The record-union., 1894-03-13
"THE ABANDONMENT OF A
STUDY,'s

Committees of 'German-speaking citi-
zens" of Sacramento in Yesterdays REC
oRD-UNIoN entered a protest against the
abandonment of the study of German in
high school. They take issue with the
RECoRD-UNIoN and think it was misin-
formed as to the sentiments of the Ger
man-speaking' population. Possibly.
In the outset let our "German-speak-
ing" friends understand the RECORD
UNION. It's position is taken not that it
regards citizens of German birth less, but
that it more esteems American institu-
tions; not that it does not accord Ser
man-speaking" citizens all credit for all
dues, but that it holds American citizen
ship to be the highest title for an Ameri-
can.
The RECORD UNION objects to clannish-
tends to cut Americanism into divisions
known by nationalities. The teaching
of German in the elementary schools
does have this tendency, and hence
we think it ill-advissd as a study
in the rudimentary grades. The very
fact that so many of our citizens of Ger
man descent rally about this study as if
they were appointed its special guardians
because of nationality, is evidence of the
soundness of our position against clan
nishness.
Our 'German-speaking'' correspond
ents say that the 'German-speaking" cit
liens of Sacramento are almost unani-
nous in favor of the continuance of the
study-but observe, there is no reference
whatever to the wishes of the citizens of
Sacramento as unclassified. When it
comes to consulting the people, this be-
ing Government by the people, we OBJ
ject to any classification by nationality;
it is not what Irish-Americans, German
Americans, French-Americans or Span
ish-Americans want, but what is the will
of the whole people, and we assert that
the viii of this people is Overwhelmingly
opposed to continuing the teaching of
any language in the schools below the
high school grade.
Our correspondents declare that a
quarter Of a century ago the teach
ing of German was voted for by their
people, therefore it is doubtful if it can
now be abandoned. This is simply ab-
surd, as is also the statement that we
levy special tax to pay the German
teacher. Our German friends do their
intelligence injustice in presenting such
arguments. There was no such vote as
they allege, and there is no such tax.
The action of the Board of Education in
abandoning the study was not "hasty"
The proposition to abandon was made,
we are informed, at one session Of the
board and laid over until next meeting
for the very purpose of hearing objections
and none were advanced. The teacher
of German himself, admittedly compe-
tent, certainly conscientious man and
a gentleman, stated to the board that the
results of the teaching were not satis-
factory under the system, because the
lessons were so far apart, but two in a
week.
Economy was not pleaded as a reason
for the abandonment of the study-cer-
tainly not that argument actuated the
REooRD-UNIoN in its opposition to this
special and fugitive teaching of non
essential. But it is argued that German
is widely spoken in Europe and in Amer
lea also, and that knowledge of it equips
a young man better for business or to
obtain situation in California.
Austrians, Germans, Swiss and Hun
garians are named as speaking
German, but We submit that the masses
of these distinctive countries do not
understand the tongue alike. Their
patois and dialects would be Greek to the
German-taught pupil in Sacramento
schools
But equipment for position is not the
chief end of the common school system.
It ia like no other system; its pur-