Durango semi-weekly herald., 1901-01-31
BOYS AND
THE SCHOOL
Why the Modern Youth Will
Not Stick to His Studies
and Go to School.
It's "a Job" that Worries
Him Far More Than an
Education.

The Honorable Helen l.. Grenfell is
very busy woman. Her private Of
flee Is never without n visitor, while
the reception room is always crowded.
1t took just three trips to the Capitol
building before could get an audi
ence. Then | owed my opportunity
to some young man who gave up mis-
turn to me. ! have wondered n
great many times since what all those
persons wanted.
1t was very gratifying after being
admitted into the inner chamber to
fin that the person at distance has
an advantage.
Il wish | had known" said Mrs.
Gienfell, regretfully. People who
1--we here can see me at any time. II
is only just that strangers in the city
be given the preference"
The state superintendent gave me a
very courteous and cordial reception.
Her manner was as charming as ever.
More than that. she has an interest
ing personality which you study un-
consciously as she talks.
I'VE are all interested in the ques
tion why so many boys stop school
before graduating" she said 1T is
a problem we have to meet all over
United States"
THE schools get the blam "
said People criticize tham for not
holding the boys In school,
| know. It's not fair, however.
Granting that there are some things
in the school system we should like
for parents who have no control over
their children to expect the teachers
to restrain them perfectly. But they
do"
Then there is another reason.
Boys are less docile than girls. They
are usually eager to be out of school
and be free from restraint. 1t Is
not as easy to reason with the aver
age boy concerning the benefits to bt
derived from his education and pre-
paration for his life work az Il is with
a girl
"Everone is in hurry nowadays" |
suggested
Yes, the tendency of the age tow
ard commercialism is probably one
reason why the boy today is eager
for job He wants to earn money
to have return for his labor In
dollars and cents. Their criticism
that, oh. school don't 10 you any
good. 1t won't help you to set along
in the world, is perhaps rot alto
gether unjust"
There has been so much in the
schools that, outside OF the mental
discipline acquired, has been of little
value. That discipline could have
been obtained in another manner.
Meanwhile, the practical knowledge
| necessary for Il business career has
been entirely lacking. II is along
| this line the school should develop.
We'll, we have made Il beginning
down in Durango" | said "A good
| course in bookkeeping, with short
| hand and typewriting has been put in
with as much manual training as the
| district could afford at present"
81 am very glad to know that" was
the reply When the schools have
done all in their power, their respon
sibility ends
| The trouble is" said. that the
boys who don't want to go to school
don't want to work, eitho". Tbeil
n.ghest ambition seems 10 be to run
the streets. in no very desirable com
pany, as a rule"
yes. and later fill up the reform
schools and thence drift to the peni
tentiary. Do you know that the pro
portion at present is 500 men in the
penitentiary and three women? Tc
me that's very suggestive.
IF the law for truant officers wai
enforced"
Yes, the law Is certainly plair
enough 1t says that a truant officer
should be appointed. 1t Is not ever
optional in districts of the second an(
third classes"
BLUEBELL.