The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-11-08
A PRACTICAL HISTORY LESSON.
How 1t Is Taught IN Washington--Politic
Made Plain to Children.

How 1t Is Taught IN Washington--Politics
Made Plain to Children.
New York Mail aud Express
History is taught in a novel way in Washing
ton. and the pupils are taught in practical way
that seems worthy OF emulation. According to
a gentleman who recently went through school
in that city, the following plan is pursued:
The other day he visited the room OF DR..
Roush. the principal OF the school in the Henry
Building. He was motioned to a seat and the
work Of the school proceeded without Interrupt.
ton. it soon became apparent that something
of unusual interest was taking place. The face
of every member OF the school was sblaZe with
interest and enthusiasm, and frequent "points
OF order" and constitutional references" were
suggested The visitor saw that an election OF
some sort was taking place, and in due time the
ballots were cast, tellers appointed and the
votes counted. The result WAS the nomination
Of two presidential tickets, at which point the
hour for closing had arrived and the school ois-
missed.
That" said DR.. Rush. answering the visitors
inquiry, sis practical way of teaching history.
We have just finished the study of that part OF
the Constitution pertaining to the election OF the
President and Vice-president. and now We are
doing the practical work. The balloting you
have just witnessed was in the convention. and
we have now nominated our tickets. l divide
the school into two factions or parties, and each
party is allowed 10 nominate a ticket. The can
didates are members of the school, and no little
interest is taken in them. The pupils do the
practical work. and when they are at loss to
know how to proceed the Constitution is con-
suited After the electors are chosen they vote
and send the result to the proper body. In case
OF tie on either President or Vice-president we
resolve ourselves into the House or Senate, as
the case may be- and decide the contest We
do the work as nearly as possible that is actually
done in our national elections, and in instead OF
reading what is usually dull constitutional mat
ter, we take up the real work and study becomes
one of intense interest TO the scholars"
"Do you find that the scholars have much Of
an idea OF an election hero in the District OF
Columbial"
mo; not as much as those who live where
they may witness several elections a year, and
this fact alone makes il doub.y interesting to
them. Tomorrow, at the history hour, the
electors will be chosen, and the manner Of
choosing them ia the subject for study.
az emphatically believe in teaching those I'M
der my care the practical application of knowl-
edge. knowledge that can't be applied is use
less in the majority of cases. There is too much
useless book lore taught everywhere. Girls and
boys TOO frequently leave our public schools
with their brain crammed with impracticable
rubbish and data. They should be taught to
think and reason, to develop and apply. to ana
lyze and construct Such minds In demand
in practical life. Such men and women become
the great and stanch motor powers Of our land"