may earn their education, but
that they may be taught the value of
money, the importance of thrift, and the
mysteries of commerce. We are not
surprised to hear that the boys take to
the scheme kindly. 1t is said that their
books are not neglected; on the contrary.
increased diligence in study seems 10 re-
suit irom the general spirit of rivalry
awakened at the touch of trade. The
lad who has got ahead of his compan-
Ions IN mercantile transaction at half
past 8 is still in an emulous mood when he
enters the class room at 6. Altogether
the schools are lively.
The children-but, God save us! are
there any more children? Are these
premature inanciers the innocent craa-
lures whom fathers used to take upon
their knee, finding in their simple pratt
tie refreshment Of heart after tho de.
pressing contests of the busy day? Are
these the models of meekness, docillty.
purity and trustfulness, upon whom the
Master laid His sacred hands when He
6ade us become like little children?
Bankers in round jackets, boys who
have discarded Robinson Crusoe" for
the Price Current, and substituted
interest tables for 1.-THE Arabian
way to, initiate the 70 la w 'a u,
"The Battle of Life" by Changing the.
old rule, "Do as you would he done bv''
into the improved modern maxim"
do, or you will be done brown" And
what terrible sllarps they promise 10 he
when they rise from the petty opera.
tions Of the playground to the serious
bargaining, selling, buying, lending, dis
counting, understanding, bulling, Gearing.
and eornering for which their Instructors
are now giving them such a practical
preparation! They. ought to- be shrewt]
enough in few years to get thu better
ofa Chatham street clothing dealer.
II there is anything which American
children have no need to be taught it il
the Importance Of money-getting. That
is a lesson they learn soon enough by q
miserable experience. The haste to be
rich is. in the opinion of most observers,
our great national fault. This is tile
cause Of our instability and recklessness
in trade. our laxity OF financial morals
the frequency of our gu bezzlelnenta
and breeches OF trust. the gross dlshon-
esty OF our governments, III.
bold robberies OF our public off.
GERS, our wild license of speculation. GU,
vulgar taste for display, our low stand.
ard of value in all things material, intel.
!ectnal and religious. And there could
hardly be more striking illustration O
the base mercenary spirit which il de
stroying us than the fact that superin.
tendent Of public schools thinks it 8
praiseworthy action to teach the love o.
money to children predestined by in.
herited faint or by national example tc
love it only too soon and too well.-NeH
York Tribune.