The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1903-03-26
OUR TEACHERS WANTED
Argentina Sends Official to Seek
Normal School Directors.
AMERICAN IDEAS PREVAIL THERE

Twenty-Five Of Our Schoolteachers
Won Success In the Republic and
Caused Demand For GIore-James
X. Fitz Simon VIII Visit Schools
All Over United States For His
Country's Benefit.
Twenty-Five women schoolteachers
went from the United States to the
Argentine Republic few years ago as
missionaries, so to speak, of American
educational methods. The result is
that the schools of the great republic
OF the south are now modelled upon the
system born and developed in this
country AS further result, says the
New York Herald, Argentina has sent
James III. Fitz Simon, director of the
National School of Commerce of Bue-
nos Ayres, as special commissioner to
the United States to make study Of
the latest school methods, to buy school
supplies and to engage seven compe-
tent educators as directors of the new
normal schools that are to be opened
next year.
Mr. Fitz Simon has been in consulta-
ton with Mayor Low and with SUI
perintendent Maxwell of the New York
schools and from both of them re-
ceived promises of assistance in max
ing his mission a success. Before re-
turning to South America he will make
tour of the United States, studying
the common school systems in the va
rious states He will also visit the
universities where thirty Argentine
youths are being educated.
at is quite a compliment to the
United States" said Mr. Fftz Simon
the other day, that I should be sent
here on my present mission. How
ever, this is no experiment that is pro-
posed by Argentina. Cur entire school
system is founded upon the common
school system of the United States
and, in fact, was built up by Yankee
girls
president Sarmiento, who held his
high Office from 1869 to 1886, was an III
innate friend of the late Horace Mann.
whom he admired above all other men
In the world. He saw the need OF
schools in Argentina, and he appealed
TO Horace Mann to assist him. The re-
suit was that twenty-five American
girls were sent to US. They came from
various cities. mostly from Boston and
st. Louis, and without exception they
were successful in their work. They
are highly appreciated and respected in
Argentina, and our only regret is that
we have no more of them. They have
helped to organize our schools. and they
have taught that friendship with the
United States is one thing which Ar
gentina must have.
Now am commissioned to study
the normal and commercial school
methods in use here. | am to purchase
school supplies and apparatus, and
finally l am to engage seven school di-
rectors We want six principals or di-
Eactors of normal schools and one direc-
tor of a reform school. The last men,
toned is to be a great institution. There
viii be 1900 juvenile delinquents in at
tendance 1t will be conducted along
Industrial and agricultural lines. Ar
gentina wants only the very best tai
ent, and nothing less than that will be
accepted. Each Of the men whom I will
engage will receive 800 gold a month
and a house and Il servant. Our gold
dollar is worth about SO cents
Next to Spanish English is the most
common language heard in Buenos
Ayres. Americans have no trouble in
conducting business there because OF
this, and it is for this reason as well
that the directors who will be engaged
to go to Argentina need not of necessi-
ty be able to speak Spanish, though, all
other things being equal, Of course
shall give preference to those who
know the Spanish tongue.
81 was chosen for this mission be-
cause of the fact that | am in full sym
PATTY with what is known in Argentina
rs the American idea, and because
English is my mother tongue. shall
return to Buenos .Ayres in March when
our schools open"