The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1908-04-24

naLoly lew SFSuluSo dllCi w otu ", hS
entered a social settlement hall where
he met George Bellamy under whose
influence he gained better ideas OF
Justice in America. Later, the boy
studied law, was admitted to the bar,
and soon began to attract attention.
He was appointed assistant prosecu-
tor in the very ward where he had
met the Gear" and was able in a
short time to destroy the influence
of this boss. In 1908, it was due
largely to Manuel Levine that Mayor
Johnston was able to regenerate the
politics of Cleveland.
This was one foreign-born citizen
saved to the Republic, but what about
the many others who were corrupted
by the "Czar?"
There is now a movement on foot
to give the alien proper yet practical
education in our language and laws.
In number of the large eastern
cities, night schools for adult for
eigners have been established and
have met with such success the de-
mand has increased greatly. Soon
these schools will be established In
every part of the land.
Another force for evil is found in
the many unwh holesome accounts in
the newspapers and magazines OF to-
day. The detailed and offensive re-
ports of crimes published in glarlng
headlines, readily attract the atten-
ton of the young. These suggestive
recitals awaken a morbid curiosity,
impair the taste for better reading
and produce a demoralizing effect.
Added to this baneful influence OF
current literature are the graphic ad-
vertisements of the stage upon the
bill-boards of our streets. The con-
tinued, display of such pictures as
"The Girl of the Streets cannot help
but bring harmful results. IT. is
claimed by those who defend pro-
ductions of this character that these
plays teach lessons of unselfishness
and heroism in humble life, but ii
they do, they must drag the mind
through the mire to accomplish IT,
These are only few of the evils
that threaten the young. TO offset
to inculcate lessons of morality and
to teach principles of good citizenship
are the first of the duties to be per
formed by the public school. The
responsibility of the school cannot be
avoided for, as it has been shown, II
is often the only place in which many
children learn to do right. The state
ment made in our. association MOI
long since that the school has nc
moral responsibility resting upon II
is false-utterly false, and the teach
ers who do not enter the work allVe
to the moral obligations upon then
have no business in the profession
| The sooner such teachers get out o.
are showed out, the better for thu
school and the community
AS special attention should bt
given to religious and moral train
ing, through what medium can sucf
instruction be impaired best? Fo
this, no subject Is better adapted
than history First, history is a pop
ular study. Why? 1t is a. recital o
i the achievements of the human rae
"a story, and who does not love
story? Second, it is true story o
romance, adventure, heroism ant
stern reality, running through man
books and chapters, ever varied AM
interesting, each with it's own mora
A lesson, so clear and simple, tn
Youngest may understand; SO con
vincing even the "callow" youtl
feels it's force, for he knows thes
accounts are not mere Sunday schoC
stories written for his benefit.
J However, it is not claimed her
that history-and we include also 1t
| kindred subject ciyics, is the onl
study that possesses an ethical value
} Literature is so closely allied wit
: history that it is not always possibl
, to separate the two, but as pure III
= erature is designed to please, it al
peals to the aesthetic nature an
} thereby gives instruction less direc
ly. Studies in science and matht
t matics can be made to contribute
g Constant insisting upon correct re;
r soning and of absolute accuracy
e mathematical problems Is of itself
Y moral training not to be ignored.
}. History is recommended furtht
d because of the excellent opportunit
it affords to study biography
Lives of great men all remind us
! We can make our lives sublime"
y Here to the youth may indula
in hero-worship of which he Is
fond. The careers of Washingto
= Alfred the Great, Florence Nightil
+ gale, and also others furnish stim1
+ lating ideals. Children have di