The Osceola times., 1883-06-09
A NOVEL SCHOOL.
Teaching Made Pleasant and Enter
tanning Extraordinary success of u
New Idea In Cleveland.
Chicago Tribune.

New Idea In Cleveland.
Chicago Tribune
Mr.. Charles L. Bolton, young news
paper writer and business man of Cleve-
land, has demonstrated the success of a
new plan for the education of the masses
which contsins many features commend
ing il TO popular consideration. After
perfecting his plan he submitted it to
the business men of Cleveland, and they
were so struck with its practical charac-
ter that they gave their hearty endorse
ment and support. He then spent con-
siderable time in visiting the shops, fac
tories, and mills, explaining it to the
workingmen, and soon got them inter
ested in it also
Having accomplished this preliminary
work, he secured the Peoples tabernacle
in the heart Of the city, and fixed the
price for series of twenty entertain
meuts at sl.50. charging 10 cents for a
single admission. The first ten have al
ready been given, and the remainder are
TO consist of concerts during the summer
months in the public square, A dis
patch from that city gives the following
brief outline of Mr.. Bottoms scheme:
During the winter season the doors
were opened early, and as the visitors
entered each was presented with pam
phlet containing a condensed outline of
some science, graphically told, the his
tory Of the United States, brief sketches
of celebrated composers, and matters of
similar character. Musical preludes
by trained and large orchestra follow
ed until S:l0, when the audience was al
lowed To change its position for five min
utes by standing. Then the principal
lecture or concert of the evening began.
The music was both instrumental and
vocal, and the lectures on popular and
scientific topics by the best talent that
could be procured. Gen. Eaton. the
commissioner of education, was present
at the final entertainment few even
ings ago, where Gov. Foster presided.
and declare / that there had been no such
work done anywhere in the United
States and gave it his most earnest COM
mendation.
The courses thus far have been sue
cess in every way. The attendance has
averaged from 2.SO0 to 4.oO0. The total
I receipts for the tirst season were 5000.
I and after all expenses were paid there
was a balance left of 81 eco with which
/ to commence the present season. The
! total receipts have been ss.l37, and there
is balance on hand Of s2,225. The av-
erage attendance has been 1900. and no
les than 1920 books and papers have
been gwen away. The course, indeed.
has been 30 successful that i. Is no long
er regarded as an experiment The
Educational bureau, as il is called. is now
/ considered permanent institution in
I Cleveland. The peculiar feature Of this
| scheme which has commended il with
such force to the masses l. the combina-
/ ton of pleasure with instruction at a
merely nominal charge. Every enter
tainment has been made specially attrac-
I tive TO the workingincn. and everything
has been done 10 secure their comfort
and confidence. They have been made
/ TO feel that II is their entertainment. and
/ specially theirs. and that other classes
cannot interfere. They have not been
I prejudiced acains; them by any social
competition or by any feeling Of inferi-
ority. As rule the efforts 10 entertain
workingmen have been unintereStinr
and dry. Other places have had more
attractions for them. but iI Cleveland
they have been made 70 enjoy them.