Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-01-16
Reasons for Commercial
Department at Cony High.
Principal Mcclure Explains Its
Purpose and Methods.
A Matter Of Great interest TO Au-
gasta Parents and Pupils.
Editors Eennehec Journal:

Editors Eeanehec Journal:
Why has Commercial Department
been established in the Cony High
school: Because it is considered a
necessary addition in order to meet the
| demands of our changing social and
| industrial conditions. The purpose and
| value of such a course has for some
time been kndWn to the members OF
| The board Of education, to the super
! ntnndent Of Schools, to the principal
| OF the High school, and to many VINO
are Interested in the city and it's in
stitutiUns and who believe that in or
der 10 serve it's hest purposes, ins;ruc-
! ton should be liberal and at the same
time suited TO the requiremnts OF ac-
| tual life.
| We can heartily congratulate the cit
| iZens Of Augusta upon the active and
| growing interest shown in the matter
| OF public education. a civilization,
| state. or city cannot he said to adj
vance while it's educational interests
| remain unprosressive, and neglected.
| The city is justified, even required, to
make larger investments in its public
! school system and to give it q larger
scope. The tax for school purposes
whether levied by state law or by
municipal ordinance, represents a gain
| rather than a loss; most school teach
ers are worth to the taxpayers more
| money than they receive.
| In the hope that II may establish
among the people a proper attitude
toward it's scope and purpose, We have
undertaken in what appears to us to
be a rational way to set forth the prob
lem Of commercial education. Because
we share the responsibility in estab-
llsEinS this department of work in the
Augusta schools, we are anxious that
proper ideals prevail from the begin
mig. and that future directors of this
work he selected from among men cap
able of teaching the meaning Of bust
ness. Of raising commercial education
above the narrow, and of realizing the
ideals set forth.
A reading of the history of educa-
lion in America seems to disclose the
following facts. First, our earlier
schools and colleges We're predominated
hy the English and European ideas Of
culture. The state early recognized the
necessity Of Preparing the youth for
citizenship, and so schools were en-
Couragad to that end; but the school
itself was product of those to whom
powers were delegated. 1t may be sug-
- etN that the schools of u particular
age ana country are seldom much bet
tor or worse than the prevailing culture
and ideals of life Second, schools
grew as they were planted, but We're
very little Influenced by the growth of
business and commercial life. Now, in
1921 there appeared in New York this
announcement: 'T'he subscff bcr, r1.-
ccuraged by several gentlemen, in
tends opening in Ann, near Nassau
street, an English Classical and Math-
cmatical school for the instruction OF
Young gentlemen intended for mcrcan-
tile pursuits. Instruction will he given
in tie following branches
Reading. clocution, pcnmanship, and
arithmetic, algebra. astronomy. his
tory, and geography: moral philosophy;
commercial Law, and political economy;
English grammar and composition;
and. also if required, the French ana
Spanish languages by natives Of these
countries.
housekeeping and merchants ac-
proved and scientific forms.
',rhc school viii be conducted, in all
the principal branches according to the
jnductivc method Of instruction. and
particularly so in arithmetic, gcogra-
pily and English grammar.
1T will commence about the first Of
November.
Preferences: j. S. Bartlett M. D.,
Albion Office; Mcssrs. Smith and His
Top, Pearl Street; Mr.. Henry r Mar
CAREY. Broadway; Mr.. P. Written, -Jr.,
Maiden Lane.
(Sisned) J. Gordon Bennett
IN. B.-Application may be made at
14S Fulton Street"
Recently we surveyed this busy dis
trict of lower New York from the tower
of the Singer building, and We're held
for an hour in silent and profound adj
miration of the vast business and COM
nercial activity under our, very eyes,
while in imagination we looked out
across the country and saw a broad
expanse of mingled activity,-institu
tions of business and of education scat
tered everywhere.
Perhaps the personal experience of
X. NJ. Bartlett, pioneer IN the
organization and management of COM
rnercial colleges in America, can best
be used to explain the rise of the bust
ness college. He says that when he
became of age he wished 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 propre-
tors did not want to be bothered. The
predicament in which he was placed
was of not being taken into an Office