St. Paul daily globe., 1891-05-17
THE EDUCATION PROBLEM

The GLOBE continues this. morning
its interesting series of contributions
from our business men on the education
question. They themselves have made
a success of their undertakings, and
their opinions about the value of book
learning deserve careful attention.
They seem to think in general that a
common school education, such as is
afforded one going through the full
course provided by our local institu-
tionS, is very desirable equipment for
business career; but while they do not
speak slightingly of what is known as
the higher education, they appear a
little skeptical as to whether it is Oh the
whole worth while for the average boy
or girl.
The truth about this whole education
question is. that the best prizes in life
are gained by people of native strength
of character and mind, and the artifi-
ciai equipment which books and schools
give can never supply natural de
ficiencies in either of these directions
If a young man or woman is strong in
character and mind, it is economical for
him to learn the rudiments of his edu-
cation by the assistance of skilled
teachers, rather than be subjected to
the painful task of spelling them out
for himself. He can do it more quickly
in this way, and the time saved will be
available for positive achievements in
his life's work.
If boy or girl has no exceptional
n ol,
train him for useful citizenship. A man
cannot be useful member of society
unless he can contribute to its wealth
by producing something. Every days
labor which 'bdues nature and con-
verts its res, .es into commodities for
the use and convenience of man adds
to the worlds capital and happiness.
School training, for the average person,
should be directed to this end. That is,
its primary object ought to be to make
good working men and working women
of those who put themselves under it; {;
and, in as far as any system is cacu-
lated to do this, it is worthy of COM
mendatiOn.
To labor intelligently and faithfully
day by day requires at once knowledge
of how to do something, and character
to persevere. Most tasks which come to
us are simple enough, and require only
a short time for their mastery if we are
familiar with the ordinary principles
which run through all things. and have
minds capable of understanding an ex-
planation when tits given. MACHIAyEI-
IL divided men into three classes, those
who understand things without eXplana-
ton, those who understand things when
they are explained to them, and those
who do not understand things under
any circumstances. The first class need
no schooling. The second class need to
be taught that they may understand
more readily, and the third that they
may understand at all.
The comparative merits of educational
methods are very difficult of settlement
because the final result is brought abont
by a great many factors, and one can
never tell which has been the most et-
fective. Men with classical educations
fail in life, but that may OF may not be
the fault of the classics. And men
with classical educations succeed
in life, but this may be in spite
of their opportunities and not be-
cause of them. The only way to test
accurately the value of any system of
early training would be 10 put the same
person through different courses at the
same time of life; and this. of course, is
impossible.
The best that we can do for the in
tellectual side of education is to say
that the mind does grow in power and
vigor under exercise, and that exactuess
of thought and concentration are de-
veloped by serious work over problems
requiring them. The actual informa-
ton which one acquires during his
school years is small. and for most peo-
pie is quickly lost through deficiencies
Of memory and the stress of more en-
crossing things. But even the hardest
learned page which passes away in
discouraging haste does undoubtedly
exercise an influence for good Oh the
student who has toiled over it. 1t
makes the acquisition of the next one
little easier, and gives the mind a
suppleness and receptlyity which fit
it to asSimilate practical matters which
after a while demand its attention.