The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-03-10
N(NARCHNNUS ACR()NN
WHAT TIE GENERALIZATION OF
POWER SUGGESTS TO
PROF. SMITH
CHICAGO TOPICS DISCUSSED
Great Truths Asserted by the PresI-
dent of Clark University to
Meeting of Mothers
at Evanston.

Special Correspondence of the Globe.
CHICAGO, March S-The last sentence
of my letter in the G l oil e of Sunday
March s, has Occasioned me some con-
Germ, inasmuch as it seems possible that
some may mistake my hearty commenda-
ton of the noble words of Bishop Spald-
Ing and of Frederick Harrison as in
tended for my own poor composition.
While this feeling is strong enough to
prompt this reference, I can scarce be-
lleve that the C l o b e's readers have
misunderstood my remarks. 1t would
have given me great pleasure to have
placed before them all that the bishop
Of Peoria said, but that was not practical
bic. He has delivered a great number of
educational addresses, and few men have
done more for the dignity and honor of
the teachers calling than he, here in Gen.
trail Mississippi valley
In contrast with Mr. Harrison's beau
tltul tributes to Humanity" 1 have re-
Gently come across a poem originally
written in Yiddish by Morris RosenfeId,
and translated by J. w Linn, of Chicago
university, which presents a true picture
of the condition of a large portion of that
humanity to which the distinguished posi-
twist presented the little child during
ms visit here. The poem is entitled The
Sweat Shop and the first stanza is as
follows:
The roaring of the wheels has filed my
The clash;ng and the clamor shut me
Myself, my soul in chaos disappears.
Il cannot think or feel amid the din.
hohlnS and toiling and toiling-endless
For whom? For what? Why should
the work be done?
DO not ask or know I only toll
/ ba Ioy
" nile conditions are such that the
mind OF man is bound and held bv the
law or Self-preservation, while toll of the
most disagreeable kind alone is possible
a Toll that must destroy all finer SEN
slbIlities, shut out hope and cIothe in
despair. Why speak of the glories and
beauties of humanity to the ensIaved
muiutudeS Of men? 1t is true that the
same glorious sun sends its blessings
alike upon Belgravia and Whitechapel.
ana the south wind comes laden with ITS
blessings to each: that under similar con-
oltlons the east end and west end Of
LONDON could have the same flowers; the
same music; the same hopes and aspira
tons but conditions are vastly different.
and theories applicable to the one utterly
IalI as 10 the other. This superabundant
sentimentality that continually sings
the sad. sweet strains Of humanity" is
not optimism, but is rather serene ex-
preston from those eminently well salts
ned with themselves and their surround
ings. Certainly men like John Rusken and
William Morris knew something of hu-
mainly, and more nobly did they work
in its behalf.
SCHOOL MATTERS.
The bill proposed by the educational
commission has been introduced into the
general assembly at Springfield, Ill, but
1t will scarcely pass. There is little of
value in 1.-THE only important change
from present conditions being a reduc-
ton Of the number of members of the
board of education from twenty-one to
nine, to be appointed by the mayor. The
mayor viii have power, upon his own
initiative. TO remove a member at any
time. This, of course adds to the DO
utical significance Of the measure. Taken
all in all 1t is a step in the direc-
ton of Capitalization of power, a ten
dency that is manifesting itself in school
matters as well as in government and
municipal affairs Among educators now
the peculiar and reasonable hobby is "a
state system Of education" I say "rea-
sOnable" because everything seems tend
ing towards a central power that en-
bodies, at least, legislative and execu-
tive functions, and, if this continues
local direction of affairs must be sur
rendered. Why is it that only during the
past half dozen years has it been deem
ed necessary to regulate by state law
the details Of the management of a school
district or a city system? Why do those
interested in the work no longer look
to the community, but go to the sta tie
for guarantees and for directions? Are
they afraid to trust the com N-nity? Is
the community afraid to trust them? Is
the district mutual and hopeless? We
shudder at the thought of a king. but
IS not the state rapidly becoming a.
monarch? And does 1t matter whether
this monarch wears a crown-cannot it
be absolute in its rule?
The pension law Of the teachers has
not yet been framed An actuary and a
lawyer are at work upon it and when il
is completed it will be submitted to a
vote among the teachers. The bill will
undoubtedly be approved by a majority
Of the teachers, but there will be strong
OppOSition-an opposition that is hopeful
of securing the final defeat of the meas
ure at Springfield.
The school Of pedagogy, founded and
endowed by Mrs. Fmmons Blaine. has
absorbed the Chicago Manual Training
school and III turn has itself been absorb
ed by the University CT Chicago Col
Parker win be the dean, with large DOW.
ers. The scheme will have five DEPART
ments-pcdag oglcal secondary, academic
elementary and kindergarten 1t is per-
haps the only school in the world where
child may enter as kindergartner, and
emerge as a doctor of philosophy. a
fundamental principle of this school is.
education is life," and a fundamental
requirement. Send the whole boy to
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