Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-11-23
DEFECTS IN OUR SCHOOL
SYSTEM.
More show than SOIIdiIy-TO6
Many Young Teachers.

The Lowell Morning Times com
ments as follows on the education
question: Minister James Russell
Lowell is reported 10 have said in a
speech made by him in London that
America was the most common
schooled and least cultured of any of
the great countries but we believe he
spoke thus because Of the non. practi-
cality of our system, its too elaborate
requirements in the way Of mere or,
namental instruction, and the absence
Of that solidity which would belong to
it were it not for such exorescent him
dances. Mr.. Russell is an American
and gentleman, and never would SO
express himself in the way Of sneering
at our educational system. Heknows
its faults, and, II our Interpretation of
his meaning is correct-and we be.
lieve it is-he only stated what the
many on this side Of the Atlantic
know to be true. There is a becoming
pride,an much good cause for tito be
entertained on account of
our schools; but much Of
this, be it noted, is on account
Of the great liberality Of the peo-
pie in their sustainment. While this
is clear, aud while it results in credit
to the people, the fact cannot be kept
out Of sight that there is popular and
daily growing demand that our school
system should be better adapted to
benefit the multitude Of pupils, say up
to the ages Of IA and 10 years, than is
now in far too many instances. This
demand is for more solidity in the
matter Of instruction during the eight
or nine years curriculum OF the mass
Of scholars-the importation Of what
constitutes the fundamental bases
Of education without the interference
Of the merely ornamental studies
which serve only to dissipate the
strength and firmness on the muscles
OF the young who are called to the
duties OF industry in their earlierteens.
This isa very proper requirement, and
our schools might DO made to furnish
the benefits sought without any ma
terial revelations Of ruling systems.
While the accomplishment Of reform
in this matter is in very general de,
mand, there are other things in our
system OF school management which
need curative treatment. As
0 contemporary says, there are
sundry things which do need criticism,
and among them is the custom, more
or less prevalent, Of putting teachers
who are too young into responsible
positions in our schools, mainly
through school boards being infu
enced in the selection Of teachers by
other considerations than those Of
candidates fitness. Where this has
been the case the question has come
up as to where experience shorld be-
gin. Oltentimes inexperienced teach
ers have been saddled on the primary
departments, which ought not to be
made the place of initiating the in>
competent aud training them up TO
capability. How many terms Of teach
ing can the public afford 10 allow a
teacher on which to ct for the bust
ness Of teaching2a contemporary asks
and Il answers, mot one; and What
shall reoompense these scholars un-
fortunate enough to be under a teacher
who is learning 10 teach by practice
upon them2 Nothing can. The selec-
ton of good and competent teachers is
Of vital moment to the public schools,
and with them all that could be exs
pected may be accomplished"
For the benefit Of those desiring to
emigrate to Dakota and localities in
the Northwest and far West, the Chi
cago, Milwaukee & st. Paul Railway
Company has published an illustrated
pamphlet Of twenty pages, full Of COM
mon sense facts and valuable informa-
ton and statistics, which will be sent
free of charge, by addressing A. V. II.
Carpenter, General Passenger Agent,
Milwaukee, Wis, ~ 0H IS