The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-11-08
EDUCATIONAL EXHI BITS.

While the question of Montana's edu
cational exhibit at the Worbl's fair ha:
not progressed beyond the appointment
of committee stage, the Roman Catholics
Of Chicago are up and doing. No rea.
sonable man doubts for a moment thai
the educational interests of this state
are IN competent hands. and that the
results Of their labors will be both in
structive and attractive. But the
Chicago representatives have entered
upon their duties with such energy and
determination to succeed hat it may be
we'll for us to pass briefly in review the
methods they propose to adopt. Natur-
ally, the Chicago churchmen are actu-
ated by interested motives, but from
their own point Of view they are inter
ested motives Of the highest kind. They
are prepared, it would seem, to pick up
the gauntlet that is not seldom thrown
down nowadays, and to refute the re-
peated charge that education under
their administration is wanting in many
of the features absolutely essential to
the American citizen Of the future.
Without entering into a discussion of
the merits of secular education, it is
sufficient for our present purpose to
indicate the nature of their educational
intentions.
The exhibit, then, will be thoroughly
representative, not only of kindergarten,
primary and grammar schools, acade
niles, high schools and colleges, but also
OF industrial, manual training and re-
formatory institutions, as we'll as of
orphanages and Institutes for the deaf
and dumb. From kindergartens will
come specimens Of the work of tiny
hands, weaving, sewing and paper fold
ing, together with the ingenious con-
trivances used to develop the infant
mind. Everything that is capable of
graphic representation will be contribu-
ted by primary and grammar schools.
Prominent among their exhibits will be
written exercises, map drawing from
copy and from memory both, wal maps,
army routes, pencil sketches. exercises
in business and fancy ~penmanship, along
with specimens Of typewriting and short
hand. The academies and colleges will
show a still higher class Of literary
effort. We are promised sonnets, poems
and songs, letters, essays and debates,
discussions on scientific, moral and his
torical subjects. Higher mathematics
will not be neglected, and special atten-
ton is to be paid to sketching, drafting
and drawing. From the industrial and
kindred departments there will be an
attractive exhibit Of youthful labor in
shoemaking and printing, carving,
tailoring and lace work, plain and orna-
mental sewing, embroidery, painting,
decoration and waxwork. 10 all this
we must add a special musical exhibit,
showing exercises in note writing, thor
ough base, original composition and
arrangements. Painting and decoration
Will be represented by artistic designs,
pen, charcoal and crayon work illustra-
tons, oils and water colors. An elabor-
ate series of Photographic views will
represent the surroundings and accom-
%panin1ents Of everyday school work.
School and academic journals and
papers will occupy a prominent place in
the exhibit
Such is a fairly complete outline OF
the educational aspirations Of the
Chicago exhibitors. There is much in
1t that is not only valuable but suggest
i've, and Il Montana committee may
lind in it some profitable hints for their
own action.