The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1889-08-08
4 READERS EXPERIENCE WITH
PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS.

between the "fuOt anu T., LII the
"Nordwesten," concerning this absorbing
school question. Evidently the editor of
the pilot" is impressed wit, the iniis-
putable fact, that the German parochial
school is not ID fair condition to give
the pupil an English education which
will fit him for American society. But
the trouble seems to be, that the pilot"
has no ready material to prove logically
for "P." wants clean cut syllogism-,
that facts are facts. On the other hand
Fps" position appears much the same as
that of the fellow, who said, you can't
prove that am drunkard if you have
seen me tipsy once or twice, because l
can prove, that I am sober sometimes"
Mr.. 'Nagle has in number of cases met
with sad deficiency in English among
scholars of the German parochial schools,
but "P." thinks he can show him some OF
He does not try very hard to press his
point, that English is taught sufficiently
in those schools: and it is well, that he
does not He simply parties Mr.. Nagle's
blows as well as he can. Now, in spite
of syllogisms, of which "P." offers a some
what illshaped sample; yes IN spite of all
this maneuvering trying to prove what
can't be proven, don't we all know, not
merely from few cases but from our
daily intercourse with pupils and teach
ers of those schools, that, while they are
not commanding the very best of Ger
man, they are sadly deficient in English?
In other words, is it not a fact, that
everybody, who lives contiguous to our
Lutheran neighbors may observe that
their children are being taught in low
er grade school than those who attend
the public school? Either that or their
natural happiness must be the cause Of
their intellectual deficiency. The reason
for this condition of things is obvious.
| Poorly salaried teachers, a majority Of
whom have either not been trained in
the best institutions of learning, or who
have emigrated at such a late date, that
the English language and American
methods of teaching do not Gull
inmate in the application of the lash
were out of their reach, are at the bot
tom Of it.
But "P." wants syllogisms. Well, the
writer has a few facts in mind, that might
furnish material for at least one. Let it
be this.
A school that is conducted by teacher
who is unable to converse in English,
can not be the means of giving proper
instruction in English. The Lutheran
parochial schools are largely conducted
by men who can neither converse in En-
glish nor have they fair knowledge of
the written language. Consequently a
number of the parochial; schools are I'M
fit to offer instruction in English. The
facts are these:
A few years ago the writer frequently
visited Norman, Dodge Co. The whole
community there is under the influence
of that church school, the district school
having been abandoned by public vote.
| But what about the condition of the
children and young folks there? Well,
in most cases, that came to the writer's
notice, the young folks, who had been
born and bred in that neighborhood,
were unable to use classical German, but
invariably substituted for it low dutch.
You might as we'll have spoken French
| to them as English. Let me give you an
instance.
The writer, "Can you tell me the way
to Mr.. Ringle?"
Young girl, "Watt?"
The writer, "Bitte, vie fnde ich wohl
den Veg yum Herrn Ringle?"
Young girl, Il dat Kannk chr woll
seggen."
About at the time of these occurrences
the writer lived at Lowell, Wis. There
was Lutheran school at that place at
the time which was conducted by the
aged pastor H of the place, who was
scarcely able to use his own tongue with
any degree of correctness. Now, is it
not absurd, to talk about such men teach
ing English?
| have another case in MUD There is
congregation of the Evangelical Synod
of North America" not thousand miles
from here, which at the time of the
writer's stay at that place, attempted to
ptair III
the parents protest. The school was
conducted successfully by the pastor
and two different teachers The writer
knew all of these men we'll and often as
ISOLATED with them. But with the ex-
ception Of the pastor, they were unable
to carry on the most simple conversation
in English. | could call to mind case
from along the Winnebago lake shore of
a similar character. In fact, all cases,
that have come under my observation
have proved the uselessness of those
schools to attempt teaching English.
But with ''P." there is no argument in
all this. Why not? Because you can't
prove that this rule applies in every case
Anybody can easily see how utterly i'm
possible it is to furnish that proof.
But how is it that "P." is so confident
that his view is the correct one? Is he
himself competent judge? Why doesn't
he write his replies to the pilot" in En-
glsh? The editor not being German,
is unable to peruse the objections of his
opponent. | don't doubt but that the
editor would gladly open the "Pilot's"
columns. Why not Mr.. app" X.
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