Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-08-17
SHORTHAND IN THE SCHOOLS.

SHORTHAND IN THE SCHOOLS.
 There has been some agitation recent ly in several of the larger cities in regard to the plan of introducing shorthand into the curriculum of the public schools. The idea has met with considerable favor wherever it has been preached, and it Is quite possible that before long the chil- dren in some of these cities may have the opportunity of acquiring this most useful accomplishment free of expense to their parents or themselves.
 The introduction of shorthand in the schools would be a specially good thing for all concerned unless possibly the pri- vate instructions in the same. There is no change that has resolutely wrought it's way with better results among the uniting people of the country, whether business or professional men, than the change in the method of doing their work. The stenographer and the type writer are now almost universal, and the demand is increasing everywhere that persons engaged in writing or busi ness shall themselves have command of a shorthand system for their own conve- nience. It is also found that this system, is of great service to advanced students in the high schools and in colleges where notes of lectures and oral explanations are to be taken down in writing. The only reason that it is not already more widely prevalent is that the different systems of shorthand have been intricate in details and acquired with difficulty; but now that it has been demonstrated that the shorthand system can be simpli- fled and acquired with comparative ease, the question arises why it should not be introduced into public education. Of course, it would be out of place i'll the primary and grammar schools where its difficulties might not be readily sur mounted; but nearly all the pupils of the high schools, whether intending to com- plete courses of education or take posi- tions where they can secure livelihood, would be greatly assisted by the acquisi- tion of shorthand. It is almost the next
  upon the same basis that training i'll methods of industry makes it's demands upon the school system. It will soon be difficult for young persons to take posi- tions of responsibility where facility in writing is required who are not able to do shorthand work. And for all those who are aspiring to professions, and who depend upon accuracy of detail and ia cility in execution, shor thand has come to be a practical necessity.
 Under these circumstances it may be said that the question of teaching short hand in high schools is becoming a mat ter of necessity as we'll as convenience. The pupils need it as part of the equip meht by which they are to gain liveli- hood when their school days are over; they need it especially if they are to ad- vance from the high school into the uni versity, and thence into professional life. In this view, the claims of those who are advocating the introduction of short hand into the curriculum of the public schools are entitled to respectful consid- eration. Certainly they deserve no less consideration than the claims of those who are urging industrial training and instruction in the mechanic arts in our public schools. If it is the duty of the state, as many hold, and as is being admitted by the growth and popularity of industrial framing in the school, to equip scholars who may choose to make their living by certain forms of industry such as clerking or carpentry, it is nc less it's duty to equip those for the strug gle of life who may choose to enter a field where the knowledge of shorthand is indispensable.
 This matter is, in any event, not un worthy of the serious attention of those who have ill charge the education of oui youth. The more it is considered the more feasible it seems, and it might we'll challenge the consideration of oul local board of education who have ir charge the matter of determining what and how much the pupils in our schools shall receive as their equipment for the battle of life at the expense of the tax. payers.
 FEMALE SUFFRAGE.
 The increasing agitation on the part oi certain set of strong-minded women o,d tbo;r p,ola svmDathizerS on the sl1b