Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1890-12-11
PUBLIC SCHOOL MATTERS.
supt. Morgan Busy on His Report-The
Question of Text Books.
Special Telegram to tie Sunday REGISTER.


Question of Text Books.
Special 7slegram TO tie Sunday REGISTER.
CHARLESTON, W. VA, December 10.
State Superintendent OF Free Schools
4. s Morgan is up to his eyes in work,
being in the midst Of the preparation of
his annual report. When the REGISTER
correspondent called at his office this
afternoon he found Mr.. Morgan busily
engaged, though after the usual bust
ness hours, but not too much occupied
TO talk on his favOrite subject of educa-
ton, and how the education of the
youth of this State can best be improved.
Three things are needed in the coun-
try schools in this State, said Mr.. Nor
gan,-a course Of study; supervision, TO
see that this course is adhered TO; and
ultimately, compulsory education, TO
compel the children TO receive the bene-
fits 10 which they are entitled.
The course of study for the country
schools is subject that is receiving
much attention throughout the coun-
try. The idea of adopting uniform
course OF study has been credited by
the United States Commissioner of Ed
ucatiOn to Prof. A. l.. Wade, of Morgan
town, who, several years ago, prepared
such 4 course OF study for the schools OF
MouOngalia county. AT this time there
are some eight or ten counties In the
State that have adopted such course
and all find il beneficial.
In 1876 the French government senta
commission to America TO look into the
American common school system. This
commission made most flattering re-
port on the city schools, but reported
that our country schools were about as
poorly conducted, and lacked about as
much Of accomplishing what they were
intended 10 do as possible.
That resort seemed to open the eyes
of American educators and they have
ever since been endeayoring to bring
about more efficient country school
system. Prof. Wade'S idea seems TO
have found general favor and in some
ten States 4 uniform course Of study
has been adopted. Ii is recognized in
most States that the ineiiiciency OF the
country teacher, or rather his lack OF
knowledge how TO teach TO the best ad-
vantage, is the great cause OF the fall
ure of the schools TO accomplish what
they should If the teacher is given a
regular course Of instruction and told
Just how much the pupils should be re-
quired TO accomplish in given time,
with instructions how TO teach the var
iouS subjects embraced in the course, 1t
is found that he performs his duty much
more satisfactorily and successfully.
At the meeting Of the State Educa-
tional Association at ParkerSburg last
Summer, committee, composed OF
Hon. B. ;. Morgan, Geo. Laidley, OF
Charleston; Mai. John Lee, OF Hunting
ton: Prof. 4. l.. Wade, of MOrgantowD,
and ). W, Wiley, Of Hinton, was APP
pointed to prepare such course OF
study Is was desired. They have COM
pleted their work and il will be incorpo-
rated i'm the report of Mr.. Morgan, and
an effort made TO have the Legislature
adopt the course suggested, or a similar
one, for use throughout the country
schools Of the State.
However desirable this course of
study might be, it would fail of its in
tentiOnS unless there were some one APP
pointed in each county TO see that 1T
was carried out. The teacher OF Il
country school is accountable TO no one
for his methods, and unless he Is
made so, the systematic course could
hardly be carried out rs contemplated.
Mr.. Morgan spoke very highly of the
work being done by City Superintend-
entS, and said If they do so well In the
city he didn't see why they wouldn't
be of aS much service in the country.
The city Of Wheeling sees the necessity
of supervision of its teachers and pays
superintendent 81 500 a year To super
wise only. II also pays l. principals
$500 4 year, making about $1,000 for
supervision alone. kanawha county,
lleaViug Charleston OUT, with about
the same population as Wheeling, pays
for its supervision $500 a year. Kama
wha is not an exceptional county either.
II the superintendent are worth so
much to city schools why are they not
worth that much tOthe country schools.
Mr.. Morgan is preparing very care
fully compiled table showing the per-
centage of children Of school age in the
State who are not I'm school. Though
his tables are not complete still they
show surprisingly large number 81
children idle or loafing.
When the compulsory education law
was put in effect in Chicago, 10000
children were added TO the schools, who
before had been idiing away their time
on the streets. SO in this State, there
is large number Of the same class.
Everywhere the complaint is the same.
NOn-attendanco or irregular attendance
is prevalent all over the State.
!. What is the use of spending million
and quarter dollars annually, as West
Virginia does, for educating the child
rem OF the State, if they will not take
advantage of il? Has the State right
TO tax the people TO educate the child
rem for the purpose of making good
citizens, and then let them grow mp in
ignorance from choice? IL would seem if
the people are taxed to educate and
make good citizens of the youth of the
state. that they have the right TO see
that the money is used for that purpose,
aud that large number of children are
not permitted TO grow up in ignorance,
wherein lies the danger Of republican
form of government.
These are some Of the subjects Sug-
gested by talk with Mr.. Morgan, and
which will be treated in his report.
which will prepared in a few days. His
report is expected 10 be very interest
ing one to the people Of the State.