The sun., 1900-12-03
Monday, December 3, 1900.
MANUAL TRAINING SCHOOLS.

MANUAL TRAINING SCHOOLS.
to the manual training department of the
local public schools growing out of the
idea that an attempt is being made to
create a trade school--that to teach boys
trades. A little thought about that mat
ter ought to convince the obiectors that
such a thing as teaching the boys trades
AT he High School is not possible. The
amount and kind of work available at
the school is not sufficient for that pur-
pose. The benefit of manual training is
e, dent when the boys leave the school
to become apprentices in our local work
shops in that it gives them some know
ledge of tools and machinery. We think,
however there is also Il benefit derived
in a diversity of study. In it theory and
practice go together, the fatigue of one
is balanced by the interest the boys feel
in the other. This it may be said is
what occurs when school teams play
base ball and foot ball, although we are
inclined to think thn manual training
much more beneficial all round than the
ball games-it it seems 10 us TO be the
more rati lnal of the two. Locally the
interest in manual training is centered
in the dcsirabilty Of inducing the
pupils of the fifth and sixth grammar
grades to that department. We are in
favor of it. These younger boys prob
Fac, .,li tat.N-
studies more than the pupils of the
higher grades, and we are sure that II
the boys, any of them, have II strong
mechanical inclination they will most
thoroughly enjoy the privilege of trying
to make things. They are of that age
when the making of kites. boats and
wagons is joyous WORK. In this line we
suggest that the training that will point
a hoy TO the work in which he can find
the highest pleasure is the best kind OF
training So far in this discussion VIC
y nave been thinking of the white pupils
q lof the manual training department. Foi
z the eolorcd pupils perhaps another view
Of the case is permssabc In this de-
partmcnt we think the value of the
school is, or ought TO he. in the fact
that il does nduct the pupils into me
chanical work OH the line Of trades. Every
one who thinks intelligently about thl'
matter knows that the avenues Of en
ploylnent open for colorpd boys are re
strieted. That while tho trend Of thti
education Is away from the more mcnia
enlplo ... scarcely any oth"r avenue
of employment are open 10 them.
will be recognized We think that in th
bcttermcnt of the social conditions of thu
colored people they too are demanding
the services of mechanics. Now w
cannot see why the colorcd peoples worl
Of this kind should not be performed b,
colorcd mechanics if such can lie foun'
of sufficient skill to do it, There is
good bit of such work which they at
tempt by reason of circumstances, to d
for themselves, and it occurs to us tina
If the manual training school for colore
boys was made practical in this line tn
experience of the school would be i'll
mediately valuable to the pupil on leay
ing school, If this is practical it woul
De doing quite as much for the pup
as is his teaching in language, math'
matcs and geography He may reasol
ably be supposed to forget good dci
of that which he learned in the schoo
but teach him to hang a door, or
window sash, to make Il door, or
weathclboard tbr side Of Il house and h
will not forget it, especially if he was 5
fortunate as to get Il job of that Kin
to do just after leaving school. lf edt
cation ut public cost is not intended
be helpful 10 the pupils in after life
is waste of time, effort and money I
educate thcm-and the pupil is the tir'
->Tne who should be benefited. All I'll
return the State can hope for in sue
eases must come in the making. {
competent self helpful citizens.