The Washington times., 1906-07-03
ADMIRAL BAIRD'S
SCHOOL IDEAL
Probable President of New
Board Discusses Mission
of Education.
OBJECT, CITIZEN MAKING
Thinks Rudimentary Branches of Pn-
mary Importance and Should Take
Precedence over Advanced Work,

- should ike 10 see some of the ele-
ments of courtesy, poIiteness and gentle
sdemeanor taught the pupils OF the pub
lie schools OF Washington. Ny eNper-
ience with the younger generation leads
me 20 believe that instruction of this
character is much needed, right here
in his city"
Rear Admiral George w. Baird, one
of the members, and the probable presi-
dent, of the new Board OF Education.
made this statement this morning. in
the course of an interview accorded a
representative of The Times, Admiral
Baird made IL clear that as a matter OF
course, he spoke for himself personally
and without attempting to declare the
policy OF his associates or that of the
board.
When l was a lad" said the admiral.
II was taught that good breeding die
tated the use of the word sir, or
ma am, when one addressed an elder
or a superior. Ay experience OF nearly
fifty years in the navy has confirmed
me in the use of this phrase and con-
vinced me of its value. 1t does not
mean so much in itself. but 1t expresses
a state of mind that is rapidly disap-
being polite The absolute lack OF all
reverence for age and authority. which
! see displayed nowadays, means a
lcssening respect for the law. for the
Constitution. and for the gret Govern
ment under which We live.
Object of Public Schools.
..The object of the public schools. re-
duced 70 its final analysis, is the pro-
duction Of good citizens. II they full
ill their destiny. they. must AT the voters
of the future TO become and remain the
keepers of their own consciences. To
make scholars of their pupils is a sec
ondary consideration.
Inst year there were more than 1000
900 immigrants 10 this country. Many.
perhaps most of them, are ignorant and
unletterod- Their children enter -he
public schools, with the exception of
being taught there the fundamentals OF
American citizenship. just as they are
influenced by the pupils OF American
birth and breeding, so they in turn in
nueuce their mates. mcUlCating UncOu-
sciously aspirations and ideals that are
the products OF an Old World environ,
Wcnt and training.
The task set for the public schools
IS no co Sy one. II we are 10 make over
this foreign srist into good American
as the task is. I believe the public
schools are the proper agency for its
accom- TpliShmcut. But the children must
be caught young. There should be pub
lie schools for all I am in favor OF
the high schools. bat / do not think they
should be suffered 10 interfere with the
primary schools, or that money should
be diverted from primary education for
purposes of higher education. until
every want OF the former has been sup
piled.
Importance OF Grammar and Spelling.
I believe the public schools, first Of
ALL should 90 TO the making of good cit
izens. believe also. however, that
good citizens should be taught TO speak
good English and know how 10 spell
English words. I have been told in
struction in grammar has been aboi-
ished practically in the Washington
schools and I have heard many com
plain s of the inability of the pupils 10
spell correctly relatively simple words.
] don't know how much truth there IS
IN these statements. but il they are true
they demand attention..
MY long service in the navy has
taught me the value of discipline, rigid
ly enforced This does not mean the
rule Of martinez, but the strict OBJ
servance by every person connected
With a system. from the highest to the ,
lowest of the rules for the system !
which have been established and which /
experience has approved. a slack en-
fOrCement OF discipline produces dis
order and decentralization and destroys
respect for authority. This is my /
theory; ! make no effort 10 apply IL IN /
advance to any conditions said 10 exist |
in the public schools here
Arrangements Tor the organization I
meeting of the board will be made !
probably today or tomorrow and the !
meeting itself viii be held very shortly. |
Admiral Baird is anxious 10 leave the I
city for a brief vacation and wants 10 /
get the organization out OF the way be- /
fore he goes. Others of the new MEM |
bers are probably in the same situation. /