New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-09-01
EVENING SCHOOLS.
Those Who Must Work by Dag
May Learn BIZ Night.

sprung up in answer to the demand for educa-
ton which has been created by thousands who
find themselves too early cut off from the reg
ular channels of intellectual development. Even
ing schools may be divided roughly into four
classes-trade schools. professional schools. bust
ness schools and schools which work for general
culture From the very nature of the evening
school it is patent that each of these classes OBJ
tains its patronage from the hard working.
thoughtful young men and women who see in it
the only available means of improving their
condition. of fitting themselves for positions of
greater responsibility and emolument.
The school of languages is perhaps the newest
development in the evening school field. This
school is of especial value to the newly arrived
foreigner in affording a short road TO the
terry of English, without which the way TO
living. even In this country. is rocky one.
These schools. of course. mainly for those
persons who have received some education in
their own country and who need only a knOwl-
edge of English. For the poorly educated but
Woodworking and ambitious foreigner. to whom
living is the FIRST requisite. elementary classes
are provided in the public night schools.
A TYPICAL CASE.
typical instance of the value of the evening
school came under the notice of instructor in
one of the schools of this city last winter. There
came TO the school bright young man OF about
sixteen years. He had been in this country
about three months His father mother and two
younger brothers had composed the family when
it landed at Ellis Island. The father was cabi-
net maker of the highest class and easily OBJ
tanned work with excellent wages. The oldest
son had visions. OF college course and
was encouraged in his dreams by his father He
entered the public schools and was progressing
finely. when the father was killed by a trolley
car. This threw the support of the whole family
on the shoulders of the young man. He was
good artisan and easily secured employment. but
MS ambition for an education seemed impossi-
Die or fuil attainment He heard of an evening
school. however. where he could obtain the in
struction he desired He managed each week
to take from his wages enough to pay for his
tuition He now bids fair in few years time
10 become full fedged mechanical engineer
and he is doing this in addition to supporting
his mother and brothers. Many similar cases
come 10 the notice of the instructors every wear
About the only argument ever heard against
recreation. He works hard during the day. and
at night, it is said. it is right for him to
shut himself up in hot schOolroom when he
should be out in the air. recouping his tagged
energies. The force of this argument is dimin-
ished by recent departure in some Of the more
advanced schools. They have made provision
for exercise of many kinds. the class work being
interspersed with recreation and calisthencs
This departure has worked so well that in some
Of the schools athletic teams have been organ
lied that nave successfully competed with teams
having better advantages for practice Basket
ball is particularly popular with these night
school athletes
VARIETY OF OPPORTUNITY.
\ partial list of the subjects which can be
studied i'll these schools will serve to show their
development and to give an idea of the wide
range that they cover One may study reading
writing and all of the common branches as well
as the languages. civil. mechanical chemical
electrical and marine engineering. chemistry
law, art, commerce. telegraphy stenOgraphy
bookkeeping and even teaching itself. There are
also schools which give instruction in social GUS
toms and various accomplishments. Besides
these are schools for massage. chiropody. mani
curing, etc
The evening school has heretofore been regard
ed chiefly as an institution for men This is a.
mistaken idea. Many of the schools have sepa-
rate classes and school rooms to accommodate
the growing numbers of women who are Obliged
TO seek a means of livelihood. The feminine eie-
n;cnt in the evening schools has become more
pronounced: the working woman Is growing more
and seif-reliant thinking of herself As an