Evening journal., 1907-06-11
MR.. REED ON EDUCATION.

MIR. REED ON EDUCATION.
M R. A. S. REED, in a letter printed on Sum
a day. discusses Interestingly the educa-
tonal question as il relates to the public schools.
Mr.. Reed seems to imply that many public school
teachers are not capable, and therefore their sal
aries should not be advanced. OF course we pre-
sumo that any increase in the salaries OF teachers
would be based upon their capabilities, but even
the poorest OF teachers are not receiving over
compensation. But poor teacher is dear at any
price The standard of teachers has, we believe,
been gradually raised and the local public schools
are advancing in this respect Certainly Super
intendent Twtmyer because Of his long educa-
tonal training and his own energy in keeping
abreast Of modern educational work, is equipped
for the position he holds, and is working inces-
sanity to elevate the tone of our public schools.
But really hrst-class teacher is not easy to Sc
cure at a low price. They are snapped up by the
colleges and higher institutions Of learning
Mr. Reeds criticism Of the educational meth
ods OF the public schools is applicable to other
cities as well as to Wilmington and the objec-
tions he raises have long been the subject Of de
bate. Mr. Reed evidently believes that the larger
element Of our people should be educated and
trained for the practical affairs OF every day life;
that not all young men can enter the professions
or engage in mercantile or business pursuits And
he is right But the difficulty is that many par
ents, and especially those who have done well in
their own avocations, desire their children to
enter something different to become a profess
sonal or a business man. Many good mechanic
or worSngman is spoiled in the attempt to make
out of him professional man. And such lose
from a pecuniary standpoint also Good me-
chanics in these times get more pay than
many OF the army Of people employed as clerks
or doctors or lawyers or ministers who eke out
bare existence There is a false notion that there
is something indefnably more elevating in
being clerically employed than in working at a
trade or in a real wealth producing occupation
For this parents are chiefly responsible.
The great mass Of our people should receive a
good education in the common branches. They
should receive practical instruction in the trades
They should receive instruction in civics, in
ethics, in those things that fit them for good
citizenship In this branch OF instruction it
seems our present educational methods are lax.
Mr. Reed gives list OF subjects in which he
thinks the public school children should be in-
structed. Most Of them are, we believe taught
in the public schools Some of the topics to
which Mr.. Reed objects are useful IN their way
conducive to mind training And after all
even common school education embraces both
the training of the mind well the acquiring
OF practical knowledge
Just how far public school education should
extend is another subject Of much debate. Ger
tain it is that the high schools afford many a
young man an opportunity to obtain higher ed
ucation that he otherwise might not secure.
After ALL however much rests with the boy him
self A boy with the right material in him.
will work out his own salvation, regardless Of
his environment. 1t may be more difficult
task, but he will get there in The end.