The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1903-09-15
AnfBRIcA,s PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

The New York American comes tOrtH
with a very timely editorial on the pub
tic schools, containing a valuable lesson
for the public in general and being help
ful and encouraging both to teacher and
pupil. There are several points in it
that should be beneficial and instructive
TO all classes of people and especially to
those who are opposed to the public
school system and those who think the
public schools are not good enough for
their children. The editorial is repro
duccd below.
AT this time of the year the ntten-
ton of the country is conferred on the
great crops. These crops in their abund-
nnce provide for the welfare of the mo-
1nent.
Ear more important than the crops
which we have to gather now is the
crop which at this season we begin to
plant.
..Thc public schools are opening. mil
lions of children. after a summer OF rest
and play, are fIocking to the teachers
who will plant in their minds positive
knowledge, love of country-all that the
public school should teach.
"Our minds are incapable of conceiv-
ing the value of the world of this splen-
did American system of universal. non
sectarian, free education.
s'In some things we are deficient. We
often neglect the weak for the benefit
of the strong; we allow privilege to
thrive.
eBut in its public school system Amer
len is magnificent.
''rhe American mother has. with in
finite tenderness and affection. watched
the first years of her child's life.
SHE has done all that she can to give
it healthy body. a healthy mind. love
of truth
''rbe child reaches the age when its
mind needs special training, the mental
teaching and care that the mothers Oc-
equations or knowledge does not permit
her to give.
.'And at hand no matter where the
mother may live. there is the public
school ready to carry on the mothers
work.
TN that public school the child, on
terms of equality with all other Amcri-
can children, finds the opportunity to de
velop its mind and fit itself for the best
and highest work OF which it is capable.
Happy are the millions of American
public school children who live under
conditions of true democracy, in the pub.
lie school classroom.
I'm that school there is no rank or
aristocracy, save that of character and
hard worR-of achievement in the spell
ing class, or on the weedy baseball field
beyond the wood-box.
no children
whose parents, through vanity of wealth
or for other reasons, deprive the child
of public school training.
.The unfortunate child brought mp in.
some special school atmosphere of money
or scctarianism has not his fair chance
in the world. He has lacked the mix
ture with all kinds of American children
ON footing of equality.
"And a. a man he will be less equipped
than tho public school child for his strug-
gle with all kinds OF American citizens
on footing of equality.
"As the school opens, every intelli-
gent American, filled with pride in CON
tclnpating our noble national system
of education, should resolve TO do ev'
erything in his power to protect and
foster the public school.
s'He should vote gIndy for more schools,
for better schools
SIZE Should treat with respect the
opinions and the rights of those who
have not yet realized the value of the
American school system. But he should |
resolve to use all OF his influence as
long as he lives in behalf of that system
and against its enemies, however hon
1. 49,