The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-11-01
OUR SCHOOLS.
Are Our Institutions of Learning Con-
Quoted IN Proper Manner
Or NOt2
What An Argus Representative saw by
Personal Inspection.

oh0 vi Ilss Iuuudulchtai W auS'Co w
local government are the public schools.
Go where you will, you will find this is the
case in all communities. They are as
important factor in society as the
churches, and In fact they are indispen-
sable Without them the rising genera
tions would be in hopeless state of
Ignorance, and the result would be an
enigma In the cities. in the towns and
hamlets, on the cross road, and on the
prairie can be seen the school house-the
landmark of civilization. Here the young
germ commences to sprout. and too much
care cannot be experienced in governing
1t in the way it should grow.
In Rock Island, therefore, as well as
everywhere else, the public schools are a
matter ofvital importance, and are watched
with keen interest by every good citizen.
The ARGUS has always taken live inter
est in school matters, and has endeavored
to keep the public posted on the subject.
A representative of the ARGUS met the
good natured superintendent the other day
and asked fer information in regard to the
schools.
"You can tell your readers that they
are in flourirhing condition. and that the
scholars are making rapid progress with
their studies But if you will come with
me this afternoon, you can Judge for your.
self
The reporter was only too glad to &C :
cept this kind offer, and when the ap
pointed time arrived, was on hand.
Prof Kemble and the scribe first visited
building No 8, on the corner of Sixth
avenue and Nineteenth street. There are
four rooms in this building, of which Mrs.
Copp is the principal The teachers are
Miss Ada Muse, first primary; Miss Annie
johnson, second primary; Miss Frantz,
third primary, and Mrs. Copp, fourth pri
mary Each room was visited, and some
little time spent watching the interesting
exercises. A glance by close
observer would be convincing proof Of
thetexcellent work being done. Each
pupil was completely absorbed in his or
her study, and no idleness was exhibited.
And the scholars did not appear to study
from force of habit Gas is sometimes the
case in some schools) but on the contrary
appeared to relish the work, and the
utmost attention was displayed when the
teacher would address them. The little
ones would read sentences on the board,
add" and divide" with remarkable
correctness. The states were examined,
and the figures on them were found TO be
made with neatness and uniformity that
would eclipse the efforts of older heads.
A special feature of the exercises'was the
reading of music from the blackboard.
The reporter was surprised with the readi-
ness in which the 'scale" was read, and
very few errors were made. The teachers
are not allowed to assist the school in this
lesson, which renders it all the more diff
cult. This pleasing study does not infringe
on the time of more substantial lessons,
and is enjoyed exceedingly by the little
ones, whose musical talent is rapidly de
velopcd As the scholar reaches higher
grades the music gradually gets more
difficult, and when they finish the course
they will he perfectly conversant with the
most perplexing pieces, and this at only q
nominal cost. The reporter was
we'll pleased with what he
saw in building No. 8. and felt salts
fed that the ''little ones" at least, were
receiving first class instruction.
THE HIGH SCHOOL.
Recess found us at the high school
where the principal, Mr.. w. Fl. Hatch
was found standing guard over a yar(
full of jolly boys, who were enjoying
themselves as only school boys can
When tue bell was sounded, giving thu
signal to return to the school room. tilt
scholars entered the building in doubl'
file, the high school scholars turning t.
the right. and the lower grades to tht
lett By this means, only few moments
are consumed in getting the scholars t.
their seats, and there is no jostling ant
crowding. The teachers in the building
are: W. H. Hatch, principal; Miss Briggs
1st assistant; Miss Hayes, I'd assistant
Miss Plat, 9th grade; Miss Walker, 81
grade; Miss Culver and Miss Cavanaugh
7th grades Miss Wakefield and Miss Hardy
9th grades: Miss Lloyd and Miss Egan
9th grades. Mrs. Nessonson, teacher o
German.
Most of these rooms were visited, Blu
the time being limited, few minute
were only spent in each. Enough wa
seen, however, to corroborate the satisfac
tory impressions received at No. 3. Al
irving on the third floor, we were receive,
by Prof. Hatch, who showed lis througl
the different rooms, and showed us som
! splendid specimens of work executed
principal among which were the first bal
ance sheets of his class in book keeping
which had just been handed him for ex
animation. This is the first year book
keeping has been taught in the publ
schools, and there are several graduate
J who belong to the class. The professo
is giving this course special attention, an
the class is making rapid progress in thi
important course Mr.. Hatch tcache
; the sciences, Miss Briggs mathematics, an
Miss Hayes, Latin These rules are nc
rigidly observed, however Prof. Hate
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