The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1897-12-30
E. D. Coz, a normal school regent. 3

Os OOE, a LUZ bCn&Ol IcRcut, u
friend OF popular education and an hon
est rnan, takes exception through The
Sentinel, to comments made by ex.Gov.
Hoard upon the neglect of our common
schools by the Legislature, and the lndif-
ference OF public sentiment regarding
them. Mr.. Coe goes on TO enumerate
what has been done for the common
schools. But much Of this would have
been much better left updone and not
one thing emanated from the common
schools and hence is rendered partially
ineffective. Gov. Hoard's sympathles
were with those interested in elementary
education, though he had no clear con-
ception OF what was needed, or the means
which would be most efficacious in Great
Ing interest IN popular education But
that sympathy without definite know
ledge of the means to be employed, did
the instrumentallties Mr.. Coe enumer-
ates.
Before writing bis message, Gov. Hoard
sought the advice of the writer ss to rec
concentrations regarding the common
schools. The pressing want at that time,
as it Is now, was an enlarged appreciation
of The purpose of elementary education
as related to good citizenship and the
personal needs of the pupils. In the
schools, language was neglected and the
thought of the student was as uncertain
and indefinite as the language used to
express it. Accuracy, precision and care
in one would necessarily lead to the same
qualities u the other. A thought ex
pressed in slovenly language is never
clear one. The great need in every
branch taught in the country schools,
including mathematics, was clearness
Of expression which would reflect the
accuracy and completeness of the
thought. One thinks in words and the
effort of putting the thought In words
which are an exact symbol, clarifies the
thought.
This, IN substance, was what was told
Mr.. Hoard and, the writer was later as
sured, formed the basis of his recommen-
d4tion. What relation that recommen.
dation bad to the Bennett law is not
known. The Bennett law was crude
MEASURE but it had dlrectness and adapt
ability. 1t aroused storm, but that was
just what was required to bring about
revolution. The exlgencies of politics
we're more potent to direct than we're the
needs of the schools and we returned to
the old system of legislating for the
schools without knowing their needs.
The country school is al inseparabie
part of the community in which it exists.
The community must be considered IN
all acts affecting the school. The Ben
net law reached the school through the
patron. It was kicked out but at the
behest of an outsider. But it found
Judgment in every home. The frenzy of
opposition stirred the people to activity
and they started in to do the very thing
which was characterized as al INVASION
of their rights. SardanaDalus' M artial
brother-ln-law would rouse the king to
necessary activity in his own own behalf
by provoking bis enmity against himself.
Let US look at some of the beneficent
measures the legislature has passed to
promote elementary edu cation:
| Teachers Institutes: But the country
10y or country girl must pay one dollar
for the privilege of being examined, to
provide an institute fund. Tuition at
tie University is free and a gymnasium
is furnished for the development of bud
ding athletes. No one can cay a word
against the institute conductors. as per-
sons having all necessary scholastic at
sttainments. But does one of them dur
ing bis period of service ever put his foot
inside country school? The suparln-
tendent who does not study the people,
understand them and direct them inteIli
gently, may work hard, but his work is
without fruit. So true is it that the pa
tron of the country school is q part of
the school, that to ignore him is to dis
card an element without which success
is impossible.
The mill tax: The greatest humbug
that was ever perpetrated in the name of
education, and bears greater weight of
responsibility for indifference in country
districts than any other educational
measure enacted. It sought TO do by
indirection what should be the parents
duty and privilege to do gladly, tax him
self to educate his child. The perfor-
nance of that duty voluDt arily aud di-
| rectly Is an education, stimulus to
further performance of duty. The state
has robbed the parent OF voluntary and
necessary exercise of duty.
The State Superintendent office: The
country school is known there only by
hearsay. The only tie Of connection is
the table of statistics. At the time when
the course of study for country schools
was prepared, never we're men more hon.
est in their purpose to confer a benefit
than were those whose work this is, But
it's original purpose was to grade
the country schools, And superinten-
dents at their meetings boosted of the
number of schools which had been grad
ed in accordance with the instructions of
the course. Fortunatt]y,a country school
cannot be graded until 1t reaches that
degree of inefficiency which makes it's dis
continuance advisable. When the course
was subjected to the test of sdapt8bility
by actual contact With conditions, the
grading feature was eliminated and the
soul Of the course was revealed and be-
came blessing to the schools. A mon
umeet to the wisdom of those who pre-
pared it as an educational measuse when