Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1890-05-17
MANUAL TRAINING.
TIE SENTIMENT IN FAVOR OF SUCH 4
SCHOOL GROWING.
Valuable Information % the Subject From the RsPoIi
Of tie Baltimore School, Which Should
bs Closely Studied.

There is no doubt but that the propo-
sition TO establish a manual training
school in this city, as an auxiliary TO the
present educational system, is steadily
gaining friends. not only in the Board Of
Education, but among the thinking ele-
ment OF the community at large. The
more thought bestowed upon the sub
iect and the further investigation is
pushed, the more apparent the advan-
tages and needs Of such school be-
come. and the conclusion is inevitable
among all who enter with an unbiased and
spirit into the study OF the
question, that a manual training school
is lust the thing needed 10 round out,
and make practical, the educa-
tiOnal theories at present inStiiled Oy
slow degrees into the mind OF the aver
age pupil. through books and oral
teaching. While the present public
school system is in every respect admir-
able. il must be conceded there Is lack
ing the very valuable element Of actual
demonstration. of the things thought, IN
a tangible and practical way. Anything
which will supply this deficiency, by
giving the pupil the opportunity 10 be
brought in actual contact with mater
ials. methods and appliances, and
allow him to accomplish in
reality the things referred TO in the
text books. must OF necessity broaden
the whole educational system, and be OF
great aud lasting benefit TO the pupil,
and through him to the community.
An aid to education of such obvious
worth must eventually win its way TO
public favor and i'm the end become a
reality and fixture here in Wheeling.
The sixth annual catalogue OF the
Baltimore training school has just been
published, and from its pages much in
formation OF decided interest TO citizens
Of Wheeling may be CLEANED. This
school. established in 1888, is under the
supervision of the Board Of Education,
and has been an unqualified success from
the start, having at present many hun
dreds Of pupils. The objects OF the
school are laid down rs follows:
instruction and practise in the use OF
tools and such instructions as may be
deemed necessary in mathematics, drawing
and the English branches Of q high school
course The tool instruction shall include
carpentry. wOOd-turning, pattern-maklng,
chipping and filing. forge work. moulding.
soldering and brazing, and the use OF ma
chimes. shop tools and such other instruc-
lion of q similar character as may be
deemed advisable 10 add 70 the foregoing
from time 10 time, IL being the intention TO
Of as
nearly as possible equally between manual
and mental exercises. This school differs
from the city college in emitting from its
required studies ancient languages, in Civ
ng prominence TO mechanical drawing, and
in atfording scientific instruc-
lion and actual practise in the care and use
)f tools.
The school does not teach trades. Its
Aim Is more comprehensive lays the
foundation for many trades, and al the
sane time recognizes the value OF intellec-
ual discipline. IL is not assumed that
every bov who enters the school will be
mechanic Some will find that they have
DO taste for manual arts, and will turn into
lther paths-law, medicine or literature.
Some who develop both natural skill and
strong intellectual power, Will push on
through the polytechnic school into the
higher realms Of professional life. as en-
yineers or scientists. Others will ind
their greatest usefulness, as well rs high
Isl happiness, in some branch Of mechan-
cal work into which they will readily step
when they leave school. All will gain IN
by their experience in contact
With things. The general result will be an
increasing interest in manufacturing pur-
suits. more Intelligent mechanics, more
f...sF nnstH
more slSillful physicians and more useful
'itizens."
In the report OF the committee recon-
the establishment of the
school, il was said:
There seems to be little difference Of
opinion among educators upon the subject,
ali agreeing that il is expedient and proper
10 furnish instruction adapted TO the wants
Of the future artisans, as we'll as 10 those
who intend 10 enter the learned professions,
but there is a difference Of views us to the
best method Of accomplishing the desired
result. A knowledge of some form of in
iustIial labor is as necessary rs u knOwl-
edge of books, and as the State and the
city acknowledge their obligation TO teach
children to read and write, they cannot
ienv this obligation 10 learn them 10 work,
welfare as the former. IL is undoubtedly
true that the best and most popular system
Of public education is that which furnishes
such practical instruction to the pupils OF
the school as will bsst nc them 10 perform
their duties and obligations To
society. in whatever sphere they may be
placed Only small portion of those who
receive this education in the public schools
ever enter the professions, but the large
number become artisans and adopt me
chanical occupations for their future sup
mort In view of this fact. ii would seem
proper that this latter class should have
such facilities furnished az public expense
as would enable them TO accomplish the
best results, both for their own benefit and
that Of the community in which they live"
The baltimore school has.Seyen hun
dFed and seven pupils. The course OF
study embraces i've parallel lines, and
extends over three years, Candidates
for admission must be- fourteen years OF
age. and OF good character, and must
pass an examination In reading, spell
ing. writing, geography, English COM
position. and the fundamental operations
OF arithmetic, as applied 10 integers.
common and decimal fractions. denOm-
mate numbers and the extraction of the
souare and cube roots. There is no fee
for the use Of tools, materials or books
for children OF citizens OF Baltimore,
but for nonresident children there is a
Zee OF $3.50 per quarter in advance.
One hour a day Is given TO drawing, one
and a half hours 10 shop work, and
three hours TO mental study:
The general course OF study embraces:
1. A course in English. German aud French
language and literature; composition social
science and history.
3. \ course ia science aud applied mathemat-
ics. including. geology. physics. chemistry.
physiology. meu>uration bookkeeping and en-
cheering.
& nOur>e In pure mathematics. including
arithmetic algebra. geometry and rigonometry
4 A course I'm free hand architectural aud
meehaniesl drawings designing and penman'
ship.
d 4 course ,f tool Instruction. including car
pentry. wood carving. Rood lgrpipg. pattern
making moulding. soldering bmtlng, wise ana
machine shop work. printing. care and manage
ment of steam engines and boilers. ana military
drill.
rTeh.-. ,-arf,rs branches nre lul-di l.