Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1921-12-02
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1921
Americanization at Home

Americanization at Home
The chance mention of W. HI. Taft in a class
in public school in Milwaukee revealed that only
one member of the class knew who Taft was. 10
the others Taft meant nothing-chlef justice OF
the supreme court of the United States, president
of the United States less than decade ago. a
name in newspaper headlines as continuously and
as often probably as that Of any living man.
The shocked teacher became curious. few
of the class knew of Hoover An outstanding fig
ure of the World war, an American revered in I'M
known corners Of the world, they knew as man
who had something to do with food during the
war They did not know his given name or what
official position he holds. In fact not one OF the
class could name single member OF the presl-
dents cabinet though the name of Hughes today
Jumps at one from every column of every news
paper.
You say this must have been primary class
children of 6 or Z. It was not. It was a class OF
seniors in Milwaukee high school, boys and
girls who in two or three years will be electing
presidents, and by their vote deciding questions
that affect the welfare of their country and shape
the destiny Of the world.
One wonders what sort of world these
young men and women live in, which does not in
clude Tafts and Hoovers What does SO fill their
world that there is no room for what is all about
them?
One wonders still more how school can take
it's children to the eve Of graduation without CIV
ing them knowledge essential to citizenship, how
they can be getting education if there is in their
minds no curiosity about the country they live in
and the government of which they are part. We
tell each other that public school education is
the foundation of our democracy and insures an
enlightened citizenship It seems to have slipped
a cog in this high school class.
VIZ 14o1fo hoxyo 71oico
the instruction in American citizenship of our
public schools. We form nationwide Americana
zation movements because knowledge of American
government is necessary for citizenship. A nat
uralization court would hesitate to pass appli-
cant who never heard of Taft.
The above article taken from the Milwaukee
Journal should be read by every upper grade and
high school teacher and if they have not already
done so, apply some practical tests in finding out
what the student body knows regarding matters
of government, public men, etc.
Matters which may not be inside of school
books but necessary information for all future
citizens to have. We were especially struck by
closing paragraph touching upon the require
ments asked of applicants for citizenship, as we
reminded of an occurrence in the county
court house few years ago, when the applicant,
a resident of the county for more than twenty
years, the father of family and the owner of
large farm cleared by himself, was refused his
papers until he could give better answers to the
questions asked by the federal examiner. They
were minor ones and did not affect the situation
much if any, but we were at war with the county
the applicant from when boy and the
jealous federal representative was not taking any
chances on spies or traitors. The fact that every
line of the mans face and hands showed him to
be an upright, Industrious resident of his COM
munity and who probably knew every question
asked of him the night before, when not embar-
raised by telling it to strangers did not carry
weight with his questioner who very likely would
have fallen down himself if required to answer
some of the questions that all aboring men can
give prompt answers to in regard to their line of
work. We do not feel that it is absolutely necess-
airy for men to know history by heart in order
to be good citizens, but what is required from
the foreigner should at least be required from our
native citizens who have far better chance to
become informed.