New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-08-07

shows that the universities are doing most vnl1-
able work in deepening Interest ID SCHOOLS ana
improving teaching methods. President Ellot
has given much help in improving courses Oh
study Dr. Stanley Halls studies OF child Ire
have contributed materially to the teaching sci
ence. and all over the country professors are nj
work through extensive courses vitalzlng pri-
mary teaching and inspiring those who con
duct IT, The Regents in this State receive n
tribute for their good influence. Or. Gilman
secs tendency 10 select fewer teachers OF COM
mon schools from the ranks Of young college
graduates He would not attempt TO change
this. but he argues for filling school boards to
large extent with these graduates, associating
them with parents and older persons to balance
their possible desire for too radical reforms. He
asks that politics be kept absolutely from infiu-
once on the schools and this desire will be
echoed by every person who cares more for the
future of the children than to help some ward
heller build up power among the friends of
ianitors and scrub-women School trustees
should be absolutely untrammelled by political
or ecclesiastical influence, and 1t should be I'M
possible for them to be put in a school by any
such influence, kept there by 1t, or dismissed be-
cause of 1t.
favor He does not recommend that all the
paraphernalla of the kindergarten be generally
used That Is often impossible, and even unde-
srable But the essence Of the Kindergarten Is
the formation Of habits Truth, attention. rever-
ence, obedience, tdness, order. good Fellow
ship and courtesy should be lncucated by proc
esses that give constant pleasure TO the children
Though engaged in university work. DIR. Gll-
man does not forget that the great body Of chill
dren who come from the public schools VIII
not take higher courses, but will plunge at once
into active life. They should be prepared for
this The eye and hand should receive far more
training than is common. Drawing, which eXer
cses both eye and hand. should be taught more
thoroughly But more than this is needed. OBJ
servation Of Nature should be cultivated. Prac-
teal employments should not be forgotten
From the needle to the pencil, from the knife
ito the box Of tools. Is an easy gradatlon, every
where possible. and every young person should
''be carried through at least these stages OF
"handicraft' Look Do Think and Re
member are four lessons that ought to be en-
Joined upon every scholar. every day. through
1.-THE period Of adolescence"
Then there is the question of character. DR..
Gilman regrets that it Is the religious people
who through fear of instruction not absolutely
to their own notion make possible the cry OF
goddess schools" This he holds Is due to I'M
necessary timidlty. Morals should be taught
parts of the Scripture. such as the Psalms and
Gospels, might be studied If only people would
agree about 1t. He suggests that two or three
universities, including the Catholic University
at Washington, might prepare handbook on
morality based on the Bible which would meet
with general acceptance. There are controvert-
ed points in religion and in political economy
but he believes that the essential truths OF both
should be brought to the consciousness of every
child And every child should thoroughly learn
the duties Of the citizen, the organization of
government, and he trained 10 be beyond the
reach Of spoilsmen's brides and appeals to igno
rance where his country is concerned