Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1895-02-08
VRRT1oAI PENMlNsHIP.
Don waahInrton Post.


From Washington Post.
TO the casual observer there appears
to be little Importance in the moves
ment TO substitute vertical for slant
writing. But to the Board OF Super
visors for the Boston public schools it
PRESENTS itself as a matter Of Welghty
import. In a recent report this Board
exhaustively discusses the subject Of
penmanship in the public schools.
They say that the question Of vertical
versus slant writing has been under
investigation and discussed for about
three decades; that it has been from
the first not a question Of taste, but OF
hygiene; that it grew out OF inquiries
into the causes Of physical defects
among school children ia various
European countries, The report goes
on to state, in effect, that vertical
handwriting was decided to be REM
edy for seine Of the defects; thatithas1
the endorsements OF various interna-
tional hygienic congresses, and that it
is rapidly supplanting slant uritiuG al
over Europe. The physical defects
referred 70 are said to have been ag-
grayated by ill-adapted desks and the
Unnatural and wearying positions
which the children were required to
assume. The Supervisors are opposed
to the use Of states in the primary
grades Of the public schools.
It's not only hygenic, but an art
improvement, according to the Boston
Board, to do away with slant writing.
They dnd that the vertical writing of
experts and of school children of all
ages is more legible than the slant,
and this fact commends it to business
men as well as to printers. The re-
port says;
1t is d generally admitted fact that
whenever excellence in slant writing
has been obtained it has been at a
sacrifice Of comfort on the part Of the
pupils, and Of time and strength on
the part Of the teachers. The weight
'os evidence seems to show that good
vertical writing can be obtained at
much less cost. In the primary schools
the children seem inclined to write
round, upright hand, and are with
difficulty forced into the angular,
slanting style. To develop and per
feet this natural hand has been found
in practice 10 be easier than tochange
it; SO much easier that competent
judges have expressed the opinion
that with vertical writing there need
be no special instructor in penmanship
after the ffth or sixth year in school.
Supervisors make these recommen-
dations:
That vertical penmanship be intro
duced at once into a certain number
Of schools designated for the purpose,
and that it be permitted in all the
schools.
That all pupils, in writing, face the
desk so that line joining the shoul-
ders shall be parallel with the front
edge of the desk.
That all paper used ia teaching writ
ing be ruled with a single line, as for
Ordinary Correspondence.
That the use Of pen and ink be re-
quired in tue first class in primary
schools and permitted in the second
class.
That in all schools the use OF copy
books be gradually discontinued above
the fourth class, and all written exer-
cises be considered exercises in PEN
manship.
Many Improvements in methods of
public instruction have originated in
Boston, and this movement may be
another step in the same direction.
The Board has undoubtedly made an
honest and thorough investigation of
the question OF penmanship, and its
findings will attract the attention Of
educators Throughout the country