The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-09-06
rHE oKILp.
FSeA Ter en- Ample OppSrtuAlty rsr ne
creation.

To fMB EDTToR or TRK SvN-Str: Ia
hundreds OF towns and villages all over the
country school boards. taxpayers and voters
generally are meeting this month for Their
annual dlscnssIon N TO the most advantagsous
way In which 70 invest money for the educa-
ton OF the children and 70 decide how much
money 10 needed 10 carry out the plans
adopted. Il will DO mated that where the
public schools are concerned the general
feeling Ia not to soc how much money can
be raised and 10 spend II In this way or that.
but TO decide FIRST OF all on plans for the high
est interest Of the students and then to
raise every cent needed TO pay Tor them.
In all but q few moth eaten, unprogres-
sivs' communities there Ia little or no opposi-
ton to the natural increase. year BY year, Of
the school tax. Co.
The millions Of boys and girls who have
attended the common schools OF this country,
say for the last quarter century, have had
advantages which their parents and grand
parents never dreamed Of. and the unprece-
dented strides the country has made during
the past decade or 90 amply attest the value OF
spending all the time and money that can be
probably invested in building up our system
Of public education. All Americans think OF
better schoolhouses; improved lighting and
ventilation; desks and chairs made 90 that the
boys and girls can study In reasonable COM
fort, instead Of being made more and more
uneasy "a the day passes: OF the gradual
disuse Of corporal punishment ave In fla
grant cases; Of the introduction OF such SEMI
pastimes as the study OF music: Of physical
development In the field and in the gymna-
stun: Of lectures. concerts and other free
entertainments provided at public expense
for pupil and parent alike: Of medical over
sight OF pupils. Of instruction In matters
hygienio tending TO make the students health
Ter men and women in after years, therefore
more valuable to the State a. productive
citizens. The multiplication Of libraries allied
with good books. the opportunities for skilled
technical instruction In various fields OF work.
the increased feeling thesf citizens in schools
have that some day they will be called upon
to bear responsibilities OF government-all are
payers feel that they are doing the very best
they car. for the children. But are theyr Let
US look tor a moment at some OF the dangers
education may have In store.
In the first place the one great danger that
comes to mind is that there Is laid out for the
~exhausting that II may nulllfysto alarge.extent
the benefits expected IN ereirom. That is the
fronts mature society In this country. We
are nHstllns TOO much: all save a few phi
t tHSsSpe eSen w sst lS SU sitht care or the { hsa 2 Z E nsEosl
In society. 70 church, too. many Americans
ally we are ambitious for our children: we
o %S1t tasn s to have ~ y tie Esry best = education
Sc the more fully eaulpped for a wen rounded
simio%st any onseiVsbIe duty the tbsy % NAV nyui be
the world: Every once in a while some
IN q medical Journal calls sharp attention
to the increase Of nervous disorders among
large percentSSe ~ pmnilS Snd 49, : 49,
Of waning. Il e seldom listened to and
less often needed by parents or teachers.
be less necessary were the children expected
70 eHpend their energies in fewer directions
during school hours and afterEard but such
one phase OF the matter. however. I think
most intelligent persons will agree; and that
i or SI Iess. 'Ri H spends STe S SCSr. = a S dny IN a.: scSo o
not be encouraged or permitted to do
Five hours Of school work indoors to n
growing boy or girl is surely equal to eight
hours work for a man Of 80 OF. 40. and the
Once or or factory c1G "S csn . .HT n AM sir II ' SoS;
better than Ave hours OF school,.
under equal conditions Of light. ventilation,
work are usually running brands or other
,,Sr tSs pupil . be comPeIled 70 remain quiet.
mental strain Of study ls added one or
work we are mo soin4 70 TOO 'T Far. tn 2ssr dO eG%s
wrathfuily cOnoenLns this home work. as
part Of each evening In prspsrins lessons
l Is anneossSafy and Il IN H he %i Sns run Sn rdsf.
lively harmful.
am swsTe q the fact that not a few
hey think the children cannot learn their
.essons WITHOUT Il. but these gentlemen are
mistaken asG II suSh is really the case the
links he Or she has one great. single task.
but that is only part, perhaps he less %sciL mpor.
part. Of the work. The teachers fifst
iuty is to teach the pupil how to study. al
seen desire for kno Wedge in one en dir.c Tisn "a
'Sn st :gs n The recitation Z merely a proof
Wish to minimize the value OF the mental
.tction coincident.with competition In class
,sSitsf IL fas but i.. . I EsTsSt that ths the I Te,SIt:tiISS
nd assistance in the study itself OF the lesson. |
{ parents who know their children are over:
hey might do much to sb bsp'y The sn Gn% 1ftcsds s1
OF home work which Is so widespread.
II AZ " y general ana tshi Ies: i ] rspr .scI FER children
'oarss s ~ e oSsr fcE t fSs di:sSSdi' F sfts5 sSaSsl
,sEsSts xb IN The tS,oS Ss = q Backward children:
hould not be expected 70 teach them them.
elves. When y child gets out Of school FOR
he day his or her work for that day shoiid
g over so far as school work Il concerned.
hey should be free to come home with a
bout OF Joy and TO race around like apy
ther young animals until bedtime; and their
athers and mothers should insist upon this
II the school board cannot or will
ot adhere TO such a reasonable proposition
ls time 70 choose a board that will do 80.
NEW YORK. September S. r.