The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1905-07-08
DRIFT OF THE SCHOOL.
Plain Talk on Education for
Plain People.
PROSPECT OF NEW INDUSTRY.
Sash and Door FaCtOry--GOOd OppOr-
tunity--Miner Suicides at
Mountain Home.

We know that it is presumptious
in one who never enjoyed the ad-
vantages of even a tolerable COM
mon school education to question
the wisdom or the excellence Of
present-day educational methods
and tendencies. Nevertheless, I'VE
shall venture to put few plain
questions to plain people who are
rearing boys and girls that, in all
probability, will have to earn liv-
ing by the sweat of their brow.
You may talk as glibly as you
please about elevating the race and
chasing the ideals, but the things
that must be looked to first and
foremost are comfortable houses,
decent clothing and three square
meals day. And we want TO say
right here, on the authority of
nearly half century Of observa-
ton, that we never saw race ele-
vltor or an ideal chaser, prating
pously af the beatitudes Of the
higher education, who wasn't as
keen for a raise of salary as a bull
pup Tor new milk.
Now plain friends, let us ask
you, considering the practical ben
e6ts. does it pay to send your boys
and girls to school continuously
from the age of six 10 the age of I8
or 20? In all those years of study
and confinement to your children,
sacrifice and anxiety to yourselves,
are the things acquired worth the
cost? Let US look into the business
closely
Your son for daughler) spends
about one-tenth of his school days
studying physiology and hygiene.
What is the knowledge acquired
really worth? Figure it out. He
spends another tenth of his time
studying rhetoric. What are his
rhetorical accomplishments worth?
HE spends another tenth wrestling
with Algebra. What is his algebra
worth! He spends another tenth
committing to memory the dates of
battles and the names of generals.
What is that worth? For thirty
cents he could buy a book contain
ing more information of that kind
tnan twenty years of school study
could give him. He spends anoth-
er tenth getting d thin smattering
OF Latin that will do him about as
much good as nine words of Choc-
taw. And there is ever so much
more OF that kind of stuff dispensed
IN the public schools, consuming
tue time and the energy of boys and
girls to no profit whatever. We
are not deprecating any branch of
education. All things have their
purpose What we are getting at
Is that the time of average boys
Sno girls and the substance of av-
e'ase parents are being squandered
on nonessentials-wasted on things
'ust In the ordinary life are never
VI any practical benefit. The
.nlng is going beyond reason.
lime was when children were not
constant and overpowering bur-
uen 10 parents from birth to matri-
@ony' There was a period in the
age OF boys and girls when they
were help to the old folks. Faith
20 ana mothers looked forward to
NC uay when sons and daughters
would carry some of the burden.
No"' Tor education's sake, that is
a"cnanglng. The burden of rear
lug a family grows heavier and
us4V'er and the helpful period
H0fter and shorter. 1t used to be
NOmmon to find father and son
"O'king together in field or shop,
~O'ner and daughter together
;uoo'ng ;S and baking. washing and
Aon'ng' Now the old man alone
NsS and hammers and sweats while