The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-06-16

MONTANA SCHOOLS.
The first annual report by the super
intendent of public instruction for the
state OF Montana comes to hand IN time
for the opening Of the Helena summer
school. Its facts and figures, however,
do not profess 10 extend beyond the
month Of August, 1890, and are conse-
q~uently somewhat stale. Mr.. Cannon is
careful to point out that the blame does
not rest upon his shoulders. The re-
turns from Madison county, it would
seem, should have been on file in his
office on OF before the first day OF last
December. AS matter Of fact, he com
plains that they were not completed
until sixty days after date. No public
officer can be expected to keep up with
the details of his duties If he is to be
hampered by careless subordinates. We
had imagined there was some kind OF
penalty for remissness in the forwarding
of school statistics. If there is one, Mr..
Cannon should, in his own interest, see
to it that it is enforced; if not, the next
legislature might wisely bestow their at
tention on the matter. 1t calls for i'm
provement.
The report seems to give a fairly ex-
haustive summary Of public school mat
ters throughout the state. There is
within it's pages a great deal Of interest
ing reading, not only for the teaching
profession, but for school trustees and
the general public as we'll. On the
whole, the report shows a gratifying
improvement in matters educational.
The people Of Montana have from the
first shown the utmost c~heerfulness in
bearing the burdens necessary for the
education of their children. They are
not going back on their record. Within
the year that MI. Cannon treats Of,
thirty-six school houses have been built,
LII teachers added to the educational
staff and increased appropriations for
school purposes have been made. There
is further matter for congratulation in
the fact that the trained teacher is
gradually supplanting the "instinct"
pedagogue. Teaching is not an art in
vented by heaven as an asylum for the
worlds failures elsewhere. There was
a time when everyone believed himself
or herself competent to teach school or
edit a newspaper. Along-sutfering pub
lie ~rejoices in the explosion of both fal-
lacies. We want the failure notion
scattered to the far ends Of
the earth. Twenty-seven per cent
OF the teachers of Montana to-day
have received a professional training in
normal schools and colleges. Ninety.
seven per cent. would not be too large 6
percentage. And we are going to get it
if school trustees will bear in mind the
object Of their appointment. They are
not selected by their fellow-citizens t.
crafty their own personal or local pre-
JUDGES and interests. That is the mar
row view of the situation that presents
itself TO some school trustees. We wan
the right man or the right woman in thu
right place, and having once got him o
her there, we ought to retain our teach
ers as long as they are effective. Moth.
ing has proved more injurious to thu
status of the teaching profession thai
the constant fear of change to gratif,
the whims or interests Of self-seekinI
trustees.
School attendance improves, but it j
still far below the desirable STANDARD
According to the superintendent's ta
ures, no less than 1919 per cen
of the children of school age ar
running at large. That is not we'll fe
the state or for it's future. Even If
small allowance be made for pupils whoE
labor is absolutely necessary at HON
we have stlll to confront the fact TIL
nearly 80 per cent. of our childre
either through their own folly or IL
criminal carelessness of parents, are ne
lecting n the greatest opportunities
their lifetime. We have a compulsol
law. 1t should be put in action. If
is not in workable shape, let the ne,
legislature amend it, and put an end
this miserable state of affairs. We a
perfectly willing to recognize the impor
ant part that distance from soho
houses plays in a sparsely settled sta
like our own, but a glance at the tabl
of the report proves that in the thin
populated districts the attendance fl
quently shows a decided improveme
over that of others. Mr.. Cannon is
the right to protest most vigorous
against this abuseof state funds, and
hope that his efforts will result in t
amelioration Of our school attendan
figures.
THE free coinage silver commit
will meet in New York on Thursday