New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-08-09
TIE VACATION WASTE.

Some interesting and useful discussions of
veXed questions relating to education appear III
the latest issne Of "The Independent" The at
tention which these problems are exciting IN all
parts of the country and among all classes OF
serious people is being constantly shown in such
thoughtful addresses as those recently made a:
the Cmvocation at Albany and in such articles
as "Tho INDEPENDENT has Just printed They
all point toward a reform which will afford
distnctiyely American system of education
aimed to improve the mental conditions OF
people who tolerate no Inequalities in social
standing or political rights Such system
must soon be developed. The methods Of
mental training employed in Europe may be
all that their admirers claim, but they are not
suited to American purposes. In society
where there is a numerous class of people whose
chief business is to hold together large estates,
to maintain rank and dgnities, and to govern
the common people they are almost ideal.
Having grown up through several centuries in
response 70 the demands of such society, they
have produced institutions of learning in
praise Of which it is scarcely possible to say
too much But conceding all this, it must still
be admitted that they cannot serve the wider,
system to-day is insufficient and weak largely
as the result of following too closely the lines
fixed by the systems of England and Germany.
In considering how to adapt our schools and
the methods pursued in them from first to last
to the requirements of American life it is OF
especial importance to remember that every
American citizen possesses an equal political
function with all the rest, and that this fnc-
ton is sovereign. This implies the necessity
of system of education high in its standards,
thorough in its processes, and readily open to
every youth whatever his plrentage or his
financial resources 1t must also be rapid in
its movement All waste Of time and all re-
dundant labor must be prevented, for when an
American is twenty years old it is high time
for him to be earning his living. In the
century of our National life only one rule i'm
plying caste has grown up, but that one is
rigid, necessary and good. 1t rlegates to the
inconSequential. the frivolous and the con-
temptbe all such persons, whether known rs
| tramps or miOnaires, who do not have daily
occupation. Educators must adapt their work
to tho situation created by this rule. Az q
genera! proposition, and If general therefore
controlling at twenty an American boy must
get TO work.
! This means that it must be possible for the
average boy, the boy who is no more studi0us
or appreciative than he should be, h go IN the
natural course Of progress through all the
grades from the primary school to the univer-
sity. and celebrate the twentieth anniversary Of
! his birth in his senior year. and at the same
time the standards Of education must 90 mp
rather than down. That this can be done there
is no manner OF doubt. The discussions tC
which 1.-THE Independents" contributors have
lent value and scope are presenting many ways
in which more method and harmony can be i'm
parted to the work particularly Of the academies
second-late colleges and universities. This i,
all good so far as it goes, but we are moved
to say that the most important and efficient re-
form Of all has not received from educators any
great consideration. We refer to the vacation
waste. Parents have considered this phase o.
the subject. and we believe they are of one
mind in holding chat theresi no more reason
why young people who are going to schOO
should spend full third Of the year in idle
ness than other young people who are learning
trades or professions. 1t may he that growing
boys and girls require more rest and play thar
their seniors, but they don't require the hal
of what educators compel them to take \
reasonable amount of application five days il
the week throughout the year with short hal
At Christmas and another in August would no
injure the health of any boy or girl who Il
fit TO go to school at all, and it would enable
educators to retain every wise method an'
department OF instruction now pursued. Whei
the teachers of the land are brought to conced'
that they. Like the rest Of US. should DO ful