The Press., 1910-08-03

Principal Brubeck gave 8 pointed talk on the reorganization Of the pub. liC schools. The following is in part from his introductory remarks:-
 That any public school system-our public schocls-should be the greatest force and power for the good upbuild- ing of, in degree, shape 8 country s progress, Is an acknowledged, indeed, Is an emphasized fact. It should be the very bulwark of the nation. So great an II fluence does the public school system possess and wield, that 1t should call to it's aid the very best in everything, and should have at all times a loyal support without the slightest stint as to means and equip ment. But regardless that much im- provement has taken place in this vital arm of our advarce, our public school system has been, and still is, the target for all kinds of criticism
 Especially is this true of the elemen- tary branches of education, spelling and English particularly, and vo- cational knowledge of arithmetic. This is borne out by business men generally and as we'll by the higher institutions of learning, who seriously complain of the poor standing in these branches. suggesting corrective measures. but as yet without any material change in the situation.
 That there has been . growing in- difference to Knowledge of the fun damentals during the past two or three decades cannot be questioned, attrib- utable to different causes
 The success of those who have pre- ceded us would sustain the statement that the original district school, with all it's crudeness and lack of facilities, did more to shape the course, increase the power and develop the mind than it's successor, the public school, is doing. Certain it is there seems to have been a greater unfolding of natural faculties, more true accom- plishment, more tone and color'' to the good upbnilding of young people, thus making for efficient citizenship, no better evidence of which is needed than the men and women who have made this the greatest of all nations, and the last the top-notcher of all preceding centuries.
 That the power to concentrate, the comprehension to undertake and carry out. the perception and judgment to take advantage of opportunity, to be acquired largely by sacrifice, self denial and applied effort, are quali- ties to be desired. is beyond all per adventure of doubt But 8 reverse state of affairs seems to be the case. Never was the disposition so generally manifest in young people to attempt to get something for nothing. to avoid any and all hard work. to hurry and skip through detail, to find the road by which result" may obtain with the least amount of tffolt We must not lose sight of the fact that this country is still new, that we cannot expect the highest development in anything that accumulated wealth seems to be the main obj6ct of the in- diYidual,i and this,s apparently, the vehicle, or sesame, to every desiTable aim of life; hence, music, art, sculp. ture, as we'll as literature, have not yet received progressive impetus, and although the writings of Longfel low, Bryant. Whittier, and few others. may be cited as evidence to the contrary, it will be found that the l original ''impnlse' in these flwed ] down through Q hereditary strain | from the mother country.
 It may also be justly said that our public school system has kept well apace with the Improvements and con- ditions in other lines, that there is ample time In " hich to apply a rem. edy for the indifference and orudeness so apparent in the output. or product, and that ''relief will be forthcoming l in regular order and in due season.