The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1884-04-11
INDUSTRIAL EDUCATION.

There are great many 7ery worthy pur-
poses continually appealing 10 the public for
favor and patronage, and our young ladies
are always appealed to first and promise to
lend . hand In getting up entertainments.
We have In mind q new one that we think
would secure public favor, and that 10 fer the
young girls and misses TO organize them.
selves into companies and get up these enter
tainments where all the arrangements, the
work, the reception and entertainment Of
guests should be their own work. But the
principal thing IL that al the cooking should
be their own exclusive work, ahd not the
work Of mother, or Bridget, or auntie. We
want to see our young girls and misses know
all the mysteries Of good cooking. which
seems TO be In danger Of becoming lost art.
would be any the less charming IL they knew
practically every detail of housekeeping and
cooking.-Hetena Herald.
The writer Of the above Is probably Cor
nelius Hedges, ESQ.,, who In the Constitu-
tional Convention introduced q proposition
that every girl in Montana should be re-
quired TO learn how TO sew and cook, and
every boy be learned a useful trade, but the
matter did not come in practical form be-
fore the Convention and never developed o
discussion. If we mistake not, the gentle
man Is seeking to call attention TO an evi.
dent defect In our much-extolled, and in
many phases excellent, system of public
school education, viz: That 1t Is not entirely
adequate 10 the practical requirements Of
life. Mr.. Hedges Is not only ut the head of
m 81 La,
but be 10 skilled educator, ana extended
observation, mature judgment and practi-
cal turn Of mind give his views much weight.
We would like to see them expressed fully.
We offer, with all due difference, our opinion
that the system of education In vogue TO day
is not rs sufficient as Is desirable. We are
examining the boys and misses with too
much book In proportion TO the amount OF
everyday usefulness taught them. They
grow to'look at toil-the work of the kitchen,
household, field and workshop as inferior or
mental occupation, and shun II for the pro.
fessions, clerical positions or other light
occupation In one sex, and in the exercise Of
ephemeral accomplishments and dangerous
idleness Ia the other. There are exceptions,
but this Is the rule. 1t appears to US an in.
disputable fact that America is not educating
Its young SO that at maturity, and when cast
on their own resources, they can take up the
labors Of Life with skilled hands, resolute
minds and pride Of purpose, and meet Its
practical obstacles with practical skill.
How many boys In Montana, of their own
volition, or by requirement of their parents,
supplement fine educations with a good
trade or skilled occupation, that will get
them an honest, honorable living any W here
In the world, while he who is without II
goes idle !? How many young misses Of their
own preference supplement their school ed.
ucation with learning to excel In managing
the economies of the household, In having
the best kept house. in doing the best ba-
king, making and sewing, and who learn use
fulness while they relieve tired mothers of
part Of their burdens ? Very few. And yet
honest industry and good housekeeping are
virtues, honorable In any man or woman,
and Infinitely above frivolous idleness. Use.
full industry keeps the body and mind heal
thy and provides for them. 1t makes
the man or woman relfreliant, and
commands respect for them. There Is
nothing worse can happen to a boy or
girl than to be raised in idleness. No
man Is likely to ever become an ider who
has been raised to everyday habits of indus.
try until twenty-one; and no young woman
who has we'll kept the home house will
likely ever become poor housekeeper when
she Is the mistress of IL.
The question Is to what extent can educa-
ton in industry be incorporated with that of
the book-schools. In many private schools
now girls are taught by competent persons
these matters of household industry, which
mothers are sometimes indisposed and fire.
quently incompetent to teach their daughters.
But with boys there Is . more difficult prob.
lem 10 solve. The household and school
room are not 50 widely separated IS the
school-Toom and workshop. We would be
glad TO see Mr.. Hedges views on the propo-
sition he introduced in the Convention, and
suggestion Of the method, II there IL one, by
which IL could be made effective. The edu-
Gator who can point the American people to
methods whereby the youth Of the country
can be more generally taught to excel In the
practical occupations of life, where manual
labor 10 involved, and inspired with ambition
to excel In them, will be benefactor of his
race.