New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-05-17

exercises will be put into operation throughout the
school system brief period, and at compare
lively little expense to the city
Mr. snyde.. the Superintendent Of School Build
ings, is now preparing to put in complete gym
nasium apparatus in many Of the schools now un
equipped with facilities for physical training AL
though in the opinion OF the Board Of Education
systematic physical instruction will eventually come
10 be considered most important part OF the public
school curriculum. entirely separate from the mental
training of the pupils, and TO be taught with that
idea In mind. yet Il is not intended in any way
20 develop athletes or 10 allow this idea to find
q place in the minds Of either the pupils or their
teachers. This is the principal danger 10 be guarded
against In introducing the system. Already some
sver-ambltious pupils with the aid Of their teachers
IN schools where the training has been conducted.
have planned for athletic contests between the DIFF
ferent classes, but the members of the Board OF
Education who have been most earnest in advo-
eating the system OF physical instruction have
frowned upon any such attempts and have stamped
this ou.growth Of the system with their disap-
prevail
TOO YOUNG FOR ATHLETIC CONTESTS
The pupils in our public schools" said Com
missioner Charles Buckley Hubbel to a Tribune
reporter ARE too young to train for athletic con-
tests of any kind. and besides. any such attempt
10 pervert the idea with which the system
introduced would be fraught with danger to those
participating in such contests. In the first place
II would take too much time from the pursuit OF
the regular studies which, Of course. are OF primary
importance: in the second place. It would subject
the contestants to a dangerous overexertion which
the youth of the pupils does not permit Of and.
lastly IL would tend to defeat the very purpose
of physical instruction in the schools which aims
at an ail-around physical development and not at
manufacturing a Splinter a heavy weight litter.
There are many children in our schools who. II
not actually deformed. have many physical defects.
which could be easily remedled by careful and
cautious training with suitable apparatus under the
eye OF a competent instructor. and this is what we
aim accomplish In time. 1t is OF the utmost i'm
portance to develop in schools children having
healthy bodies as well well-traned minds. and
this is particularly so In large city where many
OF the children live in crowded tenements and have
little opportunity for proper exercise outside
Of the school"
One of the first regularly equipped gymnasiums
was put in Grammar School No. g. located in the
centre OF the famous Mulberry Bend OF which
Hugh p. O'Neil is the principal. The gymnasium
was equipped under the direction of Mr.. Snyder.
and q special teacher. Andrew L. Barrett.
gagged to give instruction The room is about 90x60
feet has skyights overhead and Is well ventilated.
The pupils receive instruction by classes in the
gymnasium IN calisthencs. and the exercises are
continued every day in the classrooms. More than
terty different varieties Of exercises are provided
Cor the children that there is no danger Of mo-
eosony. In the gymnasium they have special