River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1888-01-26

About the close of the war a strong in
terest was manifested in this state, and
indeed, in all the northern states, in the
matter of common schools. The list of
studies pursued in these schools up to
that time had been very limited: read
ing, writing and arithmetic, with a modi-
cum of grammar and geography constitu-
of reading, was made much Of 1t was
easy to be seen that this list falls very far
short of comprising the whole circle of
human knowledge. Indeed it is very far
short of that amount of knowledge which
a citizen of the United States-a govern
ment by the people-ought to possess.
An extended curriculum this term be-
came very fashionable them was de-
manded. At our educational meetings
this was the chief topic. The famous
apothegm, Man, know myself" was ut
tered, and the necessity for the introduce
ton Of the science of physiology into the
common school was demonstrated. 1t
was also suggested that as the mind is as
important as the body certain amount
of psychology would not be out of place.
But, in a popular government, every citi-
zen, male and female, should be inform
ed in regard to the laws they help to
make and are bound to obey; therefore
the study of the constitution must be
made imperative IN these schools. Again,
as competent knowledge of constitution
al law could not be had without knowl-
edge of its historical antecedents, history
must be added TO the list of studies.
Then there is phonology, the human sys-
tenn considered with respect to the action
of stimulants and narcotics, and other
subsidiary matters too numerous to men
ton. When the boy or girl is introduced
to the High school, which, by the bye, in
most cases is simply the common school
with high sounding title, we have alge-
bra, geometry, physical geography, gram
NAUTICAL analysis, English literature, gen.
eral science, etc, etc, superadded, list
which would have made the collegian of
the eighteenth century stand aghast
But we are not yet done with what add
tons are in contemplation to our ctTricu-
lltm. As American fathers and mothers
are either incompetent or indisposed to
teach their own children anything, the
State is called upon to teach the girls sew
ing, cooking and housekeeping, and the
boys, carpentering, blacksmithing and
farming And the reason for this depart
ure is very obvious. 1t is here: as all
our boys and girls cannot find employ
ment in the liberal professions of law,
medicine or theology, nor even in the
semi-genteel employments of clerking, in
its various phases, school keeping, ped
ding, ETC., it is hoped that by introduc-
ing the industrial arts into our schools
and colleges, such an air of responsibility
viii be given to these avocations as will
induce our young people to take hold of
them, and not leave them wholly TO for
eign immigration.
Looking upon this immense amount of
work laid upon the common school, and
bearing in mind that s. per cent. of the
scholars leave school before the age of IA,
and that 50 per cent. Of the teachers are
girls whose average does not exceed %
years, the character of the work done
cannot be problematic to any observant,
thoughtful, intelligent mind
Doubtless it may be thought desirable
that every child should have a mastery
of all the subjects above mentioned, as it
is desirable that every laboring man
should own a comfortable eight-roomed
house, properly furnished and supplied
with all the modern improvements,
spread an elegant table every day and
dress himself and family in correspond
ing style, and have leisure and indulge
in a taste for aesthetic culture. But we
all know-except it may be few social
ists-that these things are unattainable,
at least at this stage Of the worlds prog
ress
But there are those who have craze