Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-06-07
EDUCATIONAL METHODS


The progress Of education In utah ID
very encouraging We congratulate
the students Of the public and the pr'-
yate schools, academies and colleges
on the success which they nave
achieved also the teachers ana prlhcl-
pals Of those establishments on nehoiu-
ING the fruits OF their labOrs. Utah IS
not behind any Of her sister states OF
equal age, population and wealth IN
evidences of the great value placed up
ON education by her citizens. Indeed
there are some very thoughtful people
who regard the educational movement
in Utah as being rather excessive ana
trending in a direction beyond the
means and the necessities Of the state
That. however is a question which the
majority will have to decide.
There Is a matter for serious consid"
Grafton associated with our methods
II is this. The tendency In all our
schools and colleges appears to be In q
direction away from the ordinary occu-
pations OF the working people The
spirit Of the training our young folks
receive, is to inspire them to look to
the professions for their means OF tenn
poral support and advancement II
this continues, as It promises to do
with increased pressure where Is the
community 10 look for Its ploughmen,
harvesters, fruit-rasers, mechanics
and ordinary laborers, and for It's do
nestle help, dressmakers, mllllners and
female workers In other necessary de-
partments OF home life?
We are not among those who believe
that education OF Itself units anybody,
necessarily, for any Of the common
vocations or ordinary occupations on
the contrary, a trained laborer or a
mechanic whose mind has been cultl-
waited by intellectual effort. should be
better qualified for the position he has
to FIJI than one who Is ignorant and
uhlearned. SO with lady young or
old, who engages In some ordinary
branch OF service, Education Is not at
fault IL there is a failure to supply the
needs OF society In these directions,
Mo-. maud 40. ,aat AVIAN lha eha 1oW ~
the smallest obstruction In the way OF
our educational progress The fault, II
such there be, must be looked for at
It's true source.
We fear there Is not sufficient value
placed upon the labor that is absolutely
necessary to the building up OF stable
community. Work Of the every day
kind Is not regarded with favor Stu
dents are encouraged to prepare them
selves for those positions which are ac-
counted more worthy Of their efforts
than those to be found on the farm or
In the workshop. They are told to
aim high" That is no doubt quite
proper for pupils who have such talents
as will enable them 70 reach the objects
Of the ambitions which are thus pro-
noted. But only few are able to soar
to such exalted points, therefore, encour-
agement should be given to the ordinary
student 10 regard as honorable and
praiseworthy success In the common
walks OF life, which may be better at
talned by means Of scholastic learning
than without H.
II Is evident that the professions, as
they are called, are being crowded more
and more with ordinary minds that
cannot reach eminence, while the ranks
Of necessary labor IN other directions
are being depleted. This is more partic-
ularly conspicuous as to female help
and domestic service, While young men
trained at school for higher pursuits"
come to despsa manual labor the
young ladies, also taught to"alm high"
nav NbHhNiAitN ANl Allt WIN NhlNll II
necessary in the home and for anything
so low as house-cleanng, brcak-mak-
Ing, cooking and other essentials to
everyday comfort.
Manual training for both sexes Is one
OF the important features of true elu-
cation, to which more attention win
have 70 be paid In the future than IL
has hitherto commanded and the dig
nifty and worth Of the labor neelful TO
build and strengthen me foundations
OF society, should be urged by precept
and example, 80 that the minds " the
youth Of this community may be fully
impressed with fits truth and Import
ance. When boys and girls return from
the higher establishments OF learning
10 their homes, untitled for the work
which has TO be done on the farm in
the garden, IN the house. and in yari-
Gus ordinary places and capacities, It Is
likely TO create and foster a prejudice
against those institutions which ought
not to exist. and which we believe a
proper effort on the part Of our proml-
nent educators will be sufficient to dis
slpate and 10 prevent
Go on with the good work. teachers
and professors, and rejoice over whai
you have done. and the prospects OF
what you may do. It Is a splendid la
Dor TO train the youth Of Utah in th'
way Of intellectual advancement ans
TO promote improvement in all the al
fairs Of life. May you be encouraged II
your tolls, not only by'fair remunera
ton for your valuable services. but b
the conviction that you are appreciate
by the best people on earth and WI
gain eventually your reward In HEAVIER