The Delta independent., 1897-12-31

narcotics, civil government, all much
sttenuated-the ratio being about 10per
cent OF essential truth to 80 per cent Of
vindy words-let US look at the boy who
quits school at u or IA or l6. He has
finished some books and has vague
knowledge OF what they contain. His
impression is that in the grade
beyond the great secret of life would have
tbeen discovered. but that he has missed
y. Outside, he learns that he must now
Barn his own bread. He did not know
before that life was work, and now that
he is brought to realize it what can he
do: Had he been permitted to graduate
there were visions Of foot ball champion
ships and unlimited holiday. Now,
perhaps, he may be bell boy or elevator
boy, or messenger. cowboy, or teamster,
or an apprentice at some trade, or a mere
hoodlum. What his future may be is
p matter for conjecture. 1t will depend.
|But could he during his school life have
kbeen grounded in the essentials Of the
Branches named, largely by oral and
|~c.cSt tcoShibss taoeh ~ hhoh SShooi "o5
merely means to an end, and that end
the great actualities OF life before him;
that in that life the conditions OF success
E~ere honesty, industry. patience, self
control. self reliance; could he have been
ksnspired with a love OF ofkuowledge-getting,
and realized that her temple gates were
open TO him out OF school as well as in;
could the glories OF literature have been
revealed TO him through its masterpieces,
think you such a lad would have been
content with the bottom round:
1t may be too much to ask or expect
Ithings are so set-but il our high schools
were turned into industrial schools,
where useful trades and applied sciences
were taught it would prove a God-send
Ito the youth Of the land and the future
|of the country. 1t would dispense with
the vile apprentice system, with its
Ignorance and moral contamination. The
trades unions would likely oppose it and
there is the other barrier, the false notion
that labor is degrading.
An eastern manufacturer whose name
b familiar to many. in response to the
toast "a Business Mans Views OF Our.
Schools" said among other things. Fur
the twenty years that have lived here
ne have not been able until about year
suAss sosaoy anybody -frpu our own
v1lage FOR any other work than that Of
eeomon laborer. You may not like to
Asar it, but it is fact. Wehave searched
0vsry time there was chance 10 advance
. boy from Dodgeville, and We have ever
toand him deficient in some OF the points
a learning" Again he says: The
young men do not seem TO have taste
Tor what will blacken their hands or
make dust go flying. Our girls, many OF
them, can look very charming. but can
not cook a coup or anything else il called
upon."
A parent writing to the Chieftain two
years ago OF the Pueblo schools asked
thee pertinent Tor impertinentl CUES
tious:
Can not some of the thousand useless
sxercises that now crush the life out Of
the teachers and discourage children be
dropped and some time given TO reading.
writing and speaking the truth" as taught
By the Persianss Can not boys be pre-
vented from smoking. using profane
language, abusing small boys, and be
taught some respect Tor God and some
man beside policeman. Can anything
Be done to teach boys to be brave. TO tell
the truth: Can girls be taught TO be
ladylike. TO avoid slang. chewing gum
and impure convcrsatioug"
A hopeful sign is the introduction OF
lectures. These 80 far have been limited
TO clzeees in the higher grades, and to
parents They should be adapted to all
grades. They will awaken a desire Tor
knowledge and stimulate self -helpfulness.
School boards in New York. Chicago and
other large cities are sustaining them
from the public funds To the honor OF
Pueblo il should be mentioned that the
lecture plan. in limited way. has been
in vogue in District No. % for several
years.
While in the line Of hetercdox utter
anccs. another Of our weaknesses is in
the employ ment % very young teachers.
Little more can be expected OF them
than 10 be slaves TO text books. Their
personal resources arc limited. They are
immature in character and mentality.
Having never learned eclf-control nor
eli. reliance. with no experience in
practical life and its demands. how can
they train otherp:
To sum up:
I. Fewer and simpler text books. and
they stripped q non-e~cntials.