The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-01-18
THE MINNEAPOLIS JOURNAL.

the ambition has been too towering. for 1t
contemplates the Introduction of too large
number Of studies In the public schools in
order to keep UP with the progress of the
world. This Is largely useless endeavor.
The public school Is intended 20 train young
minds in the art of sS:.ay anN of finding out
things. This report reveals the irrational
tendency of some educators, but it is full of
most profitable suggestion, and the record Of
the experience of practical educators. The
tendency to practical education in the public
school system is distinctly noticeable in some
of the addresses Among these is notable
delverance by Bishop Spalding of Peoria on
Progress in Education" As usual, some Of
the speakers undertook to resent the charge
that the public schools teach too many fads.
1t is true that fads have place and it
would be marvellous If they did not. where
there are SO many persons in control who
have divers theories which they believe will
wholesomely revolutionize public education.
But it should be remembered that theories in
education, as in other things, have to come
first. good deal Of the theory and practice
Of the old education had no value under the
changed conditions, and they had to so. Not
a few of the present modern methods Will,
within fifty years. be found entirely made
quate 1t is not improbable that reform Of
the future will be the cutting down of the
curriculum from it's present large dimensions.
There was much interesting discussion OF
manual training at Detroit, some advocating
it in the primary school. Its Importance is
thoroughly appreciated by the pedagegic pro-
fession generally for moral as we'll as practl-
cal purposes. The subject of simplihed SPELL
ing received the usual attention. large
number of the teachers apparently are in
clined to favor the radical program of the
American Pathological Association. The Ma
tional Educational Association has committed
itself to thru for through; "thruout'' for
throughout "catalog" for catalogue, and
dropping the final ''ue" in other words of the
kind tho for though 'thoro" for thor
ough; program for programme, and substi-
tuting s.f' for nh These are mild and
harmless changes compared with those pro-
posed by the Spelling Reform Association.
The school superntendents and the teachers
are sharply divided on this question, and the
National Educational Association Will hnd
breakers ahead If it attempts to force upon
the country the spelling OF the re1ormers'
who spell newspapers ''niuzpepurz'; using
..yuzfng"; language, Hangover; Christian,
"Crischan"; precious "preshos'; and SO on.
! The proposition was strenuOusly opposed by
many able speakers at Detroit. VINO ques-
toned the right of the spelling reformers 10
attempt to break down the uniformity OF
printed English literature. Child study was
discussed and the report faVorlng 2 natlohal
university on the non-governmental plan
known as the Washington Memorial lnstitu-
| tior. utilizing the valuable scientific colec-
lions and libraries at Washington, was
sharply ant agonized by some as not eembody-
ing the true idea Of a national university.
| In this volume will be found every phase
| of the educational problem amply discussed,
not emitting Indian education, the library
movement, and the education of the dear.
| hind and feeble minded The addresses OF
Superintendent Metcalf Of the Boston public
| schools on the meaning of the library move
ment. and that of j. II. Garfield, librarian
| of Columbia university, on Public Libraries
and the Public Schools are informing and
stimulating