East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1905-04-07

Various cities in the Pacific North
wset are arranging to send the grad
uating classes of their high schools
to the Lewis and Clark exposition
opening at Portland, June l. Thus
is the value of an international ex-
position as an adjunct to education
recognized. The graduates will be af-
forded an excellent opportunity, not
only to study the educational work of
other states and foreign countries,
but to see the products of civilization
the world over and to observe the Gus
toms and habits of life of many races
that will be represented at the fair.
Relative to the educational exhibits
of an exposition, its chief value is in
the opportunity afforded for compar-
isons. A brief review of previous en-
terprises of a character similar to the
Lewis and Clark centennial shows
conclusively that the educational dis
plays were productive of results that
exceeded the most sanguine expecta-
tions of their promoters. The estab-
lishment of the school for Industrial
art at the South Kensington museum
was the result of the Crystal Palace
exhibition in London in 1851.
The educational exhibition at the
Centennial exposition of 1876 led to
the introduction of manual training
into the public schools of this coun-
try-the institution of shopwork as a
part of the curriculum of technical
schools which has rendered possible
the marvellous advance of the United
States in arts and crafts
The reorganization of primary ed
ucation in France following the Paris
exposition of 1878; the rapid growth
of manual training and Industrial art
instruction as result of the impetus
given by the Chicago Worlds fair
of 1898, and the action of the French
government in arranging. to send stu
dents annually to this country for the
study and investigation of our indus
trial and commercial methods as a
result of the United States educational
display at the Paris exposition of
1900. These results prove that the
influences of an international expo
sition are not to be underestimated.
1t is not to be expected that every
exposition will mark a noticeable
change in educational methods even
in one department, but no one can
anticipate the results OF it's influences.
Aside from the educational features
of the Lewis and Clark exposition, the
visiting students will find much to
supplement their high school CLEAN
ings, in the displays of foreign coun-
tries in particular, inasmuch as these
displays will be very instructive and
will serve to bring the students IN
touch with nations peoples and GUS
toms of which they have read.
The proposal of cities and smaller
communities in the Pacific Northwest
to send their high school graduates
to the exposition is most commend
able, and the example might well be
emulated by every section that has
college, an academy or high school,
Hearty cooperation of the railroad
companies in extending special rates
for such excursions is assured.
Upon their arrival at the exposition
the high school students will find
the officials of the centennial excel
lent hosts. Every effort will be made
to make the stay of these young Wis
itors pleasant one, and they will be
extended numerous courtesies which
will enable them to see the exposition
to their best advantage.