The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-01-21
MANUAL TRAINING SCHOOLS.
Lecture by stephen q. Edwards Last
Night at Bell Street Chapel.

Lecture by stephen q. Edwards Last
Night at Bell street Chapel.
Stephen q. Edwards gave n detailed
discussion last evening az Bell Street
Chapel Of the subject OF manual Train.
ing Schools and their Effect on Industrial
Conditions" lie said in substance:
"Manual training in public schools
was first intro luced about twenty years
ago. | then sought only to instil into
youthful minds the ele reptary princi-
piles OF mechanical arts. Oar education
mas teen too strictly literary and we
have devoted 100 little attention TO the
great principles Of nature. GRADUATES
find themselves helpless. The tradi-
tional methods have overlooked practical
methods. They do not prepare youth
for the stern duties of life. OF late
years we have come 10 recognize the
necessity Of physical training. In man
ual training we have "A union Of the
physical and mental. Lack OF manual
training breeds a paucity of expression.
Little attention has been paid in our
educational system to the art of express
sion. Training Of the hand has been
limited to high art and D~enmahship.
The old educational methods have
been left far behind. The masses must
have a training that will enable them TO
use their hands as well as their heads.
Tie manual training chool seeks to
ami Q intellectual research with practical
work. The scheme of the manual rain
ing course Is to teach shop-practice,
mathe natics aud scientific principles.
Especial attention is paid TO drawing,
projection aud freehand. la the mechan-
icai shop-work the student is given
thorough instruction in all the elements
OF practical machine work. This course
of training develops both the mind and
the judgment.
81 Ia. .D.., .l--I H.
trades and does not undertake TO produce
carpenters. machinists or other artisans.
1t does not aim TO have pupils attain a
high de gree OF skill, but to teach certain
processes which may be used AS y step
ping stone TO a higher degree of skill.
IN boy gains IN elementry knowledge
OF the mechanic arts that will enable him
in "A short time 10 attain skill as a COM
petent workman.
Hand and eye should be cultivated TO
repond To the working IS Of the mind. The
pupiPs powers OF observation are greatly
quickened. His hand is tn trained in
strument OF his mind. The graduate of
our modern system has a contempt for
pursuits. Not SO with the man
graduate. His highest ambitions lie
IN the lines or his study upon gradua-
ton; many of them take up an extended
course In higher technical schools.
The manufactures of this state are al.
'hpob thbiciN HlOUODOllLtu ny lOTtlku |
/. is to take their place that
The Y nth of u land should take up the
MANUAL course. With better educated
the a~ntalonistic problems OF
employers would be greatly modified.
Nm educated skilled workman would do
TO solve the question continually
between employer aud empluye.
n other words, it would raise the indus
rial occupation To the rank of the edu-
aated professions"
Superintendent Of Schools Tarbell fol-
in a short address stating that he
las taken part in the first public manual
raining school in the country, He gave
short statement OF the manual schools
n St. Louis, Chicago, Toledo, st. Paul,
cambridge, Philadelphia and otner cities.
lie stated that IL had been decided
% admit girls to the privileges of the
manual training school, If they so de-
ired. He arguei that there will be no
of schools, the rich. destined for
professional career, TO the literary
and the poor 10 the school that
the head and hand for an indus
occupation.
Villa ii. Grant, principal Of the
training school, spoke a few words
n regard To the school. He said that
people in the city do not know
such a school exists. The school is
Gill In an incomplete state, but IL will
tpidly acquire ali the necessary fea-
ures. There are at present 106 members.
ne school proposes To offer "A three-year
curse or one lesson per day for five DAYS
! the week. Attention Will be given to
lathematics. sciences and practical ac-
with the working Of machin-
~, including wood-carving. fling and
ON work, Photography will also be
aud courses are projec ed in cleo :
rical, civil and m~echanicai engineering. ,
Alfrel Stone also made Il few pertinent
emarks touching the question. Short
were also made by others inter-
ted in the subject. !