The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-07-11
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS,
Corruption

president of the Indianapolis School Board,
before that body on Monday evening last, was
Of character to commend itself to the atten-
ton of every one interested in the public
schools, either as patron or by reason of his
citizenship and consequent concern in the
proper management of public institutions and
funds. Many of the suggestions made by Mr..
Merritt were in line with points that have
been heretofore urged by the Journal, but
they will bear constant repetition until such
time as they may be put into practice Com
ing, too as these recommendations and ad
monitions do, in this case, from one who has
had twelve years of experience as member
Of the School Board and has given
conscientious attention to his duties,
they should have weight with
those estimable gentlemen in authority who
decline to listen to suggestions from "out-
siders, on the ground that the latter are preju-
diced and illinformed concerning the subject
under discussion. Mr. Merritt's opinion, that
an improvement in the mental and physical
condition of the children will result from re-
ducing the number of pupils in each room
from fifty and sixty to twenty-five and thirty,
is hardly in harmony with the recent proposal
of the board, to economic" by practically
reducing the forco of teachers in the lower
grades by thirteen and consolidating the
classes-a measure which was condemned in
these columns at the time. Mr.. Merritt,
though not specifying the primary schools as
the subject of these remarks, referred to them
Enthusiastically, since, as is well known, the
classes of older pupils bee ONE smaller as they
advance through the grades, and in the latter
years of their course when they are compare
lively we'll qualified for independent study,
receive the individual attention from teachers
which, when younger and in need of special
aid, they found it impossible to secure from
overburdened instructors. The advice in re-
gard to building more school houses for the
accommodation of all future citizens is sup
Elementary to this. The argument in favor
of liberal outlay in the direction Of education
was strongly put and the statistics showing
the respective cost of supporting schools,
iails and poor-houses should be studied
by taxpayers These figures, indeed,
are startling; and admitting as true the speak
er's theory, that the larger proportion Of
ok ~, cd
on the streets, bear out his conclusion that
''any undue or strained economy in the man.
agement of schools will add to the expenses
in the courts prisons and poor-farms at least
two dollars for every one saved in the schools"
But the way to do this is not to use up the
school moneys by educating the few in super
fuous and ornamental, and unnecessary
branches, but by extending the benefits of
the schools to the largest possible numbers
of children during the years when they
are most susceptible to good or bad
influences. 1t is not "a strained economy" to
lop off superb uities to provide for vital neces-
stiles; it is a strained extravaganza to expend
thousands Of dollars a year for what is imprac-
teal. while young children are crowded into
too large classes, and thousands of children
are not even offered school facilities
Mr.. Merritt recognizes the fact that the
nervous strain is great upon children under
the present system, and, as a means of lessen
ing this, recommends the adoption of form
of manual instruction, which, like the kinder
garten plan, will permit the pupils to vary
their intellectual pursuits with occupations
that will be at once relaxation
and benefit. This scheme or
some modification Of it, has been
considered favorably by many parents
who are dissatisfied with the present system,
and the subject will undoubtedly be agitated
until the plan is given trial. Mr.. Merritt,
also, urges the adoption of the free. book sys-
tom; but this is a suggestion that will bear
discussion, and which will probably meet with
opposition from many. Taken as a whole, the
address of the retiring president was most
practical and sensible, and deserves careful
attention by all citizens as we'll as by the new
Board of Commissioners.