The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-09-05

ing magazine In New TX, besides thousands
OF oiiers TO furnish articles made by other con-
trInutors. What is the news? is the question
most frequently asked. II s.irs q thrilling i'm
Pulse IN the hearts OF children as well as in those
OF rlper years. The answers in the omnipresent
press quicken the pulse of all classes, and like
steam or electricity. they become living, ac-
tive force in the lives OF the whole people. The
voice OF the press is promoter of good or evil,
helpful servant or q remorseless master. Its
utteranees make or break reputasiors build or
tear down private fortunes. disturb or quiet the
current OF the thought OF the world, aud rouse
or calm the waves of angry passion. No new
discovery in mechanics, science, or the arts can
escape the argus-eyed press. Its reporters and
editors are bound by no "pent up Utica." they
girdle the entire earth. travel over every land,
fefhom the profoundest depths, lesrn its history
geography, climate. its inventions, its social
charac teristics, its languages and laws and this
mass OF information is laid at the door OF every
palace and hut throughout the land. There is
no enterprise in any section OF the world where
this great civIlizer. the press, has not its
efficient agents and reporters They are watch
ing engineers in their great purpose oil shorten
Ing the highways of commerce between
different sections of the world by uniting the
waters OF the two oceans In the heart of the
dark continent they are with Stanley, aiding
him IN mapping out great inland seas measur-
Ing the height and length OF mountain ranges,
threading their way through tangled forests and
fertile valleys, and learning the languages GUS
toms and laws of hitherto unknown tribes and
people. They are with every exploring expedi-
ton, whether amid the desolation of ruined
cities OF the Old World. or climbing the sides of
glaciers in the extreme and unknown portions
OF Alaska. These tireless agents and discoveries
lay down at the hearth-stone of every home the
fruits OF their interchangeable labors dwarfing tine
world into toy. the seeming plaything of
child. The journals in our country today are
instruments mighty and ell-powerful Upon
their pages are thoughts and Impressions
whose power stirs for good or i'll the secret
chambers OF every human soul If the power
OF the press is such q mighty factor il is impor-
tant that those who WELD il should be most
conspicuous among men for the sense OF moral
obligation, and they should be held to the strict
est responsibility by the enlightened judgment
OF our counfrymen. Can anyone DOUBT the in
fuence of such textbook as the daily press?
The curricula of our schools and colleges class
lily their studies and name the text books, but
an examination somewhat carefully made of the
catalogues Of the leading institutions reveals
the fact that the press, the one great text book,
that all-embracing encyclopedia OF current
events has no place or mention. Nevertheless II
true estimate is made there is no textbook so
mighty and potential The homeis the nations
great university, and in its sacred precincts
millions OF people find in the sally, weekly and
monthly pages of the press that which builds up
and ennobles and strengthens character and in :
sures the permaneney of our institutions AS
en- educator the press is more powerful than the
textbook, because in every home in the entire
nation old and young are studying current
events and the issues raised by them. During
the last quarter of the century this great infiu-
ence has pushed far forward the hand on the
great dial plate of our national destiny. 1t is
true there are prophets with pessimistic eyes
peering into the future who think they discover
perils that lie across the pathway of our nations
progress. The uplifting power of pure press is
able to check all such evil forebodings and curb
and control all nihllistic and communistic
tendencies. Through its influence the foreign
ers who land on our shores will be fitted for
intelligent citizenship. 1t will dissipate the
dark cloud OF iliiteracy that now envelopes
considerable portion of our territory. A people
who are close students OF current events cannot
long remain in ignorance. The youth of the
country are mighty reserve corps that will
soon march boldly into the battle OF life. There
are Il. lis. 1919 children in the United States be-
tween the ages OF and IA years. These are
soon to become active participants in the affairs
OF government In the pdblic schools there is
total enrolment of IL 29l, $50 There are 1861
in private schools. &c. 9s6 young men in colleges
and universities. 9,62l in the agricultural de-
partmens, 7,716 in schools OF science,
20,20l in medical colleges, $3.50 in
theological schools, 1905 in law schools,
and 26,9i5 young women in colleges
for their sex. making grand total of 12,600014
students. What an army marching with
majestic tread into the response bilities OF
citizenship and the duties of active business
lie. The influence of the press upon these
young minds cannot be estimated too
highly. These millions in schools and colleges
are forming characters that will influence
and control their lives III all after years. hence
il is of greatest importance that the literature
they read should pass under the watchful eye
of wise parents aud judicious teachers. Goethe
says: "As are ones inclinations, SO are his
opinions" II is also certainly true that If the
opinions of the young are firmly rooted and
grounded in the truth the inclinations OF ma
ture years will enable them to live noble and
useful lives. critical examination of the class
of literature toutside Of the regular curriculum)
which these hungry millions reading would
doubtless astonish thoughtful educators. In q
recent investigation made in q grammar school
OF 2l4 scholars it was found sixtyfiye had library
cards, six read The Swiss Cross, devoted to
natural history, seven read the st. Nicholas,
seven the Wide Awake, eight fvecent novels
fifteen dime novels, twenty-six the Youths
Companion. thirty-two the Golden Argosy,
thirty-six Golden Days, forty three fiction eighty
seven Sunday school books and loo read the
daily papers. This school was in the heart of
Ohio, and was one in which the utmost care
was taken as to the class of literature read by
the pupils. The results in this case probably
are not unlike those that would be found in the
majority of schools. The fact is patent to every
one that the American people, old and young,
are hungry readers The vast increase in
the number and character OF journals
and magazines the last twenty years
is proof conclusive that the relish
for literature furnished by the press IS increas-
ing with every passing year. This being true.
is it not high time for parents and educators TO
carefully consider whether a recast OF the Or
binary school curriculum is not necessary. An
arrangement OF a course of study that will put
the student more closely in touch with the real
world seems to be demanded by the age in
which we are living. Ths student needs to BE-
come master of all present current events a. thu
same time that ne is storing his mind with the
literature ana history of the past and thus
equipped, when he leaves mis- alma mater. he
will be able 20 step Immediately into the active
world, finished aud polished scholar Disguise
IL as we may, there is general feeling of I'M
rest and inquiry among thoughtful educators.
College presidents and professors are recon-
mending shorter courses of study. OLD modes
are being questioned and the times seem 10 be
ripe for radical changes and for new methods
more in harmony with the advanced position of
this remarkable age. Educational journals are
fruitful in suggestions, while the secular press
is discussing different methods of bridging the
gaps between the home and business world and
the public school and college. Experience
shows that under the ordinary plan OF study
the student who spends three years in a pre-
paratory school, four years in college,
and three years in q professional course,
at the end, with diploma in hand
TOO often realizes the sad fact that
he steps out into the world 10 find that
he Is more than matched in business life By
some one unfamiliar with Shakespeare, Dante
and the old masters and orators of Greece and
Rome. Had his course of study embraced the
All search into crlrrsnt events founn In an