The morning call., 1892-05-30
TOO MUCH snow.

The CALL has received within the last
few days number IF communications from
parents complaining Of the character of
closing exercises in our public schools.
The gist OF the complaints are, first that
too much time is devoted 10 the prepare
tons for the closing shows; second,
that the shows themselves exercise a
baleful influence on the young mind ;
and third, that they are given without
proper regard for the real usefulness Of
the schools. The purposes OF The public
schools are pretty well defined. Money is
taken from persons who have no children
20 educate children Of other persons on the
ground that the public good demands such
use Of money. But TO justify this arbitrary
appropriation Of money the schools should
be devoted TO studies which are essential
90 good citizenship. Singing and acting
operettas on the stages Of theateTs may be a
useful accomplishment, but il is not essen
tIai to the intelligent performance Of public
duties. i is 2 question II success In one OF
these entertainments is not rather matter
for regret than for cOngratualion. Chill
dTen's heads are easily turned, and young
girl or lad who wins distinction before an
audience is quite likely TO carry away the
conviction that they were net born for the
drudSeTy Of everyday life. To one Of tie
letters before Us parent whose daughter
took a leading part in an OpeTetta bitterly
condemns the school authorities for permit
ting such an exhibition. lie declares that
be would not have permitted bis daughter
20 take part in tie entertainment if he had
known what character it was TO be. Now
The mischief is done. bis daughter thinks
Of nothing but the stage. Being a fair Judge
himself Of the personal qualities necessary
to success on the stage, he is not at all con-
hienJ that his daughter would rise above
the ranks. He concludes: Il have no
prejudice against the stage. Ny only objec-
ton 10 it is that the requirements for the
degree Of success worth having are so exact
ing that only one in hundred possesses
them. There must be good physical health,
more than ordinary capacity for work.
courage not daunted by failure, patience TO
wait bright active and retentive mind, at
least fair personal charms. and moral quail
ties to resist temptation. Many time
departure from recttude seems 10 oTeH the
way to pTeferment, but have never known
enduring success to come in that way"
y parent with these clear views is in
censed that the public school AUTHORITIES
should have sanctioned exercises that direct
the thoughts Of a sixten-yeor-old school
girl TO the stage. Not only were tbs last six
or eight weeks Of The school term thrown
away, but seeds were s0wn that may pro-
duce direful results in the future. The
CALL has often remarked that the public
schools are too much given up 20 show.
Ornamental studies are given too much
prominence. The managers seem 10 forget
that four out Of i've pupils drop out at four
teen or fifteen, and that the course Of study
should really be directed for the benefit Of
the four We are having al sorts Of show
stud es, when MT one pupil in ten in the adj
vanced grammar grades can write letter
Cf twenty lines with a close approach 10
correctness. Tie first thought in their minds
is 10 apologize either for penmanship spell
ing. grammar or the construction Of sen
fences. a good many Of them do not know
enough about geography 10 know that they
cannot 90 to tie Worlds Fair By steamer
Their time in school was taken up by show
studies. which are really valuable only when
thoroughly mastered. The authorities now
are adding operate and dramatic training to
other diversions from proper school course.
We are not surprised that parents protest
and talk OF taking their children from the
public schools; the only source Of surprise
is that more parents have not offered the
only protest within their power.