The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1896-04-01

Mr.. EDITOR: l read in your last is
sue the First, Third, and Fourth Division
OF an article entitled, ''The Most Import
ant Need with great interest, after the
persual of the Second Division, inferred
that the 1WriieI" had not been mem
her of cur schools for, at least, the last
five or len years.
1t is IN easy matter for person to
bring before the public a collection OF
statements, but very difficult one, with
out sufficient proof, to make the public
believe them. In this case the proof had
been omitted. We are told by the ''Writ-
err that 'sThe curriculum of studies is
absurd In many respects" what respects
we are not told) ''and results in turning
out scholars who know very little Glow
little y sci a great many things and not
much of any thing"
Furthermore we are told that at is
matter of common comment ITO the au-
thor of previous article only that they
(the graduates) are poor In orthography,
imperfcc! in geography and badly ground
ed in the simpler rules of arithmetic while
studying the higher branches. The
Writer has again forgotten to make him
self understood He tells us not, wheth-
or this low standard, of which he speaks
is due to the negligence on the part OF
the scholar or on the part of the teacher,
but leaves the reader to infer that 1t is
caused by the teachers inefflciency. Ii
the public at large have so interpreted it
they could not make more incorrect
version. After four years continual ex-
perence under the teacher OF photography
and geography of our High School de
partment, and acquaintance with some of
the best instructors of our state and their
methods, can the better appreciate the
excellence of the methods used in that
department. Excellence is not always
based upon Normal certificates.
In reference to arithmetic, allow quo
tation from conversation with one OF
the Professors of mathematics connected
with the N. J. Normal School. "The
students from the "L'ville High School l.
find are well up in arithmetic Must l
apoligise to the public for citing the above
authority in preference to our unknown
writera Time permits me not, TO dwell
longer on the above though inclination
urges me forward, but my attention is
again attracted by another wild statement;
Here il Is. ga lot of useless studies pre-
vents thorough mastery of the more i'm
portant branches" AT once we think,
Which are the useless ones and which arc
the more important ones, and we3might
still be thinking of the same for all the
clue the author Of "The Most Important
Need" gives US. am one OF those that
is still thinking but have dismissed his
points, rather his statements, from my
thoughts, and my mind dwells on what
the "Writers" definition of Education is 2
Here is my preference. Education is the
development of the whole man moral
ly, mentally and physically. If this is
the correct idea aud earnestly believe it
is; What is it that is being taught in our
public schools that has not, for its object
at least one OF the above2
1t gives me great pleasure 10 publicly
express my thanks for his article, taking
exception to the End Division, for the
plain and vivid manner in which he has
brought before the public "Fhe Most I'm
portant Needs of Our Times,' and /
heartily echo his evident wish that 1T
may bring forth good fruit in its seas on"
RIPE FRUIT. y
1. Beer Saloon opposite the First Ward
Primary School closed, (and kept closed)
Q. Men for trustees who have an Unborn
love and desire for public instruction.
8. Parents who recognize the respon-
sbility that God has entrusted to their
care the welfare of their children, both
now and hereafter.
4. Trustees who leave politics out Of
education.
8. Proper graded schools.
@. A High School building which has
been approved for its sanitary arrange
ments and lighting and ventilating ap-
paratus. "a GRADUATE"