Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1895-08-16
EACHERs AND TEXT BOOKS

TEACHERS AND TEXT BOOKS.
10 the current number of the Forum, Dr..
j W. Rice discusses the relations of teach
ers and text books from an original point OF
view. Dr. Rice believes that the funda
mental purpose of the teacher should be
first, 10 develop the power 10 observe, to
reason, and TO do and TO aid the child In
storing ia his mYd fund of useful know
ledge. Other factors he regards rs merely
incidental EnthVsiasm without method
may be relied upon ITO stitie the growth Of
our schools at an early age, and the prnci
pie which orders the Studying and recitlng
by rote from the books is, Dr. Rice con.
tends, clearly erroneous.
This conclusion, If followed to the end
would revolutionize the system prevailing
10 many of our schools in which, il is prob
able the teachers scarcely realize that their
obvious relation to the publ jc as an inter.
prefer of the recitation is nullified by the
system of instruction in vogue. 1t is in.
deed to be questioned whether the average
teacher employing the "parrot system OF
teaching has ever reflected that he or she
holds the relation of mental physician TO
the pupil. The psychological attribute of
the lesson to be conveyed, or the psyche
logical attitude Of the mind that is TO receive
1t, does not concern the gardeners of the
mind in the stersotyped and perfunctory
performances of their duties. II certainly
goes without saying that the average stu
dent in our higher schools retains perma'
nently by modicum of what he has COM
mitted TO memory at school. A principle
that would emphasize thought rather than
memory may well appeal to the teacher
seeking the attainment of the ideal posi-
bilties Of his craft.
The principle of "thought study" as OPP
posed to the storing of the mind with a
mass of cut and-dred facts, will surely find
favor with progressive teachers. The scien
tiic use of text books rather than the me-
chanical absorption of their matter may
well be held as the fundamental basis Of the
ethics of progressive teaching.
METHODS OF CAPITAL PUNISH
MENT
Although there is r marked difference of
opinion among criminologists and Others
regarding the deterrent effects OF capital
punishment, II is agreed that since the sim
pie removal from society Of the condemned
person is the only object aimed at by the
law, the most humane method of inflictng
the death penalty should be used just
what method would be deserving OF such
distinction is question that has and is en-
gaging the attention of humanltarisns
New York adopted electrocution, but il is
claimed by some that this method has not
worked satisfactorily. Other States seem
backward in adopting electricity as means
Of executing the death sentence until New
York demonstrates It's complete success.
Meanwhile, we read that Prot. Thomas
Of Ohio State University, has been giving
the general subject his attention, and has
arrived at the conclusion that carbonic acid
gas is the best agent for destroying the life
Of criminals. Under its influence, he claims
the sentenced one would sleep his life peace
fully away, absolutely without physical OF
mental agony The Professor has in mind
cell so arranged that the gas could be in
troduced from the place Of Its generation
near by and where the criminal could b
transferred without any intimation of wha
was tooccur. While he was asleep yalv'
in apipe could be turned and the gas al
lowed to enter the apartment, with the re
suit that death would soon ehsue painlessl,
and without bis knowledge.
This is a CHASTITY question TO consider
still II Is one which, from the attention it |
receiving, indicates that the cause of hu
manity is making strides forward.
The State of Missouri, If we may judg
by the recent action of the Democrats Their,
Is in fair way to be fixed in Republica
ascendency for the present The free 81
yerites have taken control Of the Demo
cratic party, and this must hopelessly
vide that organization. The Republican
had been making heavy gains in the Sial
stor some time, and last year they carried i
There are thousands of Democrats who cat
mot be brought TO support the party tick,
on free silver basis. To set up such
ticket Is simply to give it over into Republ
can hands. This is the most foolish act 1
Democratic politics of the present year, an
L is one which sacrifices for the Dem
cratic party highly important State of Il
Union.