The record-union., 1891-12-01
PHYSICAL CULTURE.
1t VIII Be introduced Into the Public
Schools Soon.
German Turner's Ask the Board OF
Education to Try their Plan
The Swedish System.

was one of the chief topics discussed by
the City Board of Education at its regu-
Lar meeting last night.
While no definite action was taken the
directors all agreed that physical culture
would be desirable addition to the cur
riculum, and that it will eventually be
adopted in the schools.
The board is at present experimenting
with the Swedish system, of which so
much was said and written recently, and
last evening the Sacramento Turn Verein
presented a communication requesting
that the German system be also tried.
There was also a delegation from the
Verein present, several Of whom adj
dressed the board.
WHY IT SHOULD BE.
The communication presented by the
Turner's read as follows:
The Sacramento Turn-N erein hereby
respectfully request that regular gym
nastic exercises be made a part OF the
curriculum Of our public schools. We
refrain from enumerating at length the
arguments in favor of thorough physical
training, the necessity of which is now
generally conceded by intelligent men
and women. In our limited space it is
not possible TO give even brief outline
of the most important points that should
be considered where the people feel the
necessity of balancing, by a system Of
physical culture, the great mental exer-
Gion which the schools of to-day demand
of our youth. We are convinced there
can beno education worthy the name with
out a harmonious development of body
and mind. He who does not see in the
imperfect growth, pale faces, distorted
forms and painful nervousness of the
majority of our girls and boys, enough to
M n al tn
physical tone, would not be aroused by
words.
''You frequently hear it remarked that
children need no scientific muscle
culture. Give them,' it is said, the un-
restrained use of the grove, the field, the
yard, the street, with the various ap-
paratus for games and sports, and they
can well dispense with the scientific
gymnasium This is a great mistake.
An education left to chance could not re-
suit in that symmetry which is the high
est form of all true development. Is the
body a single organ, which with
exercise, is sure to grow in the right way?
On the contrary, it is an exceedingly
complicated machine, the
SYMMETRICAL DEVELOPMENT
Of which requires systematic training
It is maintained by some teachers that
there is no time for bodily exercise dur
ing school hours. To these we viii quote
Won Nussbaum Of Munich, sustained by
the renowned Professor Thomas of New
York, who has done so much for the pro-
motion of physical culture, words which
are worthy of being inscribed in letters of
gold over the doorway Of every school
house. He says: L have the firm con-
Yiction that the future will teach that if
the health of the child is to be preserved
physical exercise continued for hours
must alternate with brain work. | am
also just as firmly convinced that if the
body is strengthened more and the men
tai strain is not kept up for as many
hours as is now the case, learning will be
much easier. Everyone knows. or
should know, that continuous and me-
thodical exercise strengthens the mus
cles, sharpens the senses and subjects the
limbs TO the will; that it expands the
lungs and promotes espiration-this
most important function of the body. 1t
hardens the skin against the attacks of
changing temperature and enhances the
ability to resist exterior influences of a
hurtful nature; indeed, all the functions
of the body are improved thereby You
may ask how regular gymnastic eXer-
cises may be introduced into our schools
with most advantage. We do not desire
TO interfere with your present arrange
ments, but we do feel convinced that a
fair comparison of our system of teaching
physical development viii prove far su-
ONE PRACTICAL INSTRUCTOR.
1.-THE most perfect arrangement is to
engage for every school a teacher of
gymnastics who has made the study of
this branch of education a speciality, and
who combines practical experience and
efficiency with general culture and thor
ough scientific knowledge of the subject.
But well knowing it would be at present
impossible to get an appropriation large
enough to employ sufficient number Of
experts for all the schools, even if so
many experienced teachers could be
found, which is doubtful, we would rec
ommend another system, in use in the
public schools of Cleveland, O.; Daven-
port, Ia; Denver, Col; YanktOn, S. D.;
Butler, Ia; Cairo, Ill; Louisville, KY;
Slater, Ia; Keokuk, Ia; Marshalltown,
La; Clear Lake, Ia; Holyoke, Mass;
Fort Scott, Kas.; Harrisonville, Mo-;
Omaha, Neb.; st. Louis, Mo-; Kansas
City, Mo; Pittsburg, Pa; Chicago; New
Iork; Oakland, Los Angeles, Cal. Plan
of instructions: First-The Board of
Education shall appoint Superintend-
ent of Physical Culture, who gives direct
instructions to teachers and to leaders
scholars appointed by the teachers. Sec
ond-Teachers are divided for physical
instructions into four sections: q. teach
ers of first and second grades constitute
the first section; b. those of the third and
fourth grades the second section; c. those
of the fifth and sixth grades the third sec
tion; d. those of the seventh, eighth and
ninth grades the fourth section. Third
All sections meet together twice every
month, when
TEACHERS WILL BE DRILLED
By the Superintendent. Fourth = The
leaders Ia boy and girl from each room,
excepting the first and second grades)
meet every Saturday to receive instruc-
ton from the Superintendent. Fifth-In
the daily lessons these leaders perform
the exercises before the scholars of their
respective rooms, the teacher, however,
commanding them. Sixth-The Super
intendent of Physical Culture visits all
schools as often as possible, supervising
the instructions. Seventh-It is the duty
of the superintendent TO report TO the
Board of Education at proper intervals
concerning the standing of the branch Of
education under his supervision.
'tThese are the rudiments of the meth
cd by which physical culture may be
introduced in our schools successfully.
If your honorable body desires TO give
this method a trial, we place our in
structor, A. Binse, for two or three
months gratis at your disposition. Gen
tlemen, the cause of education in this
city Is in your able and efficient hands,
TO you belong both the honor and re-
sponsibility. Deliberate carefully, and
grant our request, which is supported by
great many Of our fellow citizens.p
PRESENT ARRANGEMENTS.
Director Davis suggested that the mat
ter be referred to the Committee on
Course of Study. But a vote was not
taken right away as the other directors
and the Turner delegation wanted to
talk
Mr.. Sherburn wanted TO know what
effect the adoption of a system, as recon-
Inended, would have on the experiment