New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-03-25
TEACHING TIE LOVE OF MONEY.


comoth;n, now in education has been at
temnted in a Western city, where the superln-
tepdent Of schools has undertaken the eStaolish-
ment of a system of trade ana hnanco aiii'ue
the pupils. The children are trained III tne ar''
of making money, and taking care OF lI' ihoy
are encouraged to earn an honest penny III I'LL
possible ways-by backing boots, selling news
napers. making small marketable articles etc'j
and they have a bank for the care and manage
ment of their accnmulations. The object APP
narentlv is NOT that they may earn their edu-
cation but that they may be taught the value
of money, the importance OF tnriit' anu '"e
mysteries of commerce. We are not surprised
TO hear that the boys take to the scheme h'nu'y'
It is said that their books are not nesiecteu
on the contrary. increased diligence in study
seems 70 result from the general spirit OF rlValry
awakened at the touch of trade. The lad who
has rot ahead of his com panions in mercantile
transaction al half-past is still in an emulous
mood when he enters the classroom at % al
together the schools are lively.
The children-but, God save MS are there any
more children7 Are these premature hnaoclers
the innocent creatures whom fathers used 10
take upon their knee, finding in their simple
prattle refreshment Of heart after the depress-
ing contests of the busy dayf Are these the
models of meekness, dOcility, purity and trust
fitness upop whom the Master laid his sacred
hands when he babe us become like little chill
dren 2 Bankers in round jackets, boys who
have discarded Robinson Crusoc for the Price
Current and substituted Interest Tables Tor
The Arabian Nights, they seem to be IN tair
way to initiate the lawyer in The Battle OF Lie
by changing the old rule, Do as You 0uld DO
Done by,i into the improved modern maxim,
- DO. OF You will be Done Brown" And what
terrible sharps they promise TO be when they
rise from the petty operations of the play
ground to the serious bargaining, selling, buy
ing. lending, discounting. note-shaving, bull
ing. bearing. and cornering for which their IN
strucrors are now giving them such practical
preparutionl They ought TO be shrewd enough
in n few years to get the better OF n Chat
ham-st. clothing dealer.
If there is anything which American children
have no need TO lie taught it is the importance
of money getting. That is n lesson they learn
soon enough by n miserable experience. Tue
haste to be rich is, in the opinion of most OBJ
servers, orr great national fault. This Is the
cause of our instability and rccklesSness IN
trade our laxity of financial morals, the ire
oucncy of our entertainments and breaches OF
uust. the gross dishonesty of our governments,
the bold robbercs OF our public officers, our Wild
license OF speculation, orr vulgar taste for DIS
play. our low standard Of value in all things,
material intel ectual and religious. And there
could hardly Ice more striking illustration OF
the base mcrcenary spirit which is DESTROYING
n. than the fact that a superintendent of public
schools thinks It praiseworthy action to teach
tie love of money to children predestined by
inherited faint or 10y national example 10 love
il only too soon and too well.