The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-03-23
WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK
The cowbeIl or the School Book

Inc SoWpeII or tne Scnoot BOOK.
TO the Editor Of The Journal:
In the issue of T h e u n a Of Mon
day, the 18th inst, appears communi-
cation from Mr.. A. w. Rankin, which
might entitle him to sit in the front row
Of humorists were it not for the fact that
we have always been in the habit of TAX
ing him seriously. ~
1t seems immensely funny to think of
turning our children loose with cowbells
about their necks, letting them play
"choo choo'' until they are old enough ito
go to college, and have not the least
doubt that when they got through COL
lege they might be able to spell name"
In more different ways than the college
friend he speaks Of. -.
lie singles out exceptions and makes
them apply as illustrating the general con-
d1tion of things, which is not a fair prop,
osition. That Mr.. Rankin was turned.
loose as the efficient state graded school
inspector after doing a few stunts with
the reader and speller is an exception,
and only proves his ability and good for
tune. ~ =, 49, -
Mr.. Rankin says, "As far as the COM
mon branches, spelling, reading, ETC., are
concerned, there is no evidence that they
are not as well done now as in the good
old days" AS an educator in the effort
TO uphold his own work, and as matter
OF policy, he may regard it in that light,
but believe that nine-tenths of the, pa
rents who own the children will disagree
With him. He says children spell better
than their. parents as evidenced by the
excuses brought for hardness and abb
sence. One-half of the parents in Min
nesota who are writing excuses now were
in Norway, Sweden, Germany or some
other foreign country twenty-five years
ago, SO that does not prove anything.
He says: "One may come to the conclu-
That cNUho11S hon r@~iy,
ers, anyway" have six boys, five at
school, and the way feel now I am bet
ter satisfied to see them with school
books in their hands than cowbells about
their necks, because, they are making
eminently satisfactory progress in their
studies, and I can see no advantage in
adding the cowbell to the din of their
present healthy exuberance. '"'- To-:
Just recently I saw a note written by a
sweet girl senior which read in this
wise: Il would Of come last night only
I had excepted another invitation She
is distressingly healthy, she dances de-
lightfully, she is skilful at cards and she
can work sweet CONNECTIONS in doiies.
She was probably started out on the
''cowbelp' curriculum, but / do not be-
| lieve. Mr.. Rankin would recommend her
| as teacher in any of the graded schools
| he inspects. SIRE -
He cites William Of Orange as being
able to misspell words in seven langua ges.
WE'LL that is going back $50 syears:.I do
not believe Noah knew much about the
principles of photography but if William
of Orange were to apply for a job in Min
neapolis to-day he might possibly. join
! the white wings contingent on Nicellet
! avenue. unless he posed as freak in his
1 ability to misspell in seven laguages. H.
| Mr.. Rankin further says: ''You may 20
right through the old narrow curriculum
and there is no Saving grace. in it for the
little spindle-legged child of our cities
1t won't give him what he needs-st,lrdi
ness. We are neglecting in a frightfu]
way the physical training Of the child
That is the point the people should cry
| out about And that is the point aimed at
in basketry..' That reminds me of the
story told of a gentleman who passed by
! a church one, Sunday evening in which the
! choir was singing, while on the outside the
! crickets were loudly chirping. Passing a
house next door to the church where a
lady was sitting on the steps, he re-
: marked, ''How loud they sing tonight, 81
meaning the choir. eyes, she replied
having the crickets in mind, land they say
they do it with their hind legs.'' I fail tc
see wherein basketry will remedy the
| spindle -leggedness'' Of the child, as he
/ certainly does not weave with his legs
and for that matter can imagine no more
nerve prostrating effort for both the
l SHsSoA"OA
plicated patterns of basketry. A woodpile
in the school yard. would afford better ex-
ercise and Of more practical nature than
all the basketry. - \.
Mr.. Rankin and thoroughly agree upon
one point, and that is that cooking, sew
ling, carpentry, horticulture, etc, are
some of the most desirable features thai
could be placed in the school curriculum
but most seriously object to eliminating
one iota of the fundamental principles OF
ieducation, because If spelling, arithmetic
reading and the like are neglected an,
more than they are now we shall soor
have nation of manual laborers only
because there will be nothing upon which
to build the superstructure of a higher ed.
ucation. s.>es - ..-.-a: :. :. - :
This is not written in a. spirit of bitter.
ness, but in a spirit of conference. as MIR
Rankin suggests. I do not believe T car
convince him that he takes a wrong posi-
] ton, and know he cannot persuade m.
out of my belief, but Notwithstanding til,
difference of opinion the good will be slit
! ed from the bad, and some sweet day W.
j trust that happy medium may be reached
that will satisfy every one. Anyway, W.
can pass the matter on to the next gener
alton. A G. Long
I Excelsior MINI. =. ="
AN OFFICE BOYS CAREER
h.