The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-02-18
SCHOOL MELANGE.

March... .......................H. a. LaRue
SCHOOL MELANGE.
Tie Pedagogue has read everything
he. could get hold OF concernin1 the
distribution of the irreducible school
fund. and he is only the more confirmed
IN his opinion that 1t would be great
step backward cducationally. to do away
with 1t. 1t Is already furnishing yearly
to the distribu.able fund a nice sum-
and II allowed 10 accumulate it will
very soon furnish enough to lessen the
taxes, SO complained of by those in IA
vor OF distributing 1t. There is nothing
IN the cry that we are laying up money
FOR the use Of future generations II we
were taxing ourselves directly to in
crease this fund. then there would be
some justice in the cry, but we are not.
Not one cent OF this fund comes from
the pockets Of the Taxpayers. But il
there Is anything In this, pray tell us
now we are TO get the authority 10 use
what former generation put into
iuHd to be scld sacred and the interest
OF which was 10 go to the education OF
the masses. Was II mistake for the
makers CT our constitution to establish
such a fund? We think not, but II
would be surely a mistake 10 undo what
they did so well. The writer is thor
oushly convinced that !, II this matter
were properly considered by our legis-
iators. they would not pass such an
mn Il liz. ,tn-
~ convinced that II /; Is passed and the
people are made to understand it prop
er!y they will vote down the amend
meNt. Gentlemen, doa't destroy the
hen that lays the golden egg" Be
content with the interest, as it now
stands, for in very short time II the
lund is disturbed. we will have neither
principal nor interest. See what the
states are doing. which take the lead in
popular education. Texas has been cited
as one who Is about to do away with
this fund. Is Texas good example of
progress in everything that goes to
make up high educational standard?
Rather look 10 such states as those
formed from the great northwestern
territory. Are they doing away with
their school fund?
A patron OF our public schools. and by
the way, one OF Its very best friends,
said to the writer short time ago that
his children had 50 much studying to
do at nigh. that they had TO pleasure
any more In Il social waF in the family.
There vas no time for anything but
lessons, from the time the children came
from school until they returned in the
morning. He wished ID know IL the
course OF, study in our primary schools
was not too heavy, as far as the num-
Ter or studies IS concerned. or the num-
Der OF textbooks used. This parent Is
right. No child ought to have more
than three studies. /. C.. textbook stud.
les. VIZ: one in language, one in science |
ana one In mathematics. These, with
music drawing and writing are enough.
Geography as Il school study ought TO
be finished In onc-half the time we de-
vote to It.. In studying the history OF
our country, It's geography ought 10 oc-
cupy prominent place. Our schools are
becoming crowded with too many daily
Relations. Who will be bold enough 10
lead In n reform IN this matter? Not
how much, but how well should be our
motto. \ little learned well Is much
better than a great deal gone over and
half learned. Tha: teacher who teaches
n few things well, and inspires her Tu-
pills to 20 on learning after they leave
school. Is the one who Is doing the
greatest work, cducatlOnally.
Like teacher, like school," has be-
come an axiom. 1t Is just as true as
any axiom in mathematics. il requires
10 demonstration. II the teacher
speaks In n low voice and does no: en-
umerate properly, she will soon have
followers among her pupils. If size
speaks In harsh. raspy tones. that jar
the nerves. the very same tones will be
echoed from those she Is attempting 10
instruct. How important. then, that
she speak IN clear. distinct tones, that
carry with them the culture that every
teacher ought to have and that wins
the confidence the respect and the love
OF the pupil There Is no trouble with
such q teacher in the control of her
school. By the natural law of mind
over mind the pupils know there Is n
master hand guiding them and they
govern themselves. No harshness IL
necessary. except It may be In very cx-
cept!onal cases. and the machinery OF
hand. There Is no magic about 1t. l, Is
but the power that Is welded by one
both respected and loved We need
more such teachers our schools are
crying out for thcp In no uncertain
tones. We have many OF them now. but
In the schools or the near future any
other kind will be the exception.
The extreme cold weather kept many
OF the pupils OF our schools ut home
during Its continuance. In some rooms
for quite Il number of days the attend
nncc was not more than 80 per cent.
fhis wifi doubtless give the lowest av-
cragc per cent Of the year for the
month OF February. 1t Is n wonder,
though that II was not even less. for
several mornings were dangerously
cold. while frozen hands, feet ana ears
were not the exception. Though the
cold weather seems to be thing of the