The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-09-08
OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM.
To the Editor Of the Eagle.

Having carefully read an article on the
| above subject lately printed in the Mirror,
| ask the privilege of replying briefly to
| the principal points in the arraignmenu Of
| the public school system.
There are many wise thoughts expressed
in beautiful language, bat 1t seems to
contain more OF error that of truth.
The old old story is repeated that we are
vastly behind Germany and France in our
school system, when every we'll informed
educator knows that schools must be
adapted to the peoples needs and that
with all their imperfections American
schools are adapted to America and are
doing better work than any German or
French system could 10 IL brought IN
changed to America.
Having recently studied little of these
foreign schools in their own countries,
do not speak wholly at random.
Our population Is shifting aud badly
mixed one so it is difficuit TO say what in-
dustriai branches could be probably
taught.
Many pupils in the east will enter ma
chine shops, but here in the west that
avenue of earning livelihood is indeed
narrow one.
In her magnificent Agricultural College
Kansas offers the farmer boy an education
fitted 20 his needs, and i5 is a cause of
pleasure that | have helped several pupils
TO decide on such course of study
In the agricultural school the Hot
tomalla" man might have fitted himself
TO be an intelligent farmer or mechanic
and his wife, so feeliugy described by the
young Hypatian, might have learned the
nobie-way, divine arts, of good house,
keeping and sewing.
l myself ara an advocate of more indus
-. II .s....s
ton in one of the best schools OF the
United States, as we'll rs the fruit of it at
the Paris Exposition of 1889, but l do not
think that either the public demands, or
public need, warrants its introduction
into all the branches of our public schools
to the extent demanded by tue article.
Certain Boston schools have regular
courses in wood working; using the jack
knife as the principle tool.
In communities SO near the region of
wooden nutmegs there must be call for
this training, but in Wichita where the
great ma joriJy of students enter agricul-
tural or mercantile persuits 10 not think
the same need exists.
The constant changes and developments
of our. civilization make rapid change in
the demands on the public school and
that system which tries to keep up with
all must fail.
Schools Of electrical engineering are
rapidly becoming necessity but the pub
lie cannot undertake TO make electrical
experts of ali pupils.
Certain foundation principles alone fall
within the scope of the public schools.
a few years ago an electrical expert was
supposed to know IL all.
Today there are many branches Of the
subject and each contains much more
than the entire science of ten years ago.
This is an age Of ''especialists" and the
hi e-oI.
The system is blamed for not making
good citizens and some illustrations are
given. The article states that our present
system imposes on all who are not
geniuses the necessity of being villains.
This is strange statement for this
enlightened age.
1t has not been my experience that
pupils who master the ordinary public
school course are so STEPPED IN conceit and
SO completely robbed Of all manhood or
womauhood as to enter the ranks of viii
lians.
Doubtless thousands of embryo villains
have been driven through a course OF
school work that only retarded their vii /
lainy few years.
Let US give thanks that the public |
schools even retard, for IN that there is |
hope.
The 'villain' may reform, or ne may |
die young.
Ii he resists the civilizing effect of edu- |
cation do not blame education.
| would certainly take many boys from |
the school and put them into Industrial |
pursuits, but they are special casee and |
need special treatment
| can give several illustrations of this in |
my Kansas experience.
Space forbIds noticing certain palpable |
errors in statistics. winding up with the /
usual reference TO Rome.
Tie article states that the average pupil |
is lifted above his environments
This was said of teaching the |
negro slave to read-it was said OF extend
ing the public school privileges among che \
English tactory ehildFeD-it Is said of /
every effort to create new and nobier en-
virouments instead of living in perpetual /
slavery to the old.
have been in Wichita when to teach &C
Coruinx to environments" would imply "A 4
course in the riding of "broncos" with a
course IN the newly revised |
Colts revolver.
In free America we make our environ
ments and | thank GOD that when herded /
cattle on western Kansas plains l had my /
voiu me of history or science along with my I
''slickeFn and six-shooter. and that Victor |
Hugo. Ruskin, Scott, Dickens add Burns 1
inspired me. IN later years. to visit as IA de
vout pilgrim, the ian1s where they lived /
and wrote. with a rail splitter becoming
president and the boys OF bumbiest zen /
shaping our destiny IA legis-
lstive halls it seems abscrd 10 speak Of en- I
IN this connection
| would not criticiSe all IN the article for |
il has much wisdom, bat | protest against
condenlipg a system 50 dear 10 the people /
because IL can not be broad enough TO COW /
er ali the demands Of modern society, nor /
narrow enough 20 enable manufAc. ure OF /
specialists Changes are being made from
q me TO time 10 meet changec conditions 4
and the public schools can only attempS |
the laying Of a SUBSTANTIAL foundation os1
" hIch 10 erect the sop=rstrcctGrs Of after
life.
The successful public school pupil, with /
u md trained TO systematic yDrk will De \
ready 10 eater the Business college or In
dGsiTial school and succeed: or be viii 90 4
GU on The tarm, or Inso tie nacalce shop /
and be VIII succeed there.
He may sometime mix little seieCce
with MS blowing. or quote little poetry
while feeding tie pigs; Be ny recsli Greek 1
Il JholCgy while nsmsnerlnz on tie anvil, !
Oh rest aIs tired oraia ia tie o1fce By ana
Tying tie flower a. tEe wincov.
Burns rose aboye BIS environments, or
rather ennobieG those environments
! would not call our schools ~ hites3 4
or say the t@xes for shoots
we're wasted. / would rather accept tk=
good that - IN them as lie present 1ad9
ment 0: tie educators OF o.le of fhs most
nations on e4EsE> and truss /
that the system keep step with tie march
d progress, being AHIerSc4a ia spIF1- H.
stead OF adapted 10 his demands % ans
other country, With Ils peculiar conaI-
lions.
Meanwhile, educate 20 III the child 20
ris- above is eDElronmsuts-1oy this Is
1roZress-ta8s Is education. Il j. Is
las eveal3g fEozss SGEnmgr trip sAr0nZa |
H. ss.fa-- s.atHz NJ. Araz1css l. r-f- |