The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1901-02-15
Canton Teachers Hold a
Meeting.
PROF. F.WRIGHT'sADDREss
He Discusses Condition of Can.
ton Schools, Health, Morals
and Manners.

Canton was held in room Z at the high
school Wednesday afternoon. About
800 teachers were present.
Professor Wright talked at length
of the condition of the Canton schools
in regard to health. morals. manners
and other things along the same line.
In part, he said:
"Some of the pupils of the Canton
schools have refused to buy the music
books that have been prescribed; these
should be reported and the matter re-
ferred directly to their parents"
With regard to absence from school
without reasonable excuse, he said:
Instances of truancy have been re.
ported where the pupil has been alb.
sent from school for a week or more
without satisfactory excuse; these
should be looked after and II the boy Is
a chronic truant the best place for him
is in the reform school at Lancaster.
1t is something that requires immedi.
ate attention.
1t sometimes happens that pupils
are unable to take all Of their exam
nations at the regular time for SO do
ing. Heretofore they have been al
lowed to take the examinations at the
high school on Saturday following the
regular time. In future, instead of this
plan, they will be required to take them
at the school which they attend during
the time when they would ordinarily be
reciting in those subjects. The rea-
son for so doing is the expense of heat
ing the high school building on Satur.
day for this special purpose which is
regarded as unnecessary by the super.
intendent.
Other defects Of the public school
system of Canton were discussed by
the superintendent. He said:
'In reading an article in paper
entitled Defects of the Public School
System by President Thwing of West
ern Reserve university, l became i'm.
pressed with the idea that many of
the defects spoken of by Prof. Thwing
are applicable to Canton. OF course
we are all continually looking for de-
fects in our system. but in close asso-
citation we come to overlook some of
the defects and as result, we are far
from perfect. At present l will only
hint at some of them. This is not a
political speech. but the point in ques-
tion is the board of education. Their
terms are so short that they do not
get we'll enough acquainted with the
work to be able to discover what in
cidental expenses are unnecessary
and to get rid Of them. The public is
very willing to criticise extravaganza,
but it is not willing to let men serve on
the board long enough to familiarize
themselves with what is required of
them. I know of city near here
where the board of education has
served for 80 years and the schools
are free from debt and well equipped.
1t Is the same way with the teachers
boards; no sooner do they begin to be
of value than they are dismissed from
the board. After about four years In
Office, these men just begin to be val
liable. That Is the cause of a great
defect in our system.
Another defect is the excessive
number Of pupils to each teacher. In
the model school the teacher should
understand the popularity of each one
of her pupils. l am not finding fault
with the teachers in this matter"
In discussing the morals of the
schools, Professor Wright said:
Neglect of the question of morals,
manners and health is one of the great
est accusations that can be made
against the Canton schools. 1t is
my opinion that the schools should be
the same thing as the home for the
pupils with regard to good literature,
aesthetic culture, high art and high
thought. The public have a right to
expect 1t and do expect 1t. Poor man.
ners and lack of culture are evident
in the average Canton boy as in fact,
| 4, 10 olr In tn, I,ox ~f
all cities of the country. Some things
are peculiar to this city, however. For
| instance, IL a boy does a favor for any
| of you teachers and you say Thank
you,' he will invariably reply, Yes,
SIR They mean no disrespect, but 1t is
habit with them that should be
broken. The people here are used to it
| and do not notice it.
1--WE are neglecting the higher cul-
lture; and sometimes the teachers are
| not careful enough themselves. Health,
regularity, system, sleep and things of
that order ought to get constant at
| tenion. Some people do not believe
| that 1t Is the province of the teacher to
pay any attention to whether a pupil
takes care of his teeth, nails, hair, etc.,
but 1t Is the province of the Canton
school teachers. and the schools will
part company with the teacher who
puts such an opinion into practice.
"The teaching of morals is extremely
difficult, yet 1t is prime necessity, as
the training of intellect without moral
training Is a loss, as 1t merely gives the
pupil cunning which may be misdirect-
ed. Schools that teach shrewdness
without morals are a positive detriment
to q community A lack of misunder-
standing between the board of educa-
ton and the executive department is
responsible for this. In the near future.
a meeting will be held at which will
discuss the question. The schools as |
see them"
another thing that should be reme-
died Is the improper use of the bible
| af the nnaning of school I'm the morninu