The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-05-19

enlightenment; let illiteracy displace
American culture; let our people be-
come benighted instead of continuing
to encourage the march of intellect
and this republic would crumble and
fail like a structure resting on rotted
timbers.
Enlightenment means continued life
and growth of the nation; ignorance.
its death-warrant. The true thinker,
who. loves the republic and earnestly
prays for it's perpetuity must therefore
of necessity become AN ardent friend
of all that tends to the broadening of
education and the spreading of knowl-
edge He must Of necessity become q
warm supporter of the school, the coll
lege, the university and the public
library
Garfield said that our great hope
for the future, our great safeguard
! against danger, is to be found In the
general and thorough education of our
people and the virtue which accom-
panfes such education
MIR. ERLEWINES VIEWS.
Superintendent o. w. Erlewine Of
the city schools submitted the follow
ing views:
Yes, l read what Mr.. Huntington
| had to say concerning higher eduea-
ton for the masses, and will say that
he is not alone in his opinion. I have
heard many other observing men of
wide experience voice the same senti-
| ments. The criticism that is likely to
be heaped upon such remarks is likely
to come from those who have spent
their lives in giving instructions in
What is termed higher education, and
not from those who are in position to
observe it's practical application.
Il believe in higher education in the
| sense that it be extensive and thor
ough along special lines, and not be
conducted through a bewildering mass
Of subject matter that leaves the stu
dent after he has passed through it
all to- look back over his years Of labor
as a misty dream.
There can be no question but that
the trend of educational people is to
add to the curriculum of schools from
the primary department to the uni
versiies. Extra demands are made
yearly ON our high schools by the
universities, until now four years is
barely enough to accomplish the work
required. In view of this fact, the
Council of Education at a meeting in
Santa, Rosa last December appointed
committee to confer with the uni
versities of this State to see if there
could not be some modification ar
| ranged.
L believe that the natural inclination
of our boys and girls would properly
adjust itself to the demands for higher
education if permitted to do so, but
SO many parents think they are doing
| the best thing for their children when
they rush them off to college regardless
of their ability or inclination in that
direction After four years examining
| they return, and, as Mr. Huntington
says, aimlessly wait for something to
come around that will fit them-and it
never comes.
While l do not believe that the sole
| object of an education should be
turned to financial pursuits, yet that
is one of the great aims Of life always
has been and always will be. and it
should not be overlooked in the edu-
cation of our children. Then education
! should be fitted as much as possible
to the requirements of life, socially,
morally and financially The appropri :
ate fitness of these can best be Judged
| by those of wide and successful expert
ence in these Ines