The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1909-10-15
Echoes Of Woman's Clubs


the general diffusion of education
through our common schools that this
country has been able to lead the
world in its inventions and manufac-
turing industries. 1t is this that has
made the conditions OF our working
far better than we find in
other nations, and it is this which has
made us surpass every other nation
in wealth and prosperity.
Again, education tends to lessen
crime, and the results Of crime. It
increases happiness because 1t makes
living conditions more favorable, adds
to the conveniences of life and les
sens disease and death. Last, but not
least, in Republican government.
where the people are the rulers, they
must be intelligent in order to main
tain stable and prosperous exist
ence. So important is this matter OF
general intelligence considered, that
many states have passed laws compel
ling the attendance, at school, OF chill
dren between certain ages.
We see then that education is
largely practical matter; we might
call 1t business proposition, and
should include instruction in those
things that will be of the most practi-
cal benefit to the largest number OF
individuals. 1t represents SO much
capital invested from which we are
looking for the greatest possible re-
sulting dividends.
While it is true that provision Is
made by nearly all, If not all, OF the
states for the higher and technical
education, yet as matter OF fact
only a small per cent Of children are
able to take more than the most ele-
mentary instruction. In the state OF
Iowa, which stands well to the front
in educational matters, less than fifty
per cent ever pass beyond the gram
mar department and only about thir-
teen per cent Of the children finish
the high school.
This being the fact, the question
arises, have our school courses been
such as to accomplish the most along
= Nj
the lines that | have stated as being
the reasons for the Introduction and
continuance of our expensive school
system. / believe that it is the gener-
al opinion, which is rapidly spread
i ing, among our best and most
thoughtful educators that there has
been omitted from our courses OF in
struction most important and essen
tial elements, and these are now be-
ing supplied by the introduction o.
Manual Training and Domestic Sci
/ ence.
During the early settlement OF th1'
country and for many years thereaft
err, while the common schools were
being developed the chief and almos
4 the only branches. taught were read
ing. writing, the more simple ant
practical elements of arithmetic; witt
perhaps little of grammar and geo
lgraphy. They we're essential, pjractl
| cal subjects, helpful to everyone, NJ
matter what his occupation, and with
| in the attainment of nearly all The,
are equally as essential and practica
today. They are the rudiments, tn
/ fundamental principals which under
1 lie other and more advanced knowl
edge and attachments. We believ
| that no other knowledge can take tn
place Of these essentials. But tn
| school course has been continual
enlarged until it takes in the NOR
advanced and intricate problems
arith metic, algebra, geometry, phy
steal geography, physiology, natura
philosophy, latin, modern language
with drawing and music added.
Now the study Of these branches
as taught in our common grade
school, is not intended to be techni
cal, fitting one for a particular lin
of work. They are considered NOR
as matters Of general informatio
and to certain extent practica
They are all good and desirable stud
dgc( fit yiigue-. hcT ?fh ffesas-
les, and other things being equal, tn
more general knowledge OF all kind
that a person can acquire the better
Neither would we detract from tn
, Importance of the mental disciplin
acquired by any students application
, knowledge tends to broaden the min
, and enlarge the field Of vision. Il IN
creases ones powers of usofaihes
and addseto the national intelligence
Have we not however in continin
our instruction to these lines OF stud
, failed to furnish that education whic
will be Of the greatest practical benz