The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1908-09-19
Belle q. butcher, in Politics,
Says the Children Are "Ap-
pailingly ignorant"
CRlTICISES MRS. EAKINS
IN LETTER TO THE STAR
Communication May Rouse a
Pretty Fight Among Women
and Politicians.

Candidate MacClintock, for the Ar
lington Board of Education, has placed
Belle G. butcher, of 5 Alpine place,
Arlington, in the field as an active po-
litical worker for him.
AS president of the Arlington Junior
Sunshine Society she has addressed the
following communication, which may
make a stir in Arlington, to THE
EVENING STAR:
10 tho Editor of the Evening star:
Dear Sir-I hope you will grant me
space in your valuable paper to re-
assure my numerous friends, Who have
given me notice of their disappolnt-
nent, that L have not deserted the
children's cause and desire to state the
exact situation. Having started the
question by announcing hat my inti-
mate relations with all the children of
Arlington gave me positive knowledge
of the defects of the present system
of teaching, finding it entirely super
fetal, utterly lacking in the essentials
OF an education, and the result ap-
palling ignorance of even the rudi-
ments.
II, as linguist and educator, am capa-
BILE of judging of the defects, as many
come to me for aid. Of course, L
was willing to serve on the Board of
Education, but found upon consulta-
ton with one Of our leading politicians
that had been ferestalled by the re
luctant candidate"
Knowing already the views held by
Mrs. Eakins, as eyinced by the pubic
exhibition of her entire satisfaction
and absolute approval of the present
system Of education as taught, l lay
state here that Mrs. Macarthur also
approves. Both having taught it. they
look upon it from the teachers point
of view entirely.
I interviewed Mr.. MacClintock and
found him fully aware of the depressed
state of knowledge possessed by the
children and DESTROYS of lettering the
conditions of affairs at once. He CO.
incides with my views. But l never
could have suggested anything SO OK
actly fitting the case, SO thoroughly
sensible and practical as did he. lie
advocates that there shall be three
Women inspectors of schools, recognize
ing the need. l am to be the first one
APPOINTED. The practical work of the
schools supervised and done by women;
the routine work of the board by the
men. as heretofore. The question Is
solved. The evil can be remedied at
once. I was overjoyed that another
year would not be wasted.
NV. political friends inform me that
Il is necessary for me to correct the
= erroneous impression that prevails, NY
silence on the subject indicating that |
approve of Mrs. Eakins, whom esteem
highly. No, most emphatically no! We
have had too much teaching; we can
afford to sacrifice any more children to
the beautiful theoretical system OF I'm
parting knowledge usually. We want
education now. Teaching has proven
an utter fallacy.
What the majority of the parents de-
sire, Is that sight reading be ellml-
uafed: the alphabet, sounding letters,
smelling, word building, as the natural
and only rational method of learning
10 read. Spelling taught by syllables,
~pronouncing while spelling, dennltlons
an readers, words studied In readlhS
lessons, thereby acquiring them III
their proper connection. Absolute ia
miliarity with the first nine rules IN
arithmetic. In fact, right about
face" and resume the method that mas
stood the test of generations. That
every child recite every lesson every
dav. review and composition or letter
every Friday. Promotion dependent
upon average marks, no nerve-destroy
ing examinations.
We want our children as well aple
to spell. read, write and cipher as lheir
perents. We ask nothing more-We OK
act nothing less. Now, my Irlenus'
rally around the cause OF educator.
Help the children! An education IS
their birthright; are they receiving T.!
Indorse Mr.. MacClintock and you WIN
have three women doing practlcal
work in the schools. A mar OF IDEAS
on the Board of Edecation and the
children will rise up and eall you
blessed.' BELLE G.. BUTCHER,
The Children's Friend.
rIf Mrs. Eakins and Mrs. Macarthur
SseIre to reply to Mrs. butcher Ilih
EVENING STAR win be pleased 10
give them space.-Editor.l