New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-07-26
VACATION SCHOOLS.

The opening of the socalleG vacation schools
recalls attention to beautiful and benefcent
charity which ought not to be charity ut ALL
but regular function Of the local government
The work is n new one. 1t was begun only
two years ago. AS yet it Is comparatively
small in scope, though its growth has been
marked. In the first year the attendance of
children was less than 1000. Last year 1t was
more than 1000. This year 1t is nearly G.000.
Small as they are, those figures Indicate great
bcncfccncc at the present time, and future pos
sibilties almost incs,imable. The children Of
the poor are taken from their hot unwhOlesOme
homes. and from the no more attractive streets,
into the cool, spacious schoolhouscs, for a few
hours each day. They are chiefly children Of
tender years. and are not taxed with ordinary
textbook lessons. but are subjected to sort
of kindergarten instruction. and to that reason
able discipline Of mind and body which Is one
Of the most important elements of true educa-
ton. Doubtless 1t would be better still for them
if they could all be taken to the country by
The Tribune Fresh All Fund, not merely for
two weeks each. but for the whole summer.
But since this is at present impossible, and
since they must spend the summer or most Of
it in the city, these vacation schools are great
blessing to them.
The possibility Of extending the work Is evil
dent At present scarcely 5000 children attend
daily. But there are tens Of thousands Of others
who might we'll attend. and who would be in
comparably better off, physically. mentally and
morally, In the schoOlhouses than In the streets.
The older and more advanced scholars might
we'll be received, in addition to the very young,
and courses Of instruction suited TO them might
be adopted. These latter should, Of course, be
of a character that would afford agreeable
variety and relief from the studies Of the reg
ular school year; but they would not, there
fore be any less valuable. The schools thus
conducted would be attractive resorts, which
the children would greatly prefer to any other
places generally accessible, and in which they
would find physical comfort pleasant entertain
mcnt and much desirable culture and discipline
of mind and body.
At present this work Is carried on by private
enterprise and at private expense The city
gives merely the use of the buildings. The cost
Of conducting the schools Is not large. only q
few cents day for each child. The charity Is
cordially TO be commended TO the attention of
the phllanthropically disposed. But. like the
kindergarten. 1t Is a work that should not be
left 10 private beneiiccnce The city might well
assume the task. and make these vacation
schools an adjunct TO the regular duties Of the
Board Of Education 1t would thus utilize
buildings which now stand idle and profilcss
1t would doubtless lessen the death rate among
children. Ii would also and ut once lessen the
amount Of Juvenile crime and mlsdemeanor
1t would, in the long run. make the crowded
masses Of the people more intelligent. ndustri-
Gus and law-abdng and thus greatly cOnduce
to better social conditions and to greater ease
and less cost Of government There u no bet