Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1883-10-25
CITY MARKET
cUi BONO.

To the Editor Of tie Eagle:
For the last few years leading educators
have, at the instigation of many thinking
men, been paying considerable attention to
the subject of industrial drawing. 1t is q
well known fact that majority of our art
isans are incapable Of drafting with any
degree of accuracy; that the majority Of
men, if called upon to make on paper
drawing of the simplest object, cannot ac-
complish it. Our children, when required
to draw maps, (the only way TO study geog-
raphy) make, in the majority of instances.
sorry work Of it. How often have we all
felt our need of the power to represent by
pen and pencil our ideas.
The larger part of the inventions and
manufactures Of mechanical industries must
first take shape as drawings upon paper,
and these must be read and understood by
workmen before patterns and models can
be made, from which products of industry
for the markets can be constructed. II
boys and girls receive instruction in draw
ing, the results will be evident in work.
shops and factories. and America will soon
be Independent OF foreign inventions and
designs which ale rarely adapted to the
wants, tastes and habits of our people. We
find that the German and English scholars
are universally apt with their pencil. This
branch has, for many years in those coun-
tries, received great attention. Looking
over the long lists of draughtsmen and de.
signers, how few comparatively are Of
American extraction.
The late philanthropist, Peter Cooper,
felt this when he erected Cooper Institute
in New York City and threw open its doors
to the people without money and without
price. How many men now risen to emi-
nence as architects and designers, have Pc.
ter Cooper to thank for all they are. O'Fal-
Ion, of st. Louis, by his endowment of the
Polytechnic Institute has given to the poor
a lasting boon. But this does not reach our
children. What can we do TO encourage
les, for years, this industrial drawing has
been taught with the idea ever before the |
mind that draughtsmen were to be made, |
not artists.
Some may say, "This is all very well, but |
it is acquired at the expense of the solid |
studies" The time devoted to this does |
not exceed fifteen minutes daily. in no
way does it detract from any of the ether
studies. IL serves, indeed, as a recreation.
Many say: "My children have not talent for |
lrawing." I would simply say to such:
suspend judgment until an opportunity is
given the child. You will be surprised ut |
he result.
This is no experiment. 1t has been tried /
with the best Of results in our older schools. |
where it has been in vogue /
Tor years will not hear OF its being dropped /
from the course. LeavenwoTth puts it in /
his year. 1t is already in at Topeka. The
state University demands it Of candidates
N its requisites for admission.
In fine. give the drawing a chance and II,
lfter fair trial, this community objects,
;hange Of programme will be in order, and
VIC will admit that which we do not now
believe, namely: that Wichita is not suffi-
,iently advanced in the scale Of civilization
o warrant as thorough and complete pub
ic school system as is demanded by older
titles having the same population.
4 Havvnou Cnpar; afopiaut