The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1909-05-25
THE IDLER.

write any more until the editor had
employed a first class proof reader
or a correct linotype operator. | used
to study Smiths grammar and the
old blue back Speller and, Of course,
therefore, | know correct grammar
when I see it and know how to spell.
! If the readers know these two things
it must have been clear that The Her
and and News sometimes is in great
need of a first class proof reader.
That leads me to remark that be-
lieve our graded school system needs
an overhauling. Now, this is not per-
sonal but general. I mean the mod
ern methods of teaching the children.
T do not believe the child is developed
as roundly and as thoroughly as in
the old system Of teaching. I know
there will be those to say at once that
The Idler is an old fogy and out of
date and doesn't know what it is talk
ing about, but you just think of it
and you will see the force and effect
of my observations.
I said something like this once to
Prof. Hand, the high school inspec-
tor and he laughed at me. Well, may
be he was right. But listen. A child
'starts in one of our graded schools at
the age of seven and if he goes regu-
larly through the ten grades he IS
seventeen when he finishes the graded
school and has done nothing from
seven to seventeen but go to school
and then is not prepared to enter the
freshman class of any first class COL
! lege, but say that ne is, It takes four
years to finish the college course, and
at twenty-one he is just ready to
think about preparation for hfe's
duties and has done nothing but go
to school.
t, But apart from that my objection
! to the system is the failure to devel-
top the individuality Of the child.
The making of the child too much OF
a machine. Now, I may be mistaken,
but it has occurred to me that there
is too much of hearing lessons with
our teachers rather than teaching.
This is not meant for personal apph-
cation except as it fits.
And then it too often happens that
those who pretend to teach do not
have a proper conception of the duty
of the teacher or of the fearful re-
sponsibility of the work and it also
too often happens that those who Sc
lect the teachers do not seem to have
a clear apprehension Of their respon-
sibility, and make selection without
reference to the fitness Of things.
When you come to think about it the
average trustee, and it is said in all
kindness and with no reflection up
on the trustee, is not competent to
select teachers. And therefore the
plan adopted in most all first class
and high grade graded schools is for
the trustees to elect the superinten-
dent and then let him select the
teachers and hold him responsible for
the proper and efficient conduct OF
the school.
I was delighted to read in the last
issue of The Herald and News in DR..
WolIing's letter the success which
is attending young W. C. Bynum at
Georgetown as superintendent OF the
school. He is a Newberry boy and a
fine young fellow.
You know | told you once before
that the fellow who didn't know any
thing about the subject and who had
no especial interest could do the most
giving good advice and telling the
other fellow how to do the job. You
see the point.
Now, really, The .Idler would like
to know about that trash ordinance
and if it is being enforced, and II
the people are cooperating with the
officials. How about that general
cleaning up day before commence
ment. Don't everybody speak at
once. 1t would be too great shock
for my nerves to have the people OF
Newberry unanimous on any question
! for the good of the whole and espec-
tally for the good Of each indlvl-
dual.