The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-04-23

believe that the barbarities of the old
schooi-ihe whipping post and the
ducking stool-are and can he prsc-
ticed with impunity In the schools
where the so-called e education has
not been adopted.
The improved social conditions re-
ouire improved mode of discipline. As
society grows In breadth. the public
school grows to a broader view OF in
struction and discipline.
1t is an indication of the prevailing
lack of knowledge Of the real condition
of affairs for the spokesman Of a COM
munity to lay claim to the city normal
training department as a phase of the
so-called new education City train
ing classes for teachers date back a
quarter of a century. All or nearly all
large city schools consider this depart
ment as one of the essential features or
the free school system. This feature
was established i'm Butte In 1898. but
not under the guise OF the new edu-
cation 1t is certainly an
feature of the Helena school system.
IL not loaded into the new education
wagon and its usefulness destroyed.
The question Of economy. so persistent
ly presented by the new education adj
vocates hardly merits attention. IL Is
not so much what a good school costs
as hat it's efficiency lis. As to the eco
monica argument. IL the published re-
B'fiN u Noiiftts Antit ~ nv ipbist1tioh
in fact for 1t. City Superintendent
Klock OF Helena reported a total enroll
ment in the schools Feb. %. of 2,l70.
The average cost per month. as given
i'm the published statement is S5,424.71,
or S2.i9 per pupil enrolled. This In
cludes all school expenses. The estimat-
ed cost per month for all expenses of
the Butte schools, including text books,
repairs. supplies, fuel. teachers. tani-
tors and officers salaries. Is placed at
$12. 500. The total enrolment for Feb
ruary was $3.50. This would make the
cost per pupil. $40. II the two esti-
mates are correct as published. the so
called new education as now operated
i'm Helena, H. even more expensive than
the system in the school of this disc
trict. The question OF expense. within
reasonable limits, is. however, blu a
secondary consideration. The Helena
system must, from the reported lack OF
text books. depend largely upon oral
instruction. Herein, TO a great extent.
lies the boosted merits OF the so-called
new education OF the Helena system"
The superintendent then quotes the
Hon. William T. Harris. United States
commissioner of education, as to the
disadvantages of oral instruction. and
also quotes the following from a state
ment regarding the system In Helena,
by Miss Serepta Sanders. one OF the
teacher i'm the Helena schools:
THE trial In Helena of the so-called
oral instruction has resulted in much
disappointment TO very many of the
people of that city. That habit, so
earnestly sought to be inculcated by
every true teacher-the habit Of sys-
tematic study-is entirely lost sight of
under the new system.
I'm some cases indeed. among the
bright pupils. quick and nashy habits
of mind are produced, but that patient
study n investigation and that men
tai application so necessary 10 scholar
ship have been abandoned.
"As a result. the boys are no longer
studious out of school. many have
fallen into evil ways by roaming about
the streets at night and not "A few have
been sent to reform and other schools.
III all teachers were infallible. oral
instruction would not be so dangerous.
A poo teacher, unless she IL tethered
10 "a text book, ma work much harm
To the pupil. ! consider IL Door econo-
my to retrench expenses by cutting
down the supply of text books. The
best educators OF the country have de-
cided that the pupil is entitled to a clear
statement of that knowledge for which
he Is held responsible by the teacher"
Continuing, Prof. Hendricks says:
1T is my opinion that the Helena
system is practical in so far as the eN-
perienced and able teachers of the corps
strike out on lines independent OF the
patented processes. The lack Of books
will greatly retard the work. but need
not prevent experienced teachers from
getting results. Butte would not toll
crate the system because II is in real
ity an old education tried and found
wanting of merit. 1t has been aimed
by the friends of the so-called new
education la those who do not adopt
the ideas. methods. schemes and fall I'm
line are behind the times. This should
not i'm the least disturb those who are
teaching school and attending quietly to
business.
In the earlier stages of the develop
ment OF the American free school sys-
tem. the schools were In a turmoil from
dissensions among teachers, school OFF,
GERS. patrons and pupils. War was de-
clared the first day Of school, n per-
sistently prosecuted during the term or
year. The parents and pupils were In
variably arrayed against the teachers
and the officers of the school. The
successful modern school Is entirely
free from internal dissensions. In these
schools pupils are with the teachers.
teachers with the officers of the school,
and the people unite I'm keeping harmony
and good will. The system, new or old,
which produces dissensions. arrays even
a large minority OF the people against
the teachers and the schools is a M
10 the public good.
The Helena system. so enthusiasts i-
cally recommended. is certainly not a
harbinger of peace, good will and har
mony II the daily press of that city cor
rectly represents the situation. The
public schools belong to all OF the peo-
pie. and are for the good Of all of the
people. The system which creates con-
tentions. interferes with the work of
pupils and teachers and depends en-
tirely on its displays and startling per
formances is a failure.
Butte has passed through the va
rious stages of the play. n Il fortu-
nate indeed when a condition Is Sc
cured which gives the children and
youth in the chool an opportunity 10
receive the best efforts of their teacher
every day Of the ear. AS TO the charge
made by the ad vocates Of the ~so-called
new education that this district has