The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-01-17
ABOUT THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS,
Superintendent Browns Lee
ture Last Night.
He Shows the Great Lack Of Facili-
ties in This City.
A Sketch of the DEVELOPMENT of Public
Institutions Cievslsnd's Fine
systsm-Whst 10 Needed
Here.

Last evening at the Presbyterian
church, corner of Second and Broad
way, most interesting discourse on
our public schools was given. This
WAS the third entertainment by the
Broadway club. and the speaker was the
superintendent OF city schools, Leroy
D. Brown. A rapid sketch was given of
education in ancient times, beginning
in India, thence to Egypt, the learning
carried by the Israelites from that
country to Palestine; the rise OF educa-
ton among the Greeks; the attention
given by that people to the develop
ment OF the body as well as the mind i;
the spread Of education from Greece to
Western Europe; the influence Of
Greek teaching upon the Roman mind
and how that great people spread the
light OF knowledge and established law
and order over the countries pene trate d
by their armies.
The influence of Charlemagne was
shown, and that mis- greatest glory was
the care he gave to the encouraged emit
of education. From Ireland, England
and Germany he invited the best schol-
ars and ablest teachers then known in
Europe, and in his capital city and near
his palace provided halls for them to
teach, and encouraged young men from
all parts OF his great empire to attend.
The influence upon education Of Lu
Their, Melancthon and other reformers
was explained, and also the great edu-
cational work OF the Jeeuite.
The German school system is largely
due TO reforms introdu, sd by Frederick
the Great, and all the strong features of
the syetem came logically from the sug-
gestions of that ruler
While the schools in California, and
especially in this city, ere doing grand
work, yet there lie room for improve
ment. The speaker said that one of the
weakest spots in our school system is
the constant change in trustees.
These boards are elected for two years !;
when a new set Of trustees go into Of
fee, during the first year the teachers
are in constant anxiety to know what
their new masters will do; during the
second year the anxiety of the teachers
is not less great to know what the next
board will do. Such constant care as
this must injuriously affect the teachers
and render them less efficient in the
discharge OF their all-important work.
The city OF Cleveland, O., is conceded by
educators to have a school system not
second to any in the United States, if,
indeed, 1t be not the best.
That city has a superintendent who
is paid q salary of $4,000 a year. To
him is given authority to select and EN-.
ploy teachers for all the schools and for
every grade. The most rigid scrutiny
is made into the character and capacity
of every teacher, and, as consequence,
Cleveland is attracting the best teach
ers in the country.
The retirement of worn out teachers
is one OF the problems that must bs
met. MIR. Brown favors the establish.
ment OF pension fund, by retaining a
part of the earnings Of teachers and in.
vesting the money for pension fund.
This to be done by the state.
At present this city is in need OF more
school room than is now afforded. At
least 1000 children are restricted to half
day attendance. These children are de-
prived OF the education they have a
right to expect, and by this deprivation
the state is being injured by stunning
the mental growth of those who in their
turn will have influence on all public
and social affairs.
On the conclusion of the address ex-
Governor J. j. Gosper, who had intro
duced the speaker. urged upon the audi
ence to do all in their power to secure
the needed school room; he also made
an earnest plea for the preservation OF
the schools and school funds from sec
tartan influence.