The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-07-07
American Education Of FillnInOs.

American Education OF FtlininoB.
An important start in the line Of the
practical work Of advancing the Fill
pinos on American principles of civili-
nation at Manila was begun on Monday
Of this week. and the progress of the ex-
pertinent viii be watched with much In
terest In this country. The plan con-
templates beginning with the intelligent
youth of the best classes of the Fill
pinos. who are to be educated through
the establishment of a free school sys-
tenn modelled after that In the United
States. 1t is to be gradually extended
over the principal Islands
There are two or three important
features in connection with the institu-
.tlon Of these public free schools, worthy
of note, and which differ from previous
schools in the Philippines. The New
York Sun notes them, although they
have already been published in the dis
patches from both Washington and Ma
Mia, and comments upon their advan-
tages. One Of these features is that the
teachers win be fairly well paid, in or
der that competent persons may be Sc
cured, The Spanish government was
very deficient in this particular; 1t had
very few schools and they were misera-
bly, conducted: the teachers We're so
poorly paid that it has been matter Of
common comment in letters from the
Philippines on this subject
Another purpose Of the American sys-
tenn is that the schools are to be, as in
this country, entirely void of sectarian-
ism. Free religion is to be guaranteed
to the Filiplnos and their children are
to be as free from sectarian influences
as the children OF Americans are.
Another feature, and one which will
be conducive to the better and more In
telhgent understanding of American
methods and civilization among the ris-
ing generation, is that one hour each
day in the schools is to be given to In
structions in the English language.
The Sun aptly inquiries: What study is
better adapted to develop and quicken
the intelligence OF the native youth?
For some reason the friars were OPP
posed TO the study OF Spanish in the few
schools Spain established. notwith-
standing the Madrid government de-
creed that 1t should be studied. No at
tentlon was paid to the mandate. In
struction in no western language has
been within reach OF any Filipino child.
unless his parents desired to give him
special tuition. and could financially af-
ford the LUXURY"
the Sun makes the striking point that
the masses of the so-called civilized
children have had no education. except
little reading and writing and smat-
tering Of the catechism. But n new
era dawned on Monday for the millions
OF Malay boys and girls in this and flu
ture generations. The blessings Of edu-
cation are to be extended to them by
great government as duty 1t owes to
them and the future of their race"
This policy adopted by the United
states government will go far toward
reconcillng the best classes of the FIJI
plnos to American Influences and help
to solve one of the most important Of
the questions connected with the gov
eminent Of the island, whatever the
nature of It shall be by the win Of
Congress. Whether 1t looks to future
independence under an American pro-
tectorate or whether some other honor
able disposition is to be made, certain
ly. in this respect. a policy has been set
ON foot looking to the fulhllment of the
obligations Of the government.