New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-07-26
EARLY CIVIC EDUCATION.
A BOOK WHICH 1T is SOUGHT TO INTRODUCE
INTO THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

A BOOK WHICH 1T is SOUGHT TO INTRODUCE
INTO THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Another study for the pupils OF the New-York
public schools proposed at the last meeting OF
the Board Of Education. A communication sent by
the Patriotic League was read. in which an oner
made 10 supply textbook entitled A Oiu-
zen's Catechism' for use in the schools
Favorable opinions regarding the catechism were
expressed by several members Of the Board, ana
the subject was referred TO the Committee on IN
struction which 1t Is expected Will report VINE" mo
Board meets again in the fall
The catechism as announced In its preface Is IN
tended for men. women and children, even those IN
the kindergarten. OF the 80 questions ana an
swers which It contains, the first is What is the
fundamental principle and ideal OF American insti-
tutions?" The answer follows In these terms for
IN. baneht Of the kindergarten, as we'll as the
more mature mind: THAT good character helpful
kindness to all creatures and civic intelligence
are the basis Of true citizenship.
Criticism is offered by practical teachers that
such questions and answers not simple enough
for elementary training. but IT is also contended
that an early start should be made in intoxicating
civic knowledge.
The eleventh question reads: What does the
word Government mean" and the answer explains
II in this manner: Government comes from
Latin word meaning TO steer or pilot a ship Gov
eminent is the process Of steering the Ship OF State
by making interpreting and executing the laws
The men who do this work sometimes called
the Government
Those who are opposed 10 the addition OF this
catechis TO the list OF studies declare that chill
dren cannot understand the significance OF such
figure OF speech as the one which refers 10 the
Shin of State" While clear 70 an adult mind. u
is doubted that the pupil Of the kindergarten can
grasp the meaning Of such a phrase. which. when
not comprehended In It's hguratve sense, is likely
to convey 10 the young Idea a vision OF men WORK
ing boat.
About halfway in the book the question IL asked:
his Government The answer is Loyalty" The
next question promptly calls for definition OF the
preceding answer. suggesting that the pupil ma?
need to he informed what he has been taking
about What is loyalty is asked. Loyalty,
SAYS the answer us faithful and hearty service IN
what concerns the public good
The teachers who not in favor OF the adop-
ton Of this textbook present az one Objection the
proba by that boys and girls VIII commit me
words TO memory and recite them parrot-lke'
without any comprehension or thelr neahlns'
The preparaton Of this catechism. the compierss
saw was a delicate and difficult work, In view OF
The effort 10 present the subject simply and IN
few words without seeming TO propagate any spe-
cia ideas other than the principles OF the IeoIara-
ZION OF Independence and the Constitution OF the
United States.
The catechism Is accompanied by recornmenda-
.on 10 teachers that object lessons should he given
I'm the schools in the performance OF the pupnc
duties OF citizenship, by frequently hodlhg prlhaiy
semblies The book Is embelshed with lIustrh-
lions Of the United States Capitol ana other ieit-
,uras NJ American Government. The work was orig
inailv nrepa red by Charles F. Dole at the sugges-
ton Of exMayor Abram Hewitt the cTmPier p,r
ing In consultation with Ahure" ~ "'i''' 49,
and