The Washington herald., 1911-03-26

NOT POPULAR In CAPITAL
In Washington. however, the move
ment is declared to be impracticable and
injurious. Prominent men and women
interviewed by The Washington Herald
almost with one accord, say any change
in the public school system of Washing
ton that would separate the boys and
girls in their classes would be de-
plorable mistake.
1T will not take me more than two
minutes to make plain my views upon
the question of segregation in the public
Schools" said Mrs Mary S. lockwood,
prominent member of the d. A r. IF
the Lord Almighty had considered such
a course wise and right, He would have
created families on another plan, but He
demonstrated in our creation that it was
best for the sexes TO grow up side by
side If children are not taught TO re-
sist temptation while they are children.
it is useless TO expect them to do SO
when they are no longer children; no
one can overcome the unknown, as it
were.
The mixing of boys and girls in school
is the best possible, because the most
In our Junior Republic work it was
found that the introduction of girls
caused the boys to take a little more
care in tying their ties, and it put the
girls on their mettle, too Innocent social
intimacy makes for comradeship and does
away with the evils often wrought of
unfamiliarity between boys and girls.
There is my opinion of segregation, and
it is most decided. 1t is founded upon
years of observation and experience"
Rabbi Simon's Views.
Rev. DR. Abram Simon, of the H Street
Temple said:
When the board of education wants
to prepare the students for social life,
there is no reason whatsoever, in my
mind. why there should be any talk of
giving separate rooms TO the boys and
girls. 1 believe the school should be
natural institution where the students
may learn manners as we'll as the diff
ferent studies. If they don't learn while
Young, it is not likely they will when
they get older. This IS especially true
when girls are present, as the boys will
conduct themselves much better and
lean to respect their opposite sex more
than if kept to themselves most of the
time"
Rev. John Van Schaick. jr., OF the
Church of Our Father. discussed the
matter very briefly: Not being well
Hersed on the subject 1 can hardly talk
iutelligently, but will say that certainly
do not approve of separating the sexes
in the graded schools. My feelings are
distinctly against the proposition That
is all
Rev. J. NJ. Schick, of the Grace Re
formed Church, said that in his opinion
there should be no change in the schools,
as the best work has been done in the
co-educational institutions of the coun-
try Going further into the matter, he
said:
"A responsible board of education,
knowing what is best for the welfare
of the students, is best fitted for that
question. and, in fact, it should be left
entirely to them. However, 1 think the
question of separating the sexes is not
so much of Importance as the ability
of the teachers to inspire the students
with the love of acquiring knowledge"
Rev. J. Compton Ball, OF the Metro
politan Baptist Church. seemed to think
a change in the present plans would be
beneficial
When ] went TO school in Philadel-
phia the boys and girls were together
until they reached the grammar school,
when they were then separated in diff
ferent rooms" he said. 81 believe the
presence OF the girls brings out the man
illness and gentlemanly characters of the
boys. But, on the other hand IL they
were apart they would work better and
not have time to converse with one an
other"
Mrs. Mussey's Reasoning
When it comes to the women's expres-
sions of opinion they are found to he
very decided and almost unanimous in
favor of mixed schools. They all incline
10 the belief that the masculine and
feminine mind are beneficial
1T would not be normal TO separate the
sexes in their studies.'' emphaticaIly as
serted Mrs Ellen Spencer Mussey, as she
sat in the Office of her law college.
Families do not run all to boys or all
girls and it would be abnormal to follow
any such a rule in educating these same
boys and girls. Co-education does more
to eliminate the Sex idea than any other
thing. The sex idea Is most degrading to
women-l do not mean that IL is degrad-
ing to be a woman, for there is nothing
so wonderful and beautiful as to be a
woman and capable of motherhood, and
have never wished to be a man-but the
idea OF sex is degrading. 4
Comrades are what boys and girls
should be, and the separation Of the
sexes would make this impossible 1t
fs the educated and understanding
woman who makes the most satisfac-
tory wife. not the empty-headed doll
without sterling qualities. A companion
able wife, broad enough to know that a
man is . man, would not be possible In