Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-10-27

arithmetic; algebra, astronomy, his
tory, and geography; moral philosophy,
commercial Law. and political economy;
English grammar and composition;
and, also, if required, the French and
Spanish languages by natives of these
countries.
bookkeeping and merchants ac-
counts will be taught in the most ap-
proved and scientific forms.
1.-The school will be conducted, in all
the principal branches according to the
inductive method of instruction, and
particularly so in arithmetic, geogra-
ply, and English grammar
1T will commence about the first of
November.
Albion Office; Messrs Smith and His
lop, Pearl Street: Mr.. Henry r. Mar
carey. Broadway; Mr.. P. Written, Jr,
Maiden Lane.
(SignedD j. Gordon Bennett
an. B.-Application may be made at
las Fulton Street
Recently we surveyed this busy dis
trict of lower New York from the tower
of the Singer building, and were held
for an hour in silent and profound adj
miration of the vast business and COM
mercial activity under our very eyes,
while in imagination we looked out
across the country and saw a broad
expanse of mingled activity,-institu-
tons of business and of education
| scattered everywhere.
Perhaps the personal experience of
| one, r. NJ. Bartlett, a pioneer in the
| organization and management of com
mercial colleges in America. can best
| be used to explain the rise of the bust
hess college. He says that when he
| became CT age he Wishd to know more
of bookkeeping and commercial
practices, but could find no instruction
| He offered to enter business houses
and learn, but was told that proprie-
tors did not want to be bothered. The
predicament in which he was placed
was of not being taken into an Office
unless he knew bookkeeping and could
make a better showing in penmanshl,,
and yet having no place to go and
learn. This condition he determined
| to correct if ever the opportunity
came He went to New York and i'm
proved himself as best he could and
later came to Philadelphia, where he
opened his first school in 1884. From
this date Bartlett devoted his life to
furnishing in school what would serve
as a sort of substitute for apprentice
ship in commercial work.
| 1t is clearly shown that the COM
mercal school has come because
| there was demand for it. The
private commercial school is perhaps
| the best illustration in matters educa-
tional, that Necessity is the mother
of invention The birth of the
American business college was not
clearly recorded: we can best say of 1t,
as of the inimitabe Topsy, it just
grew.
In 1916, about nine-tenths OF
Americans were farmers. The num-
Der of business men was compare
lively small An examination of the
census of 1900 does not reveal what
we would like to know. However. the
I wholesalers, retailers, bankers, manu-
facturers, agents. clerks, bookkeepers,
stenographers, shippers, and profess
sional business men of all classes.
numbered millions.-We are leaving
the estimation of the percentage to the
judgment of those who read and re-
| fleet
| So business and culture were both
represented by schools and colleges.
Culture devised the old academy and
| is responsible for the new high school.
1t is good, important, and necessary.
| Business devised the commercial
school or college. 1t came as a
remedy for a condition; it's purpose,
being. Education for practical life
| 1t is also theoretically sound, and is a
| practical necessity.
The commercial spirit dominates in
America. Do we regret the fact?
| Would it help matters if we did?
Since we have found ourselves a part
of the condition. we accept it as a
| problem The school is not cstab-
lished to create or direct the tenden
| cies of the age, and would no doubt
| fail if this should be attempted;
| therefore, it seems wise for the school
| to adapt itself to the best national
sentiment The United States has
already become factor in great in
dustrial and commercial undertakings
| and in supplying world markets.
Cannot the demands of commercial
education be justified? Is it not time
that the American public schools
necessity OF this department of educa-
ton, when the Federal Government
has organized a department of Com
merce and Labor" and created new
office in the Cabinet?
Business and war have brought
together the ends of the earth, and
by these agencies, India. China, and
ia pan will Dc redeemed to Europe and
America Business is becoming or
gained. ordered. and professionalism.
Exclusive private interests are
gradually giving place to organiza-
tons and corporations: and these. IN
process of justice, will become more
democratic and fit to control economic
life.
In view of this analysis, it is evident
that the pupil who is to understand
modern life at as early an age as is
necessary, must have some, classified
and systematic knowledge Of the COM
pick structure and organization OF
modern industry and commerce and
some insight into its meaning.
We cannot hesitate longer in the