Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1883-06-09

TIE HUOlMBNTs FhssST'
"Pareut," whose letter we publish else
where in the SENTINEL this morning, has
the correct idea. The policy Of extending
the course of study in the common
schools 90 as TO embrace a part Of the currl'
cuIum of the university or college is not
GOOD. Considered a. an independent
proposition, the propriety of giving q
liberal education to the young men and
Young women of our public schools is not
questioned. But the proposition cannot
be considered properly without reference
to certain facts that are often overlooked
or underestimated.
In the outset, it must be recognized
that free public schools are essentially an
institution Of charity.
Although many persons who contribute
to their support get their money back in
the education Of their children, there
are q great many benefactors who receive
no direct benefit from them.
Education is offered to all children
free. and tho expenses OF the tuition OF
all are paid out Of the public treasury.
The object Of the community in offer
ing this charity is the greatest good OF
the greatest number. The prime aim OF
public education is to dispel Ignorance
and Law the foundation of intelligence in
the minds Of as many children as possi-
BILE, for upon the intelligence OF the rls'
ing generation depends very largely the
future welfare Of our society and our
government.
In order to good citizenship a famil-
iarity with the arts and sciences is not
necessary.
What is needed is q thorough training
in the rudiments of an English sduca-
ton. This is first, paramount and indis-
pensable.
If the means and facilities exist for
higher education, then, doubtless, the
higher the better. But nothing should
be done to interfere with the thorough
acquisition in our public schools OF that
r~udimentary knowledge which will fit
boys and girls for the duties OF actual
life, and make them intelligent in deal.
ing with practical, every day business as
men and women.
This is the bedrock policy Of ou pub
lie school system, and that which consti-
tutes its supreme usefulness. This use
fulness is often impaired, sometimes
destroyed, by an attempt to make the
public school what it never was intended
to be, and what it can never be con.
sistently with the idea of popular edu'
cation.
Beginning with the primer and running
up through the three RS" the little
children should receive all the time and
attention that they require to advance
them ~ rapidly as possible under whole
some school discipline. The momen,
there is = lack Of school facilities from
any cause whatever, the highest depart
ment should stand the brunt for the re-
lief Of all the departments below, and !
the worst should come to the worst il
would be better to do away with one
department after another in their or
der from the top downwards rather
than sacrifice the hopes Of the pri'
mary class Of little boys and girls il
whose minds the Arst rays Of intellect
ual light srs entering. And, In re
verse order, from the foundation to the
top Of the supsrstruosurs. the depart
msnts should BE- established q above
the other ~ fast ~ adequate means car
DO had for the maintenance Of all.
Sometimes Il 10 : delicate question q
TO how far education may BE- consist
entity carried Ia the public school Of
particular locality. - In Eureka. but
when doubts arise In such > considera.
tion they ought to be resolved always In
favor Of elementary education.