Morning journal and courier., 1886-05-13

half dozen three months terms learned to | spell and write and uiphef with an accuracy which many children do not now attain after 8 ten years course in the schools. Under the old system the pupils did not listen to so much instruction in geology, botany, philosophy, astronomy, nor did they devote much attention to music, drawing, German and French, all of which are dinhed into the ears of even the babies now; but what they did learn was of immediats use, and an ea- cellent groundwork fof the practical eduea- tion which must come in later life."
 Does not the Journal voice the opinion of eight-tenths of those who contriButs tb the support of our schools and those who are successful in our community? and does not the criticism apply with striking force to the system which prevails in our High School to-day9 The States idea is to give free to every child the advantage of a common school education and to fit young men and women for ife's practical duties. Does the High school as at present eendheted produce these resultss
 Does the multiplicity of studies and the
 forcing system now existing result in pre-
 parpg in the best way majority of those
 who enter for the duties that are before
 thems\ Should not the studies be
 changed and modified so as to get
 the best results for the greatest
 numbere Not one child in twenty after he
 graduates snters college or finds the study
 of the classlss of any advantage in support
 ing himself. Why then should the time of
 all De used In Irepating for something which
 IS ot little advantage, which they cannot en-
 joy, and neglecting that which is important
 to thelr future success. The question arises,
 what change can be made in the classifca-
 cation of studies and tEe management of the
 High school so as to Geneft the greatest
 number who enter it. To my mind one or
 two years commercial or brsiness course, the
 aim and object being to prepare them as far
 as practicable, with the information neces-
 sary to enter the various pursuits of industry
 to which their tastes and natulal abilities
 lead and enable them to become good self
 supporting citizens, is better than that which
 now prevails. The course should be made
 distinct and separate, so that the pupils who
 desire to avail themselves of it's benefits may
 know what they have before them. The
 ablest and most efficient teachers should be
 provided; those that have the faculty and
 are competent to demonstrate in a practical
 way the studies pertaining to it. Scholars
 should graduate from this course and a certi-
 6cate or diploma be given them, showing
 their proficiency, and this would be hel p
 to them in securing places among the worlds
 workers A commercial course properly or ganized would commend itself to the iudg-
 ment of sensible parents, and they would be anxious to give their children it's benefits
 They would feel that their children were en- tering on course of practical study that
 would prepare them for right start in the world.
 They would also know that they could graduate from this course, and that it would
 not strain and undermine their health. It
 would save both the parent and child the feeling of modification that many of them
 now suffer, when children are compelled to
 drop out, as many do in the four years course, without the honors of graduation.
 It would stimulate the children to greater zeal in understanding and perfecting them selves in the studies of the course, for they
 would be anxious to graduate, commence
 work, and get the first fruits of their labor It would encourage them to be self-sustain- ing, and make them ambitious to help their parents and support the family. It would be good for both sexes; for young women who have practical training are now getting positions in factories, stores and counting rooms, the same as young men, and earning their own living.
 Practical business men would look with as much favor upon graduate from this class as they would from the four years course; in many instances with more, and employ one more frequently.
 Look into the various cities throughout the country and examine the educational ad- vantages that the successful business men in their youth received. Not one in twenty had more than the common English branches taught him, and that in district school They were not given smattering of foreign and dead languages and other studies that were of no lasting benefit, but used their time in thoroughly familiarizing them- branches, and later on in life, if their business required or their tastes demanded a higher order of study, earnestly applied themselves to work and obtained it. Knowl- edge gained in this way is not forgotten, and the effort that it costs to get it disciplines and makes it worth more than if forced upon one free. Of course it is not possible to or ganize and carry on a commercial department in our High school that will give the scholar the practical benefits that can be gained by actual experience in business. It is feasible, however, in my opinion, to organize and one that will fit and better qualify a large majority that desire it's benefits to en- ter the various vacations that will be open after they graduate, and make it easier for them to get start in life. It is not the quantity but the quality that is given them that teaches and helps them to become good self supporting and sustaining citizens. The various business colleges that are scattered all over the country, and the support they receive, indicate that our schools do not meet all the requirements needed. There is noth- ing useful taught in them that could not be introduced in our schools to the advantage of many. do not advocate turning our High school into business college, but am convinced that changes can be made in it's management that will bring greater bene- fits to the community, that will. better qual- fly it's graduates for the practical realities of life, and better enable them to fight the bat tie for living.
 The members of this chamber are inter- ested in getting the most favorable results for the largest number in our High school. The expense of maintaining it is heavy and subject of criticism and complaint. Changes of some kind will be absolutely necessary in the future. These that I have suggested cannot be made unless public opinion is moulded to sustain them. If they meet with your approval ask you to give them your thoughtful consideration and endorsement
 "The New Haven and Derby railroad" was the next toast and M. F. Tyler was called upon to respond. He said that in these gatherings for many years past the Derby railroad has been a popular subject for discussion even from it's infancy to l the present time. I would not say hat there many things that you need to | hear about more than the Derby railroad but | propose to talk to you though you had 1 never heard about it before. There is a feel | ng in New Haven in regard to the Derby | railroad which amounts to sentiment. This | sentiment saved the Derby railroad, and | when it was almost bankrupt there was a | sentiment that brought the road up to pro- per standard and saved the city harmless. | 1now that business matters are not conducted | ,n the grounds of sentiment, but there are matters that are brought up to sentimental | point and the Derby railroad is one of them. The city owns the Derby railroad It is your oad. What have you got in this road2 You lave the only railway entrance into New Ha- zen not controlled by one other authority. All other entrances to New Haven by rail Ire metropolitan, and that means New York Then again you have entrance to the Nau- ,atuck valley, an entrance that some day
 don't know how-someone will see that it irings the Pennsylvanian coal fields forty or fifty miles nearer to eastern tidewater than l low. That time is coming, and it will not To for New Haven to let the key to that gat 70 out of her hands. Again, the New York oad wanted to build their new depot, and he Derby railroad owned the land and they wanted it. Well, it was sold to them, md you got in return fight of way to Starin's wharf and that can lot be taken from you. Then channel was nade and wharves were built and it has brought you a competing traffic in freight rom New York to New Haven The moment