The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-06-22
Nhy is il So?

Mr.. Edtor-On the death CT Mr. Baird
Wilmington sustaiL cd great 10 5 and
cut educators seemed almost paralyZ,d by
his sudden demise. Our Board Of Eiuca-
tion soon rai led however, and by cleo ion
placed ut it, head IN honored gentleman
in the person Of DR.. Shortlidge its senior
member.
The public schools are now closing with
their commencement exercises; young
meii and women are going out INTO the
world OF letters moro or less prepared to
fill responsible positions in life.
Wcare proud of the schools set apart for
oo!orcd children, the buildings are airy
and fairly well rqnippes. for work. The
play grounds could possibly afford some
little improvement. Most of our teachers
arc bo h competent and faithful While
Howard School i. not High School by
any means (and it is unfortunate to so
Iniscall it) yet we arc taught TO look to 1t
as tho standard for morals and methods
for proficiency and efficiency.
Thus we discover the sad and true condi-
tion. Howard school lacks discipline moro
than ary other school in this city, and
whyp ltappears as though tho principal
is fearful of results. OF course II posi-
tion Of trust is beiug filled by the sympa-
thetic consent of those who appoint, and
not on merit. then we Gan SEQ tho policy
of 10 discipline. The actual school duty
and study is too often suspended so rs to
practice for entertainments and to sing
aud march for visitors. Tho assistants
many of them, no doubt, see this need,
but thoy cannot secure that proper re: pect
and discipline without the full support OF
well trained and disciplined principal.
Some OF the teachers of this school have
grown up in one sense, with tho school,
but old age can not even make teachers.
The school work has outgrown the prin-
cipal, in its present demands, and in its
methods it has outg rown come Of the old
er assistants. Tho lady at tho head of the
Howard School has done remarkably we'll
under tho existing circumstances, for which
she ought to bo commended. The time is
now when teachers can nolonger hold po-
sltions on mere past FIJI hfulness. Goodness
eau no longer take the placs of brains and
fitness.
If our boys and girls arc to be trained
they must have trained teachers. The fu-
.ture of The children demand just and inn
partial consideration of who shall teach
our youth.
. Why is 1t, a class graduates each year
from this High School," and yet when
any position is to be filled in the same
school (there are cxceptions) somo select
lady must be Imported from Washington
or elsewhere to flll the position
Some of those imported pass no exam-
ination but teach on recommendation Of
some one qualified to judge Of course.
Why not ill these places with the grad
yates Of Wilmington Colored High SCHOOL,
They don't pass he required examination.
ihey PASS as much us our friends from
Washington. Why don't this High School
graduate some young lady who can pass.
and thereby make record.
The school needs discipline, not diplo-
macy but discipline. The pupils need a
thorough training in the prescribed course
of studies a faithful examination in those
studies and then an honest and conscien-
tious rating in their hly reports.
The school needs less colorfobia and more
common sense, less pietenso and more re-
ality. CITIZEN.