Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-05-03
A NOVEL EDUCATIONAL SCHEME,
Valuable York in Cleveland obstruction,
Combined With Entertainment

Valuable Fork in Observation-Disclosures
Combined Nth Entertainment.
CLEVELAND, April 22.-An experimental
attempt to furnish the masses with valua-
bic information in an attractive form has
just been concluded in Cleveland, and the
rewards from the seasons work are so en-
couraging that those who have had it in
charge have decided that the experimental
stage is past, and that the Educational
Bureau is a permanent institution in
Cleveland. The work here has been in
many respects so far different from any
like attempts elsewhere, and so far in ad-
vance of most of them, that the experience
in this case is we'll worthy of relating to
the public generally.
N the winter of 1882 the Cleveland
Educational Bureau was formed in order
thai certain ideas evolved and enthusiast
tically dwelt on by MIR. Charles E. Bolton,
young newspaper writer and
business man, might be put to the test of
practical experiment. 1t was earnestly
and cordially backed by number of the
leading men of the city, vino were inter
ested in furnishing practical instruction
and popular entertainment for their en-
planning the idea and object through the
shops, iron mills and business houses with
such success that the attendance when the
entertainments were under way averaged
from $500 to 1000. The total receipts
for the first season were $4,000, and after
all expenses were paid over $1,000 was in
hand for commencement on the broader
work of the season of 1928 that has just
come to close. In this latter season the
total receipts were $8,137.75, aud the ex-
pensss such as to leave a balance on hand
Of So. z25.65. The average attendance has
been 1000. Books and papers to the num-
Der OF l19, POO have been given away; and
the entertainments furnished have prob
ably given as much practical information
IN an interesting form as has ever been
had in any community for the
same amount Of money. The
plan that has been put in operation can be
here briefly outlined. Arrangements were
made on very advantageous terms for the
use Of the large Peoples Tabernacle, right
in the heart of the business portion of the
city. Course tickets for twenty entertain
ments were furnished for $1.50 and Is
cents charged for single admission. The
first ten, indoors, have already been
given, and the ten following are to consist
of concerts during the summer months on
the public square.
During the winter season the doors were
opened early, and as the visitors entered
each was presented with pamphlet con-
tanning condensed outline of some sci
ence, graphically told; the history of the
United States, brief sketches of celebrated
musical composers, and matters of a SINH
lar character. Musical preludes by a
trained and large orchestra followed until
$40, when the audience was allowed to
change its position for five minutes by
standing. Then the principal concert or
lecture 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. among
those in the course being Joseph Cook,
John B. Cough, Gov. st. John, of Kansas,
and others of like character. Gen. Eaton,
the commissioner of education, was pres
ent at the final entertainment few
evenings ago, where Gov. Foster presided,
and declared that there had been no such
work done anywhere in the United States,
and giving it his most earnest commenda-
ton. The amount that has been crowded,
skIllfully and pleasantly, into some of
these performances is wonderful, and the
books that have been given away have
alone been OF more value than has been
charged for the course ticket. Mr.. Bolton,
who has had the work in charge and has
made it labor Of love, says that so far is
is but stepping stone to what can be
done IN the hereafter. There will be no
lack of attendance, as the classes sought
to be benefited have taken hold with due
appropriations and shown an increasing
interest in the course as it has advanced.
The experience gained here is open to the
world, and cities in which no such institu-
tions exist can learn much by glance at
the record of the Cleveland Educational
Bureau.