Evening journal., 1912-07-25
Peoples Column
UReEs PRACrICAL EprcArIoN.
To the Editor of THE EVENING
JOURNAL:

JOURNAL
Sir-There seems to bea consider
able controversy az present over
Summer Schools. and the salaries Of
the teachers. This is a very small
and insignificant matter. when COM
pared to the valueless text books
used in our schools and the wild ex-
travagsnce of all concerned. We are
fully of the opinion that our whole
school system needs revision. and a
greater effort made toward economy,
and better service rendered in the in
terest of the poorer classes.
Going back fifty years or more We
remember that we had in those days
two schools-the Subscribe and Free
school, In the first, books and
tuition we're paid for: in the second
books were paidl for but tuition was
free II was only a few years ago, that
the State furnished free books At
present the free school predominates,
and is run on a high pressure system
in the interest of those who desire
higher education and 10 enlarge their
capacity for pleasure The majority
of the studies taught are of no real
value to the students when they get
out in the world to earn a living Il
is true that some of them may make
the mans capacity for enjoyment Of
life greater. as We have stated, but
they don't increase his earning capa-
city, which is quite another object.
There are so many unfortunate
students. who, owing to circumstances
over which they have no control, are
compelled 10 leave school early. This
class is just as much entitled to be
educated in something that will en-
able them TO earn good living as
are those. who can stay longer The
we'll to do parents can we'll afford to
keep their children in school until
they arrive at the age OF manhood or
womanhood. They know where TO
find them. but the poor man, or the
widow. left with poverty and a house
full of children. naturally needs as
sistance from the children as they be-
come serviceable Therefore, the
time spent AZ school must be short
The free school system was intended
for this class of people to give their
children a good wholesome education
I'm a short time. Our School System
has is a measure outgrown its use
fulness along this line. but the prin-
oiple remains the same.
We are fully of the opinion that
the time has come for the broadening
Of our public school system, TO in
clude the elements Of vocational
training which would prevent the alb
solute necessity of sending our
children away to be educated when
there is a richly paid system main
tanned at home for that purpose.
Therefore. the economic value of
special education is apparent. The
extravaganza OF throwing away so
much money for text books. the most
of them absolutely worthless should
cease and the money used for such
books and material that would pre-
pare the boy and girl for active
clerical work upon leaving school.
Give tho poor child commercial
education. or a mechanical trade, to
meet the urgent demands of the wage
earning class.
We read a notice. why send your
children away TO SCHOOL, Permit
us TO answer by asking a question
"Why pay for your ohildrens educa-
ton. when the State. from the income
Of the School fund and School taA
is supposed TO do SOP" This Business
School offers to teach day and night
three courses or either of the three
as desired, viz Complete Bookkeep-
ing course. Commercial Law, Rapid
/ Calculation. Pennsmanship. English
Business forms and customs.
Complete Shorthand and Type
writing course, Letter writing, Eng
Iish. Pennsmanship, Office practice
and customs"
Complete course in Telegraphy
Commercial Office or Railroad ol
Signal Tower Practice and customs
Pennsmanship."
Why not incorporate this system
into our school. and save the expense
of sending our children away2 W.
know Of several who are attending
these business schools, who are pay
ing school taxes for something thel
cannot get at home. Even after gradu
alton in many cases, the STUDENT
found it necessary TO 20 away for
TOP dressing before they could accep
a clerical position Some few ente
banks. but as draft clerks, to serv
a few years to regulate the windows
stoves and floor until they get com
/, mercial education from the cashier o
{ teller IF the banks.
S There is a Commercial Department
=. in the school at Georgetown, and
! is encouraging to find that the youn
o. ladies are finding good places to ear
o. A living in business places Of tn
y town and We sincerely hope tina
5 other towns in the State will ador
S this course of instruction. We sadl
J., feel the need Of il in Seaford- W
know of so many of this wage earnin
class. who are out Of employment
who could easily find situations
they had been properly educated.
We disclaim any thought OF inter
ton to adversely criticise our scho'
} officials They do their duty. Ih
great fault is in the law and th
system. but they can largely improN
the present condition and We urs
upon them the necessity for doin
, SUSSEX DEMOCRAT.
y sesford. Del. July %. 1912.