The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1903-09-02

vertical to the slant system has beer
In the case of his two children. both
OF whom were obliged to take up the
vertical system, owing TO the rules
of the school, and they are now en-
deavoring to change and find it most
difficult, and the consequence is
that large part of the time used in
the instructing of the vertical sys
tenn was simply wasted. We will
be glad to see the Spencerian sys.
tenn relnStated.
Frank A. Wild, president of the
state normal school at Moorhead--
In regard to the first point which
you raise | am inclined to the opin-
ion that young mans chances Of
employment are diminished by his
use of the vertical style of penman-
ship. 1t is a significant fact that
about all the business colleges teach
the slant penmanship. Business
men complain that our penmanship
is not properly taught to the boys
in the public schools. The com
plants of the business men make
a long story.
Concerning the second point which
youraise, | merely speak from a
point of view. 1t seems
to me that the matured or charac-
teristic penmanship having it's basis
on the vertical system is more leg
ible and more satisfactory from
every point Of view than a matured
and Characteristic penmanship hav-
ing it's basis in the slant system.
In regard to your third point, l
would say that persons having
learned the vertical system cannot
readily change to the slant, at least
that has been my observation.
The whole question of the teach
ing OF penmanship should receive
consideration at the hands
If the teachers of Minnesota. Pen
manship as taught in the public
schools of Minnesota at the present
time is in chaotic condition. |
believe that the public schools
should do one thing or the other.
They should either teach the verti-
cal penmanship and teach it we'll,
Or they should abandon it altogeth-
err and teach the slant system.
To the first question, Marshall,
Field & Co. state that IF we felt an
applicant had the ability to meet
our requirements the style of pen
would not be factor To
the second question the firm says,
our preference is for plain. run
ming hand, mainly by reason of ra
pidity, enabling a person to accom-
plish greater volume OF work in a
given length of time. To the third
question the firm replies that ''un-
ess expert with pen few persons
can change their style of writing
readily. We do not find it neces-
sary to insist on a change in style
Of writing, but do require improve
nent. Very few boys or girls ap-
plying for employment from gram
mar or high schools can write a
plain rapid hand. "
1t will be seen that all but one
consider that young man S chances
If employment are actually dimin-
shed by his use of the vertical sys-
jem. Mr.. Hewett's answer was
written in vertical or slightly back
land. Three out Of five prefer the
slant, mostly because cit is more
rapid and has character. r." All who
give any opinion say that it is hard
or one to change from the vertical
TO the slant.
Vertical writing has been before
US for several years, nearly long
enough to demonstrate whether it
is an Improvement over the old sys
tenn or not. It certainly has not
met with the success which its in
PRODUCTION was hoped to. produce.
1t would seem that that system
which would give the writer the
greater freedom and produce the
best results in character, rapidity,
and legibility is the system which