The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1901-03-21
DIRECTOR CHAMBERLAIN
DISCUSSES THE SCHOOLS
-.
Thinks the Time Has Come
for Progress All Around.
--s
FayorS Mroe Use of Vocal
Music and Addition
of Grades.

Hon. M. L. Chamberlain, chairman
of the committee on revising the course
of study and arranging the grades to in
crease the efficiency OF the Salem public
schools, was asked what changes or inn
provements in the management would
be attemp ed and discussed the general
situation as follows:
"You ask If there are changes on te m
plated by the Board in the management
of the schools for the coming year2
"No doubt there will be in some par
ticulars. An act Of the recent legislature
provides for, and enlarges the duties of
school directors, but not having carefully
read this law, / am unable to say what it
proposes TO do,o the changes to be made,
"I can only speak for myself on these
matters; but one thing seems important t
and necessary at this time, and that is
to advance the work and increase, il
possible, the interest in the school
room.
"For several years past the Board
have had their hands full in looking
after the finances of the district, almost
losing sight Of all else. The supporters
Of the schools have nobly come TO our
relief. As witness the prompt action in
taking mp some $50, 900 of tile indebted.
ness against ne, aud the willingness to
vote at our annual meetings any tax
levy the Board might ask for. am be-
ginning to think, if our schools are not
up to the standard OF excellence they
should he, It is not the fault of the tax
payers aud patrons who contribute to
them.
at is said that some of our
neighboring towns boast of hav.
ing superior and more ad.
vanced school than the capital Of the
state can or does afford. But one can
hardly believe this to be true.
"Many causes of late years have con-
tributed to give educational institutions
backseC, especially in Salem. The
large overhanging debt contracted years
ago has been our stumbling block. How
ever, affairs are assuming better shape
now, and the clouds are rolling away.
do not mean by this that because Of
this evidence Of returning prosperity we
should begin to plan for an extra out
lay Of money, or increase in our expen-
ses, but rather let US give better atten-
tion TO the work already in hand.
at would be hard to find more COM
petent and faithful class OF teachers
than at present is employed in the
schools. Still, il does not follow that
improvements cannot be suggested or
new ideas gain ioothold.
"Many are Of the opinion that one or
more grades can, and ougt to be added
TO our present course Of studies without
additional cost, which think can be
done. We have the room, the teachers
and the scholars; what more il wanted?
"a party WAS taken to task the other
day for suggesting that music should be
aud made more feature OF ;
the schools. Indeed, il is considered an
indispensable adjunct to the studies OF
the school room. Can this be done with
out extra expense2 Most certainly 1t
,an. " ould employ more teachers cap
able of giving instructions in that line.
4 nothing more than to start and carry |
through familiar tunes. The better the
teachers can introduce vocal music, the
Iuicker and oitener would vote TO