The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-06-18

Folk Miller Chlldrey CO.. lol ~. Bfoad
polk Miller Drug Co, s34 r. Main
Street, Richmond. va
creased salaries. all contribute directly to I'm
provement. but longer terms u Of the same
imperfect kind OF work a,s that now prevail
Ing n many Wou and n9 no .hs duration
Of the short term that calls at first for at
tention. 1t would double the inereas. N es,
teachers and nj the same time TO lengthen
the term. II the quality OF the work OF a I'VE
or six months te1n can , be firs, im n ha
ought to be done. On the other hand, II the
work cannot be improved without At the same
should be promptly and cheertully met But
let us be sure the quality Of the instruction
Is going to be improved whatever else NO Ss
work cannot be first improved without length
ening the term before we attempt both at one
IL Improvement in quality is 10 be the first
endeavor, 1t Is Important that the defects %, o.
the primary work IN rIrn n sshpo DOL ~
remedy Ills until convinced Of their existence
and their true character end to convince ga a
shrewd, honest, practical farmer we must on:
facts not mere theories
Let It he said at the outset that the teachers
Of many Of our rural public schools consttu te
be held wholly or perhnps even largely re- re-
sponsible for the Imperfect results OF their
4 a 4
represents an actual fitness considerably below
Its face value. that is not necessarily the fauit
Of the RECIPIENT Il csrsif lea, are secured az
sent. 1t argues, for one thing. a pressing de-
mand greater than the corresponding compe-t
tent supply. The demand, too: may be not for
the best duality Of teachers but merely for a.
Ii the teacher have not acquired q profess
sional pride. It being not ready OF acquisition
in grossy adverse circumstances; II the conf.
munity be not particularly interested In I'M
example OF it's beneficent Effects; IL the trus-
tees seldom or never view the unsealed walls
and leaky roof Of their temple /, OF Learning,
superintendent never darkens the door of the
school because OF lack5iof interest," press OF
business, or the fact that he gets his salary
anyhow: IL the children attend spasmodisally
or not at oil. because OF their own and their
parents Indifference: * the salary be Tar from
seeming either attractive or complimentary TO
fine qualifications and high aims; II nobody
be interested enough TO be really. actively.
effectively interested. who Is to blame but the
sovereign people Themselves? VI
In this land where Iniajorlties CONTROL the
schools ana community has and and continues y, 70
those who complain of public school conditions
In their own communities are complaining Of
An intimate educational acquaintance OF six
teen years with the product Of the public
schools OF a number 81 states, state. ne H1a anl
chusetts. leads to certain definite conclusions
Of which the following are samples IL.
/ II J..
i from our rural schools cannot read. They may
pronounce words with fair .correctness, but
having no concept, correspond!ng TO many OF the
words they are able to pronounce. they often
fail to grasp the thought OF even compare
lively simple prose. Surely mere pronunciation
retInue OF the diacritical marks go dear to
some. is not only unworthy the name OF =, read.
but Is s prsp e ts aor
II Day after day. year alter year. the patient
or impatient teacher and 1.-THE untntereste e.
tricaeies Z q English grammar grammar Sometimes
teacher and pupils emerge both Of them uncer-
tain whether concerns iangd d n or
| Improbable treadmill known to history. The
pupil after4years OF it;is often unable to dis
curacy TO translate into Latin the simplest
sentences without further instruction IN the
elements Of Egsh while as Tor nd
pressed, not one year In an experience OF
sixteen brings to mind a respectable success
country pupil school. @
g. In arithmetic. the memory of rules and
the aim at answers has neen
dent intelligence. Excepting few minds with
a natural aptitude for mathematics, the large
fnatorityiif without an answer to guide their
jugglery Of figures or rule in which to
fit their problem, founder helplessly. OF what
use Is such training for the practical problems
OF life which are superior to rules and un-
accompanied by answers7 If the instruction
given in our country schools were improved so as
average mind unacquainted with the admirable
work OF many of our city schools. there would
be less talk OF compulsory education. for the
creased. ~
These and Their like deficiencies are fundamen-
tai. and II not ultimately corrected as they often
are not, they impair materially the intelligence
OF the citizen. his economic and civic value,
and his Influence in the community. But more
serious than these grave faults themselves
are the effects. on character Of the processes
that produce them It Is matter for regret
SO fully occupy the discussions OF educational
Improvement that comparatively little time
t. Of
For example, the habit once allowed OF read
Ing without Insisting on n clear concept for
thought, is not only hard 10 ' break, but has
a reflex effect In producing an inaccuracy Of
q s9Senntss Of
life and render its victims !ll-eauipped for tho
duties Of parenthood. society and citizenship
artificial, impractical, mechanical and lifeless
methods that have been found and may yet
f9nd the teaching bs Of osr
ject OF instruction. perhaps, In the curriculum
and undoubtedly 80 In communities, where the
home does not provide an atmosphere of correct
usage. ,g5lE 3srisk III N3t4 ssllt III
In arthmete too fer a. t final example
problems to rules. will lack that Initiative and
that real penetratve power OF analysis which
but in life, And II the attainment OF certain
answer be tho only goal OF work. this false
aim will and does destroy Independence Of
mental action. and consequently impairs
pills so mistrained year after year
will actually argue earnestly the correctness
OF work palpably incorrect, for the sole rea son
that It produces the requisite 'answer.'' One
OF the downward tendencies OF frail humanity
is TO discard principles for results to decide
priorI. to argue for the transient good rather
than from the eternal right, and Will any one
be bold enough to say that the method OF
study Just described does not tend strongly
toward this evil result? ~
aim Of education is moral InteIironce 10, G nt
conscience. wealth without integrity, lire With
out Independence and principle produce Grim
tnaAs, high finance robbers. paupers. MI.
. WILLIAM DINWIDDIE,
Greenwood, Va. 7T 4,
Republicans Nominate.