New-York tribune., 1919-11-16
Making Character
Ho.v Our Schools Could Teach
Discipline by Doing.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.

Sir; The Tribune editorial Of No
vember 7, "Why Private Schools ?" is
timely reminder that the task of
Americanizing our youth under the
conditions Of modern city life devolves
primarily and in large measure upon
our public schools.
Our public schools were not estab-
! nshed primarily for character building.
This function in the pioneer days was
left to the home and to religious in
struction and influence. The schools
were established to confer the funda-
mentals of knowledge, and from this
foundation they have developed along
scholarship lines to a marvellous eff
cheney and are welded into complete
system from kindergarten to college.
AS compared with the scholarship aim,
the character aim Is feebly directed
and Is manifest only as something Sec
ondary and incidental to the intellect
ual purpose.
Direct and successful character
training, however, is not unknown It is
in operation in military life on shore
and atioat and In Our national military
and naval academies. 1t is practiced
in our best private military schools
The principles of this training are sim
pie and are recognized and accepted as
educational maxims. They have easy
application to our public high school
grades and have no necessary connec-
tlon with Or relation to gun drill,
marching or any othe- technical mill
tary matter. In camp life and on our
battleshlps men are encouraged to duty,
truthfulness, loyalty, service, compli-
ance with law, etc, by establishing
these things are superior to all other
considerations.
To the establishment Of these moral
foundations recruits and students are
encouraged by rewards, privileges, ad-
vancement, leaves Of absence, etc The
practice of these elements of good
character Is recognized as good con-
duct, and at the expiration of ser
vice certificate of good conduct IS
given to every one whose record merits
it.
Reports Of misconduct, delinquent
cies and neglect Of study are a part Of
daily public school life. Usually these
reports have but transient application
to the pupils standing They may
serve for the moment as basis for
punishment or rebuke and then be for
gotten. They rarely appear on the
home reports or the graduation rec
ord. To establish character training
IN our public high schools on principles
whose success Ia attested by long ex-
perience, the highest reward given to
q pupil should be q character or citi-
zenship diploma based on his individ-
ual conduct record, inclusive Of his
prime duty to the state in the effort
to learn.
Smart Aleck insuhordtnates and in
cipient gangsters would quickly be
known by all for what they are, and
would lose the respect of the pupil
body instead of receiving the hero wor-
ship often accorded them Scholarship
would be improved, discipline made
easy, and real cooperation between
parents and school would be secured
to the advantage Of both.
Habits make character" eve learn
by doing" Children and youth In
groups readily respond to the stand.
ards and tasks set by parents and
teachers. The practice Of the virtues
manifesting itself in good conduct
leads to their love, and the love OF
Justice makes Americans and patriots
H. o. RITTENHOUSE,
Commander U. s. Navy (Retired),
Brooklyn, Nov. 10, 1919.