The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-04-06
KANSAS CONTENT
PURPOSE OF HIGH SCHOOLS.

There has been a great deal of dis
cussion Of late about the proper course
OF study In the high schools of the
country. Mr.. Cotton, state superin-
tendent OF public instruction in In
diana. Is exerting his influence in ia
vor OF making the high schools of
Indiana less academic and more prac-
tical than they now are. Though an
advocate of higher education he be-
heves that the prime and paramount
object OF the public school system
should be to educate and qualify chill
dren for the practical duties Of life
and Of good citizenship, rather than
to advance them in ornamental
branches or equip them for entering
college. He has issued several bulle-
tins on this subject all arguing in ia
vor of practicaliIng the schools, and
especially the high schools. In one of
them he says:
THE end of every grade of school
it is possible for him to be- It is to
make him live all he can. The grades
are not to prepare for the high school,
but for life; but that which prepares
best for life prepares best for the
high school The high school is not to
prepare for college, but for life; but
that which prepares best for life pre-
pares best for college. The schools
are to be life and the needs of life
should determine the course OF study"
Oue oOSS uOI udV0 To De d pIolCo-
sional educator to recognize the
soundness of this view. Indeed. it is
departure from the practice of too
many educators in extending courses
Of literary and academic branches. to
the sighting or entire ignoring of
more practical ones.-Wichita Beacon.
THE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.
The trouble at the State Agricultural
CyIIr1}naffnO n RESIGNATION
Of President Nichols was not unex-
pected. Although there were other
and perhaps more immediate causes
for friction the real disagreement was
wanted to make the Agricultural col
lege into a general college and uni
versity. The other side has favored
specializing in the study Of agriculture
| and leaving liberal art subjects to the
state university and the state normal
schools. The legislature is always lib
eral in dealing with the Agricultural
college. The difference of opinion Is
as to whether the appropriations shall
be mainly spent in research, 1nstruc-
ton and equipment along agricultural
lines, or whether 1t shall be expended
in building up university of all the
arts and sciences. 1t is time this Ques-
| ton was settled. The state has a I'M
| iversity at Lawrence, normal schools
at Emporia. Hays City and
L
| Baldwin. Topeka, Lindsborg, Winfield
| Emporia and other places. But there
| is only one agricultural college. The
right policy would be for the regents
of the Agricultural college to stick to
| the line for which the institution was
| intended, make the Kansas college al
Manhattan the leading school of its
kind and make II powerful and eff
cient factor In the prosperity OF Sthe
state There would be no stint OF
money if the people knew that II
| would be spent along such lines. The
| farmers of the state would receive Oh
rectly and Indirectly large returns or
| the investment. But they will not look
with special favor on the diversion OF
the appropriations to building up q
university where an agricultural col.
lege. ought to be. The regents OF the
question frankly and decide it at once
| in favor of the farmers keeping the
Agricultural coliege.-Hutchinson News