Newspaper Page Text
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VOL. XXXII.
DAILY ENQUIRER-SUN: COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, THURSDAY MORNING,
FROM HILL AND DM&THE COTTiGE AND
MANSION, COMES THE SAYING:
J. A. KIRVEN & CO.’S
IS THE BEST PLACE TO BUY
Dry Goods and Millinery.
Some Special Bargains lor this Week :
Zephyr Ginghams at 5c.
India Linen, sheer and fine, at 5c.
Linen Bafis'e at 10 and 12ic.
Wool Challos, cl oice styjes, at 20c.
Iron Frame Grenadines at $1.00.
Printed China •mUs a 40c.
Printed Moh iis, regular 50c goods, at 35e.
One yard wide Pei Cal• s at 7c.
RIBBONS! RIBBONS! RIBBONS!
We are headquarters f.»r R hbons We match any shade
in all widths. See our job lot of R obons.
EMBROIDERED SWISS.
If you have not seen our stock of Embroidered Swiss you
must do so. New d signs in great variety.
THE LEADING MILLINERY HOI SE.
For the correct styles at reason ible prices we are great.
J. A. KIRVEN & CO.
WHINING CONTRACTORS. GEORGIA TEACHER?:
BADLY STUCK OK THE ATLANTA two 10 sixt X ® ars of a S e - The Morrill
CUSTOM HOUSE JOB.
, bill was agreed to as a substitute for the INTERESTING ACCOUNT OF THE
i Senate bill, yeas 18, nays 71.
juggling OVER the la grange post- ' Yoder u,oved to recommit the bill with
OFFICE APPOINTMENT—THE SERVICE
SECOND DAY’S PROCEEDINGS.
PENSION BILL IN THE HOUSE—GAG
LAW IN THE SENATE,
IP VOU WANT PERFECTION IN GOODS
MODERATE PRICES,
Chancellor & Pearce’s
Is the place to trade. This season they bought more goods than ever—their trade has
been larger. As special inducement to the trade, they offer Monday these startlers :
Sliirt Waists 15c to 50c.
GOO Shirt Waists, size 4 to 13, 15c.
100 Sliirt Waists, size 4 to 14, 50c.
GOO Shirt Waists, size 4 to 14, G5c.
The better grades of the above are laundered and made from choice patterns Per
cale, and cannot be duplicated.
Knee Pants 5 ^c and 75c.
300 pair Knee Pants, 4 to 14, 50c.
300 pair Knee Pants, 4 to 14, 75c.
200 pair Knee Pants, 4 to 14, $1.25.
These goods are worth more money and will not be seen elsewhere. They are ou
from remnants—-are of extra value.
Jersey and Knee Pants Suits
Reduced in price. These goods must go at once.
Jersey Suits worth $4.00 and $4.50, reduced to $3.50.
Jersey Suits worth $0.00 and $7.50, reduced to $5.00.
200 Cassimere Suits from size 4 to 15, worth from $3.50 to $12.00, all reduced.
Straw Hats 5c to $2 00.
You can buy Hats elsewhere at similar prices, but you don’t get the same intrinsic
value and wearing quality. If you desire the best 50c School or Dress Hat made that
will wear nine-tenths of the boys an entire season, C. & P. can supply it. This house
Intend to make trade lively this week, if prices will do the work. Call and see.
A HORRIBLE DEATH.
FIRE TAKES THE LIFE OF A YOUNG
LADY.
Atlanta, Ga., April 30.—[Special.]—
Miss Fanny Walker, a young lady residing
on Fair street, was burned to death this
afternoon. She was cooking dinner, and
her dress caught fire from the stove. She
rushed into the open air, and nearly all of
her clothing was burned from her body.
It was a liorrbile spectacle. She lingered
in great agony till 10:30 o’clock tonight,
when she died. She was only seventeen
years old, and the daughter of a widowed
lady.
The excitement was so great that a fire
alarm was turned in, and the department
responded.
NEW ORLEANS COTTON MARKET.
New Orleans, April 30.—[Special.]—
The market opened firm, but during the
day a distinctly easier feeling has been de
veloped, for no particular cause unless it
be the apparent withdrawal of exporters
from the spot market, which is neglected
and dull. The feeling at the close is
somewhat less confident, and without en
couragement from foreign markets. To
morrow the chances are in favor of lower
prices, at least temporarily. A further de
cline of 7-lGd in silver is reported today,
which is ascribed as the cause of the bare
ly steady closing of Liverpool.
We quote: June 11.74, July 11.82, Au
gust 11.72, September 10.73, October 10.28,
November and December 10.13.
J. D. Feet & Co.
pledge’s little convention.
A convention of twenty-five negroes
from Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina
and Florida met here today to discuss
what they call “Southern Outrages.’’ The
convention adjourned over to tomorrow
without doing anything. Pledger was
elected temporary chairman, and is run
ning the meetiing.
Fire on Rose Hill.—This morning
shortly after 12 o'clock, an alarm of fire
was sounded that called the engines out to
Rose Hill. • After a long run, the fire was
located in the bar-room, known
as the “Key to Rose Hill,” and
operated by Bud Newman. The
grocery store adjoining kept by E. W.
Joines was also burned. Mr. Joines
owned both buildings. The two were
owned by Mr. Joines, and were insured
for $1,200, about two-thirds of their value.
Most of Mr. Joints' goods were saved.
Mr. Newman carried a light stock of
liquors, partly covered by insurance.
There was some difficulty in getting
water, and the bursting of the suction
hose of No. 5 steamer left the water press
ure the only thing to depend on. Chief
Burros said the water was muddy and the
pressure very light.
Marriage Last Night.—Mr. Dana
Blackmar and Miss Nettie Barden were
married at the residence of Mr. John
Cook, a relative of the bride, at 7 o'clock
last night, Dr. Robert H. Harris officiat
ing. No cards.
Mr. Blackmar is bookkeeper for Frazer
& Dozier, and one of the most promising
young business men of the city. The
bride is a favorite with a large circle of
friends, and one of the most lovable, at
tractive and accomplished young ladies of
Columbus.
A reception was tendered the happy
young couple at the residence of the
groom's father, Mr. A. O. Blackmar, last
night.
Articles of incorporation have been filed
for the American Arms Company, of Bluff-
ton. The capital stock will be $200,000.
The incorporators are S. N. Mays and
George Fox, of Boston, Mass., and Henry
R, Shorter, of Eufaula.
A FRIGHTFUL RUNAWAY'.
PLEDGER bossing a NEOliO CONVENTION.
three lawyers sentenced.
Atlanta, Ga., April 30.—[Special.]—
A runaway team on East Fair street this
morning knocked down Mr. and Mrs.
Greensberry Holbrooks, an aged couple
walking along the sidewalk and next ran
into a buggy driven by Mrs. Frank Perry
man, throwing her from the buggy and
demolishing the vehicle. The old couple
were sent to the hospital and Mrs. Perry
man was removed to her home. Mr.
Holbrooks may die from his injuries and
Mrs. Perryman, who is an invalid, is in a
critical condition.
Tlie driver of the team is under arrest.
three lawyers sentenced.
Judge Richard Clarke this morning sen
tenced the three Arnold’s who assaulted
Mr. John L. Conley, at East Point, last
summer. Col. Reuben Arnold was fined
$200 and each of the others $50, the costs
to be divided equally between the three.
THE OKEEFENOKEE.
Q. B. Carter, conneeteJ with the syndi-
date that bought the Okeefenokee swamp,
was here today to arrange for a survey of
the swamp.
CONDENSED TELEGRAMS.
instructions to the committee on invalid
I pensions to report back a per diem pension
bill. The motion to recommit was lost,
j yeas 48, nays 161. The House then ad-
Washington, April 30.—[Special.]— J0urned '
Thomas & Driscall, the contractors for re- ! IV THE SEXATE -
building the Atlanta custom house, have Washington, April 30.—Dolpb, from
filed an application in the Treasury De- the committee on foreign relations, re-
partment asking for an extension of time ported a concurrent resolution requesting
in which to complete their work. It ap- the President to negotiate with the Gov-
pears that they have been delayed by an ernments of Great Britain and Mexico
attempt to work Georgia granite into the w 'th a view of securing a treaty, with stip-
building, which was either unsuitable or ulations, for the prevention of the entry
too expensive, and the contract hail finally hito the United States of Chinese from
to be gives to a Massachusetts quarry. Canada and Mexico, and he asked for its
Harrison’s movements. i immediate consideration.
President Harrison has cancelled his en- XIr. Ingalls—“Let it go over and be
gagement to be in Philadelphia on Mem- printed.”
orial Day, and will instead °o to Cleveland The concurrent resolution went over till
•to the, unveiling of the Garfield monu- ' tomorrow, and the Senate resumed the
ment. It is understood that Mrs. Gar- consideration of the customs administra-
field’s visit to the Harrisons a few days tive Hill. The amendment offered yester
day by Mr. Dawes, that in cases of the
importation of books, magazines and peri
odicals, in several parts, but one declara
tion of entry shall be required, was
agreed to. The amendment offered
yesterday by Mr. Vest, pro
viding that the general appraiser
who originally acted on the case, shall be
excluded from the board of trade of gen
eral appraisers to which ail appeal may be
made, was discussed at much length.
The discussion turned largely on the right
of an importer to be represented by coun
sel before the board of appraisers, Mr.
Vest contending for that right, and call
ing attention to the fact that a sentence in
the House bill which provided for it had
been struck out by the finance committee.
Allison stated that that sentence in the
House bill was an interpolation of prin
ciple which had existed since the founda
tion of the Government. He said that, as
a mater of fact, it was the practice now,
on proper occasions to hear counsel, and,
often to hear counsel at great length,
but it was not regarded as a wise thing to
compel executive officers to open their
offices as if they were public courts, and
to allow counsel to appear and cross-
examine witnesses. He submitted that
that would be so vicious in the eity of
New York as to preclude absolutely the
transaction of business. Finally a vote
was taken and Vests’ amendment to ex
clude from the board of appraisers, the ap
praiser who had originally acted on the
entry, was disagreed to, yeas 20, nays 29;
a party vote, except that McPherson voted
in the negative with the Republicans.
Gray moved to amend the fifteenth
amendment of the administrative bill by
inserting a provision giving to an importer
who is dissatisfied the right to begin a
common law suit in the United States Cir
cuit Court. Without further action the
bill was laid aside, Gray’s amendment
pending.
The Oklahoma bill was corrected as in
dicated in the joint resolution recalling it
from the president. After an executive
session the Senate adjourned.
THE RECEPTION AT CKAPFF.LI.'S COLLEGE.
A FULL LIST OF DELEGATES PRES
ENT—TODAY’S PROGRAM—
NOTES, ETC.
ago was to persuade Benjamin to make
this pilgrimage.
BUTTERWORTH LOSES TEMPER.
The Foraker ballot box committee met
again today, and its proceedings resulted
in Butterworth calling a witness a liar,
after which the body incontinently ad
journed to give opportunity for the Cin
cinnati member to cool.
There was a good deal of thunder and
bluster in the House today over the pen
sion bill, but Reed, as usual, came out
on top.
The tariff bill will be reported to the
House on Tuesday of next week.
THE LA GRANGE POSTOFFICE.
The LaGrange negro politicians are urg-
ing Buck to cancel his endorsement of
Miss Laird, for the postoffice at that town,
and some are threatening to bolt the party
unless Heard, the negro applicant, gets
the place.
CORRESPONDENTS COMING SOUTH.
The special train bearing fifty-odd cor
respondents start for Augusta tomorrow
morning. Many of the leading Northern
papers are represented.
OF.ORGIA PERSONALS.
Senator Colquitt has broken up his
household, and Mrs. Colquitt and family
have returned to Atlanta.
Mrs. Crisp and family, will leave for
Georgia next week. E. P. S.
IN THE HOUSE.
Washington, April 30.—After the
reading of the journal, the House pro
ceeded to vote upon the passage of the
bill for the classification of worsted cloths
as woolen cloths. The bill was passed,
yeas 138, nays 0, the Speaker counting a
quorum.
The text of the bill is as follows: That
the Secretary of the Treasury be, and he
hereby is authorized and directed to classi
fy as woolen cloths all imports of worsted
cloth, whether known under the name of
worsted, or diagonols, or otherwise.
Mr. McKiniey, of Ohio, from the com
mittee on rules, reported a resolution pro
viding for the immediate consideration of
the Senate service pension bill to which
the Morrill service pension bill may be
ordered as a substitute, the previous ques
tion to be considered as ordered at 4
o’clock.
Mr.Carlisle,of Kentucky protested against
the adoption of the resolutions of this
character which took away from the com
mittee of the whole the right to consider
many bills and forced the House to a vote
upon them after a brief debate. It was
estimated that the Morrill bill involved an
expenditure of $40,000,000 and the Senate
bill an expenditure of $37,000,000. One
of these bills, it was proposeil to pass after
three hours debate. It was not fair to the
members of the House. It was not fair to
the tax payers of the country. The pen
sion estimates were never liberal enough,
and he undertook to say that the expendi
ture under the Senate bill would amount
to $45,000,000,, and under the House bill,
to $50,000,000. There was no reason that
they should not be considered under the
rules of the House What was the
reason for this proceeding? Was it be
cause the gentleman feared discussion?
He imagined not, for if they were merito
rious bilis the more discussion there was,
the more their merit would appear. Was
it because they feared the amendments
which the gentlemen supposed the soldiers
of the country desired? lie imagined that
this was the real cause. While he would
not vote for either bill, he did not see any
substantial reason why they should not be
considered in the usual way,
THE SOUTHERN EDITORS.
The Democrats will probably make a
test of the constitutionality of Speaker
Reed's quorum counting on the passage of
the Dingley worsted bill as passed in the
House. If it becomes a law, importers
will resist its operation and take it into
the courts.
The Bank of America, of Philadelphia,
closed doors yesterday afternoon. It is a
State institution and had twelve branches
in the city. It is closely allied with the
Insurance Company of America, and sev
eral other financial institutions of Phila
delphia. William M. Smith, president of
the common council, was appointed re
ceiver.
Bond offerings yesterday aggregated
$719,200, and all accepted.
The estimated decrease of the public
debt since April 1st, is $7,500,000.
The orders of the cruiser Baltimore were
issued today. She will leave May 14th for
the Haytian waters.
In addition to the regular military gar
rison, eight cavalry regiments will be on
duty in Paris today in anticipation of
trouble growing out of the labor demon
stration.
A revolution has broken out in Parguay,
but telegrphic acommunication is inter
rupted, and the details received are mea
gre.
At Chicago it was decided yesterday by
the striking carpenters to submit their
grievances to arbitration, and work will
probably be resumed next Monday. It is
thought at least 50,000 persons will be in
the labor parade today.
The residence of William Holder, near
Cumberland Gap, burned Tuesday night.
Holder, his wife and one child perished in
the flames. Six other children escaped in
their night clothes.
The Government issued 52,000 rations
to the flood sufferers in Madison parish,
Louisiana, yesterday, and will issue today
26,000 rations to St. James, and 20,000 to
Livingston parish. It is estimated that
one million rations will be required for
Mississippi, and 400,000 more for Louisi
ana. The rations cost six cents each. -
IMPORTANT RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED AT
THE ASSOCIATION MEETING.
Charleston, April 30.—At the meet
ing of the Southern Press Association the
following resolution was introduced by
Hon. Patrick Walsh, of the Augusta
Chronicle, and unanimously adopted:
Whereas, A measure is pending in Con
gress making the Government a party to a
postal telegraph scheme, and
Whereas, This is a dangerous departure
from tlie princi pies of a Democratic Re
publican Government, as defined by Jeffer
son, which are best calculated to protect
the life and property, secure the liberties
of the people, and promote the welfare of
its citizens, anil
Whereas, The tendency to centraliza
tion in the administration of
the Government and tlie increase of
office holders ought to be checked, and
whereas to make the handling of the tele
graphic business of newspapers of the
United States dependent on the good will
of employes subject to party control, would
be an infringement of the liberty of the
press, and subversive of the best interest
of the people. Therefore,
Resoived That we, members of the
Southern Press Association, earnestly re-
The Okla- | quest our Representatives and Senators in
lioma bill had been taken out of the com- | Congress to use their best endeavors to
mittee of the whole, with th& j secure the defeat of this iniquitous
previous question ordered upon it. I measure.
The same had been true j Resolved, That this action be communi-
of the great court bill. If this was not a ! cated to our Senators and Representatives
confession that the new code of rules had j by the President and Secretary,
failed to facilitate ffie business of the I a national levee system.
House, he did not understand its meaning, j s D Poo]j of the New Orleans Times-
[Applause on the Democratic sme.] From Democrat, introduced the followingresolu-
this time on. he would protest against this td on relative to the Government improve-
systein and insist upon the rights of mem- men 0 f the Mississippi river, which was
bers on both 3ides to have opportunity for
discussion, and amendment which every
The March report of the operations of
the Central railroad system has just been
completed. It shows an increase of $33,-
000 over March a year ago, but a corre
sponding large increase in tlie operating
expenses, which reduced the net to a de
crease of over $52,000 below March last
year.
just code of rules must secure to them.
McKinley argued that the resolution
was justified under the present code of
rules. Not only this, but it was justified
by precedents set by the House over which
the gentleman from Kentucky (Carlisle)
presided. The Republicans wanted to do
the public business of the country. Talk
about considering measures, the Demo
crats cansidered and did nothing. The
Republicans considered and did something.
What the country wanted was results, and
not speeches. [Applause on the Republi
can side.]
The resolution was adopted, and Mr.
Morrill, of Kansas, took the floor in ex
planation and support of his bill. This
act of justice, he said, had been too long
postpoued. If the Government were to
grant a service pension, it should grant it
without delay. The total number of per
sons put upon the pension roll under the
provisions of the bill was estimated at
440,000 at an annual cost of $39,629,000.
The object of the bill was to render aid to
eVery soldier over sixty-two years of age,
to every disabled soldier without regard to
age, and the widows of deceased soldiers
who needed assistance.
Tarsney, of Mifsonri, opposed the bill
because it made no discrimination between
the soldier who served three months and
the soldier who served three years: be
cause it made no distinction between dis
ability arising from service in the army and
disability resulting from the vicious conduct
of the person to whom the pension was
granted. The pending bill ought not to
go into history under the appellation of
the “Morrill” bill, but under the appella
tion of the “immoral” bill.
Spinola criticised the majority of rushing
through a bill involving $42,000,000 with
but three hours debate, and no apportu-
nitv to the minority to offer amendments.
He attributed it to cowardice. It was a
betrayal of the veterans of the country by
the Republican party. It was a cunning
device of the majority to prevent members
of the minority from offering amendments
for the benefit of the soldiers.
Grosvenor, of Ohio, said that this bill,
added to the prisoners-of-war bill, when it
was passed, would add 450,000 names to
the pension rolls, and would make that
roll 950,000. The total expenditure for
pensions would reach $150,000,000 per
annum. This gross sum amounted to
nearly 43 per cent, of the gross income of
the Government. It did not do
all he wished, but it resulted in a
adopted after some discussion.
Resolved, That it is the sense of
the members of the Southern Press
Association that tlie maintenance of
an efficient system of levees
the Mississippi river is a matter of na
tional concern and that the Government
should take the necessary steps to build
and sustain Such a system.
Experience has shown that the people
iving alon g the banks of the river are un
able to bear the burden of taxation neces
sary to support such a system and it is not
right that they should be required to do so.
The Mississippi is essentially a national
river and its floods should be restrained
by the national Government.
A magnificenxt banquet.
Charleston, S. C. April 30.—[Special.]
—The Grand Opera House tonight was a
scene of beauty and brilliancy, such as
Charleston is famous for. The auditorium
was crowded with beautiful women and
escorts in full dress. The stage was a
bower of lovely roses, with bunting flags,
occupied by Southern press members, and
the South Carolina Press Association. Mr.
Watterson was handsomely introduced by
Major Bryan. His address on “Money
and Morals,” replete with flashes of wit,
keen with genial humo-. completely elec
trified the immense audience. It was a
master-piece of eloquence. At the close
he was warmly congratulated.
At 10:30 o'clock the association gathered
at the Charleston Hotel, where they were
met by a large committee of citizens.
After the reception they were escorted into
the banquet hall. Two hundred and
twenty-five sat down to the tables. The
menu, served in regular course, was a
model of luxuries and delicacies, with
seven different wines, topped off with
Mum's. It was the most magnificent ban
quet, given in Charleston in years.
Watterson responded to the toast, “The
Order of the Day;” Col. W. W. Screws, of
the Montgomery Advertiser, to “The
Press;'' Gen. B. H. Rutledge to “The Old
South and the New South, One and Insep-
erable;” W. B. Somerville to “The West
ern Union,” and Prof. Charles R. Wil
liams, of New York, assistant general
manager of the Associated Press, to “The
Associated Press.”
B. H. R.
the missing cashier.
Birmingham, Ala., April 30.—[Special.]
Cashier G. Pitman, of the Nottingham
bank, who disappeared several days ago, is
still missing. President Nix has examined
munificent generosity such as the world j his accounts and found a shortage of
had never before witnessed, and exceeding I about $10,000. The bank closed, but Nix
that of all civilized nations combined. says it will make good the loss. The
The debate having ended, the amend-' whereabouts of Pitman is not known.
The second day of the Georgia Teach
ers’ Association meeting opened under the
most auspicious circumstances, and some
time prior to the hour announced for
convening of the meeting yesterday morn
ing, Springer Opera House began filling
up, and by 9:30 o’clock the house was
filled
President Thigpen announced that the
meeting would be opened by prayer from
Rev. J. W. G'enn. after which a song of
welcome was admirably sung by the pupils
of the Columbus schools.
When the program as announced was
taken up and the president called for re
ports of committees and other business,
a goodly portion of the morning was spent
in the adoption of a new constitution to
meet the demands of the new* organiza
tion in tive departments. Owing to the
indisposition of Rev. W. A. Carter the
lecture on education was omit'ed.
The theme “Current Critic : sm of the
Public School System and-What Answer,”
was replied to first by Superintendent W.
n. Baker, of tbs Savannah schools, who
read an admirable paper, “They Fail to
Give a Proper Preparation for Active
Life.” Below are Mr. Baker's remarks:
What ought boys to learn? This was
the question propounded to Arristippus,
the philosopher and contemporary of
Socrates, and the answer was in these
words: “What they will have occasion to
use when they become men.” The wis
dom of this answer depends, in large meas
ure, upon the interpretation- that is placed
upon it. If we are to understand that the
astute philosopher sought to convey the
idea that the education of a boy should be
shaped with exclusive reference to his
special vocation in life, and that knowledge
on all collateral subjects is valueless, then,
indeed, is the answer narrow and unwor
thy of a great mind. If. on the other
hand, he Intended to teach that there is
utility in all knowledge, and to emphasize
the troth that it is the high duty of the in
structor of youth so to train and discipline
them as to give the best preparation for
usefulness, both to himself and to his fel
low men, then is the answer replete with
wisdom. Upon these interpretations is
based the distinctive difference between
two- classes of critics in reference to our
educational systems. There can be little
doubt that much of the opposition to our
schools is based upon false, or mistaken
ideas of what is meant by practical educa
tion. We live in an intensely practical
age. The words “Cui bono” are upon the
lips, and in the minds of every one, and
nothing that does not promise an immedi
ate advantage, or one at least, in near
prospect is thought worthy of considera
tion. This so-called spirit of practicality
pervades every department of human
thought and action. Theories, culture,
sentiment are all looked upon with
contempt, and their advocates relegated
to the category of dreams. It is
not the object of this paper nor tlie inten
tion of the writer to enter into any argu
ment to prove the incompatibility of this
spirit with the highest interests of an in
telligent, rational being. That this is the
spirit of the age is an admitted faet, and
that it exercises a controlling influence in
every department of life is not to be ques
tioned. The cry on every side and from
every class is for more practical work in
the schools, and woe be to tlie luckless
teacher who fails to recognize and appre
ciate the full significance of the imperious
demand. There is folly to shut our eyes
to the faet that the real or apparent lack
of practical instruction given in our pub
lic, and private schools, too, (for 1 can
discover no material difference in the meth
ods of instruction in the two systems) lias
furnished a subject for much unfavorable
criticism. Our schools, it is said, do not
give that kind of education demanded by
the times. “They fail to furnish a prop-
eration for practical life.” A perfunctory
education in words and dogmas will no
longer answer the exacting demands of
this age, an-.l that system is essentially de
fective which does not furnish a complete
equipment for the practice of special trades
and professions. Hence the clamor for a
radical revolution of the curricula of our
schools. It is insisted that our girls and
boys must be taught something that will
have a practical bearing and influence
upon that specific work which they will
have to do when released from the re
straints and directions of their tutors.
Such is tlie general charge made
against our systems of education.
We hear it as we mingle in the
social walks of life; we read it in tlie news
papers, and even hear it from the pulpit—
such is tlie general charge. Now for the
specifications:
Says the critic: The curriculum is ut
terly and fatally at fault. The course of
study is not such as is suited to the wants
of tlie pupils. The best practical results,
it is maintained, would be secured by
teaching only tlie elementary branches;
reading, writing, spelling, the least bit of
English grammar, and just so much of
arithmetic as will aid in making ordinary
computations. YVith this knowledge, it is
argued, the pupil is sufficiently prepared
for life. Why encumber the mind with
dry technicalities and abstruse propositions
which can never serve any useful purpose?
Why waste the time and tax the brain of
our pupils with learning the idioms of a
dead and unspoken language,
and the absurd and meaningless
algebraic symbols? Of what possible
utility will they be to the student? An
advanced course, comprising Latin, Greek,
algebra, geometry, chemistry, may be de
sirable for those whose fortunate circum
stances and surroundings make it unnec
essary for them to enter upon industrial
pursuits. These are the luxuries of learn
ing, pleasant, but not necessary. To the
vast majority, the sons and daughters
whose lot is one ofktoil, a knowledge of
these branches is obtained at a sacrifice of
precious time. Y'es, the cry comes in sten
torian tones for the discontinuance of this
system of cramming the minds of our
children with knowledge which can never
be utilized, and which is forgotten as soon
as they enter upon tlie struggles of life.
And thus these followers and worshipers
of materialism would banish from our
schools the classics and higher mathe
matics, and indeed all advanced studies.
Sometimes the criticism assumes this
phase. The system of Instruction used in
the public schools tends to the ignoring of
the individuality of the pupils and to the
repression of nascent genius. It is ob
jected to as procrustean; there is no elas-
them. Happily the members of such are
diminishing every year. But these objec
tors still exist, and their influence is not
to be undervalued nor despised. From
prudential considerations their voices may
not always be beard, but that the opposi
tion on this ground does exist, is well
known to many of us. They say it is not
expedient that all sl*ould be educated.
The allotments of life are various, requir
ing for their fulfillment, different degrees
and qualities of brain and muscle. There
is work to be accomplished and there are
duties to be performed which call for minds
trained in all the dialectics of the schools.
There is again work, humble, but hardly
less important, for the performance of
which no instruction obtained in the
schools is necessary. There must be some
to do this work. The tendency of educa
tion is to cause the laborer to despise his
work, and hence with universal education,
there must be. a scarcity of laborers.
I have briefly stated some of the popular
criticisms made of our schools. It is idle to
deny that they are made in all sincerity.
Nor are we to east them aside as the follies
of intermeddlers unworthy of our notice.
It is well to keep constantly in mind this
important fact, that the public schools
are the schools of the pe-mle, established
and organized in their ini. rest and sup
ported by their money. In them their
children are educated, and from them they
expect the best results. Theirs is the un
doubted right to criticise them, l'ea more,
it is their duty to hold to a strict account
those who are invested with the offices of
teachers in these schools. If the ends for
which they have been established have not
been accomplished, then it is their right to
inquire into the causes, to change, and if
necessary to abolish the systems in use.
The honest and true educator, while de
precating and despising a captious and
fault-finding spirit, desires and earnestly
invites fair criticism. They are ready and
willing to stand or fall by the results of
their work.
In answer to these criticisms as pre
sented, let me say in genera! that any sys
tem of education baseil solely or chiefly on
the idea of utility, as this word is com
monly understood, is in its outgrowth
utterly degrading to the human mind,
and tends to reduce man in the scale
of being. It is an impotent at
tempt to convert into a mere machine
what the Creator has formed for tlie high
est anil noblest purposes. It is, in effect,
to say that the highest ends of our being
are secured by the promotion of our sensual
pleasures. It is to subordinate mind to
matter, to exalt the mortal above the im
mortal. Surely it is no part of a teacher’s
duty to make himself a factor in the ac
complishment of such an ignoble end, nor
is that system of education a wise or useful
one, which aims at such a result. The
teacher must look upon his pupil in his
three-fold nature, seeking to upbuild a
symmetrical character and present to the
world a man useful in any and every rela
tion of life.
But why should the study of any sub
jects above what are called the elementary
branches unfit a pupil for practical
life? Why should it be thought
that valuable time is squandered in
the study of the higher mathematics
and the ancient languages? Is there no
intellectual culture and mental discipline
to be obtained in the prosecution of such
studies? Is not the educated world prac
tically unanimous in the opinion that
from theory the highest results of mental
training are secured? It is training too.
not of a kind that only gives brilliancy in
the drawing room, but tells effectually the
practical work of life. With the great ad
vantages which are to be gained from
studies like these, it would seem the
height of folly to eliminate from our sys
tem, more than half of what has always
been considered as constituting a liberal
education. Our aim should be to make
our public schools the best schools in the
country, schools that will counsel the pat
ronage of all classes. This was the reply
of Edward Eveiett, on being asked why he
sent his son to a public school, “I send
my son there because I know of
none better.” It will be a sad
day for onr schools when it shall
be determined that all that constitutes
higher instruction shall be excluded from
them. The idea that higher education
should exclusively belong to any one class
is as fallacious as it is unjust. It is the
natural result of education to break down
tlie unnatural disintetions of society, and
to make labor of all kinds honorable, but
so long as it is admitted that one kind of
education is good for one class, hut another
is useful for a second class, just so long
there will be those who will affect to de
spise such as engage in labor stigmatized
as menial. Rather let us broaden our cur
riculum esteeming no branch of knowledge
valueless, but ail as tending to strengthen
and discipline the mind and prepare the
student for future life.
But it is urged that individuality is ig
nored in the attempt to subject all classes
of mind to the same training. Genius is
repressed under a system which does
not recognize inborn talent and gross
injustice inflicted upon the poor unfortu
nate, who, in the scarcity of natural gifts,
is unequal to the severe tasks imposed up
on him, and presenting on the one hand
an instance of the martyrdom of genius,
and on the one of stupidity. We answer
that it is impossible, at the age when chil
dren are sent to our schools, to determine
their peculiar aptitude, or to decide what
the bent of their genius is. When the de
cision is made for them, as is sometimes
done by ambitious anil unwise friends, the
chances are that a grievous mistake is
made which may cause irreparable injury.
But suppose it were practicable to make a
wise selection in every case, how, in the
differences of minds and variety of tastes,
could a system be devised which would do
justice to all? A fen 1 mother, recognizing
in the budding genius of her
adored boy, qualifications which
would make of him a great divine
straightway demands a course of study in
theology. Some ambitious father has de
termined that his son shall become a dis
ciple of Blackstone and a course in law is
prescribed for him. The boy who delights
to roam in the realm of science must have
his wishes gratified. The merchant who
esteems aught else useless except what re
lates to cents calls for practical work
for his boy, while the mechanic would
demand for his own instruction in carpen
try. Out of this diversity of tastes, what
system could be evolved adequate to meet
the demands of each case? And were it
possible to devise some plan to accomplish
the end in every instance, the effect would
be to produce a generation of men of one
idea. If any educational principle
can be regarded as settled, it
is that particular studies are adapted to de
velop particular mental faculties. No
man can be called truly educated whose
mind has not been symmetrically trained.
If a teacher
prayer regniariy
the Lord's
Scripture, but
"extemporaneous
use this
dogmatic
sectarian-
broad ami
4 do so, but
ers whose
. proselytism, would
dogma at every |
to uncultivated minds. This is what the bidden,
public schools are expected to accomplish, should
and this is what I believe they do accom- in his
plish. We endeavor to inspire our pupils * prayer i
with high ambitions and lofty resolves to j if the
excel. And I ask is this not practical prayer, why
work, and is it not an eminently fit pre- means' of
paration for the activities of life? I belief, and
There remains but one other criticism I ism. The
to meet. And what need be said in an- cultured intellect
swer to those who would place any restric-; some teaclteif^E|
tion upon education, who would contend j minds are affected’
for a monopoly of its inestimable I put forwaid their
blessings? Such an idea is the nat-! hazard. Thn tinirhirtgl bfthe Bible are
ural outgrowth i.f a selfish sou!. if plain um.i simple. “So plain that a way-
the principle he admitted as correct, | faring man though a fool need not err
upon what basis must it be placed? Must tum in." therefore they need no common: -
it be on birth, or blood, or race or wealth? : from the \teachfir, and aside from the
Ami who must he the arbiters in such a i prayers wLieh the Divine Master has
momentous decision? If some are to be 1 taught usj no prayer is needed in the
hewers of wood and drawers of water, ! school house of the republic. This is rev-
from what class shall the selection in- : ereuee for God’s Intelligence as well as for
made for these menial duties. Shall it be : his holy word.
from mine or from yours? The response I The schools of the land.are made re
ts an emphatic no. Then the question ! sponsible for mtwb.immoraffty, irreligion
recurs where shall we begin to make the I and godiesdnmlFvMBk they never fostered
selection? Tlie only solution is found iu I or inculcated. For example, a noted man
universal education. The blessings and
privileges we claim for ourselves,we should
seek to extend to others. There should
be no monopoly in education neither as to
quality or extent. Let it be like the air
we breathe free to all. Thus only may we
hope to elevate the human family and fit
it for its high destiny.
ticity in it. The classes are moulded into
iron-cast grades into which the pupils are ' The abnormal growth of any one faculty
in some way made to fit. Like a grist mill must be accomplished at the expense of all
into whose hopper the good and the bad
grain alike are poured, the result being a
product of inferior quality, so the bright
and the sluggish minds are forced into the
same grade in our schools with a result
equally unsatisfactory to both. These
critics hold “that it is the duty of the edu
cator to study the minds of each individual
pupil, to discover the peculiar aptitude of
each and to adopt his instruction accord
ingly.” This is certainly a roseate view
to take of the work of the instructor and
can only be objected to on the ground that
it is wholly impracticable.
But there is still another phase of criti
cism, if indeed it be worthy the dignity of
such a nomenclature. The universality of
education a3 contemplated by our system
of public education is made by some the
chief basis of objection and opposition to
the ethers. It has always struck me as a
marvelous achievement that, amid his
multifarious duties and exacting cares,
the grand old statesman of England has
found time now to translate into his ver
nacular some of the ancient classics, now
to discuss the knotty points of theology,
and again to electrify a critical audience
with burning words of eloquence. In him
is presented a living instance of a mind
educated in its entirety. It is not the
work of the teacher to educate his
pupils for special vocations, bnt to
train and discipline their minds
so that they may be prepared for
any pursuit they may choose to follow in
after life. It is expected of him that he
will arouse and stimulate dormant fac
ulties, to instil into his pupils a pure love
for learning, to give a symmetrical growth
The charge that the common schools
do not give a preparation for practical
life is a fallacy which the experienee of
thousands and the observation of tens of
thousands refute. The pulpit, the forum,
the counting rooms, the profession of
teaching and the shops are living wit
nesses to the truth, that these schools are
accomplishing a great work for our coun
try. Fellow-teachers, let us not be con
tent with what has been done. We have
much more to do. Let us gird ourselves
for greater achievements.
The theatre echoed with applause when
Mr. Baker sat down.
“They Fail to Cultivate the Religious
Sentiment or M Teaeli Morality,” was
then read by Superintendent L. H. Ford,
of Newnan.
Schools, I take it, as used in this subject,
means the public schools and the unsecta
rian private schools of the country.
First, let it be assumed that there is
cause for this criticism, and let us then in
quire for its true source.
We will begin with the teachers. Are
the teachers of America a class of men
and women whose contact with children
would make the children Godless, irrever
ent, immoral? I know of no gathered
statistics that would show what per cent
of tlie teachers of America are members of
evangelical churches, or make public pro
fession of religion of the Savior, and even
though such statistics were at hand, they
would be of little service in estimating the
degree of religious influence that teachers
exert over their pupils, for many faithful
believers of the truth of religion and con
sistent members of the church make no
outward effort to exert a religious influ
ence. We can, therefore, only rely on
eneral observation, guided by the
morality of society, which sus
tains teachers in their work
for information concerning the moral and
religions standing of the American school
teachers. I have never heard, and have
never read, an arraignment of teachers of
this country for their looseness of charac
ter. fin the contrary teachers more often
cause themselves to be brought into public
notoriety for the enforcement of a moral
standard, sanctioned by the divine writers
of both the Old and New Testament scrip
tures, tiian for the expression of heret ical
notions quickly caught up by every un
lettered believer whose faitli borders on
superstition. It may be safely said that a
great majority of American teachers are
believers and professors of religion. This
must be so from the very nature of our
society. The people of America, whatever
may have been said to the contrary, are
peculiarly a religious people, and their re
ligious beliefs are as sacred as the lives of
their children. This fact makes it impos
sible for the skeptic or infidel to prosper
a teacher. What success, think
you, would Mr. Ingersoll have
as an applicant for the work
of principal of a grammar school with the
right reserved that he should show up to
the boys and girls occasionally the “mis
takes! of Moses?” Men and women of
America have gone through the shear
gratification of curiosity by thousands to
hear his brilliant blasphemy who would
not take their boys and girls along. Many
sects do not make sharp divisions in our
society now as once they did. The people
of America have forever settled their re
ligious wranglings, a fact which has caused
many ecclesiastical bigots to doubt tie Ir
piety, or belief in God. No more martyrs
of the faith in this country, for ail have
learned that charity is greater than faith.
We must look then elsewhere than
among the teachers for the ground of our
criticism. Can it be that our laws are at
fault? What say the laws of the land on
this subject of moral teaching? 1 know
of but two States that do not by law en
courage the inculcation of the Christian
religion into the daily teachings of the pub
lic schools, while many local acts require the
reading of the Scriptures daily; and still
very many teachers with whom the matter
is optional, following their own wishes,
openly recognize God and the Bible in
their daily work. It can scarcely be said
then that our schools are scriptundess,
godless, immoral, by law. True, tlie law
prohibits the teaching of creeds, and for
the sake of social harmony and protection
to the freedom of conscience, so dear to
every American citizen, it refuses to rec
ognize such teaching as within the needs
of public education. But creed and Chris
tianity are vastly different to any mind
that is not biased by dogmatic prejudice.
Must we then look to society, the vast
public that patronizes the schools, for the
cause of their godlessness? I have just
endeavored to show' that it is the jealous
care that the American people have of
their religious beliefs that keeps the teach
ing profession in a manner free of infidels
and skeptics. The American people, as
a nation, have from their first exist
ence professed belief in God, and
do so now no less than formerly. Let
“In God We Trust” stamped on coins be
witness. Let the recognition of God in
Congress and in every department of the
Government be witness. Let our annual
Thanksgivings with their official procla
mations be witness. Let the recognition
by law everywhere of the Holy Sabbath be
witness. However indifferent as a people
we may be about religions observances and
ceremonies, we deeply believe in God.
fThe State of Texas forbids, by law', the
reading of the Bible in her public schools,
and the Supreme Court of Wisconsin has
recently decided that the reading of the
Bible in the schools of that State
is unconstitutional on the ground
that reading it is inculcating sectarianism.
These States are declared to be in the
wrong by the vast majority of American
people. If the holy Scriptures had never
been commented on, creeds in Christendom
would be unknown. Creeds, therefore,
are the work of man and not of God. And
sectarianism, while it may lay claim to
Scriptural origin, is only the result of
ritualistic wrangling, and God's Word can
not be held responsible for it. This,
therefore, should be no bar to the reading
of the Scriptures daily in our schools. The
Bible is the great text book of moral in
struction, and although it may be said
that it was made for other men in other
times than ours, yet it reaches all today,
and no other guide can take its
place in teaching men both how to live
and how to die. Comment on Scripture
read in the public schools should be for.
in the Roman church In England he
proven with great self satisfaction that in
the States of the Unite J States in which
ignorance is the most prevalent, that there
is a far higher degree of morality among
the people, shown by a much less per cent
of criminals than in those States where
schools have been open free to all ever
since the Republic began its wonder
ful history. It is not my
purpose to make any answer
to such absurd talk as this. It comes from
a prejudiced and unimformed source. The
parochial schools have their full share of
the sins of childhood and men and women
who were taught in these schools, dedi
cated to the patron saints of the church,
furnish their full share of the criminals,
and evil-doers generally, to the world. In
fidelity. skepticisms, profanity, general
immorality are abroad, just as thieving,
embezzlement, adoltery, and murder are
abroad. The Priests have taught their
full pro rata of those who commit those
sins. Our jails and penitentiaries are the
goal to which much of the social bilge
water of European society taught to rever
ence the I’ope and the ceremonies of the
church lias finally come in this the new
Western world.
Let us examine a few of the denuncia
tions uttered by Romanists of high stand
ing against onr schools.
Says Cardinal Manning, of England.
“The common school system withdraws the
child from the influences which the law
of nature has provided for its moral
training and formation, and it
substitutes . and can substitute
nothing in the place of the parental con
science, responsibility, love .and interest in
the welfare and moral formation of the
child.”
Now, is it truly “parental conscience,
responsibility, love and interest” that this
worthy Catholic is pleading for? Does onr
common school system draw the child
from tlie parental responsibility and love
more than any other school system would
do? No teacher has pupils under her
training more than five hours a day for
live days in the week, and this does not
continue more than three-fourths of the
year, and often only one-third of it. The
actual time, therefore, that a child is un
der tlie immediate control of the teacher is
about in proportion to the time when he is
under other infineeqBS as one to ten. To
what source, therefore^- most we look for
tlie greater force, or if not-the greater
force, at least for the more opportunity of
moulding the child’s moral and religions
character. The parent is supposed ta.ha.ve
the child under “his conscience responsi
bility and love” all this preponderance
of time. The hours of “the
day when the teacher has him are the
very hours, too, when, if he were not
sheltered in the school against the temp
tations of the street he would be more
likely to be exposed to moral contamina
tion and sin. The teacher and the school,
therefore, become indirectly a .protection
against the probable neglect of the parent.
To be sure, even our good Catholic cardi
nal would not say that the teaeher would
demoralize the ehild and so befoul his very
soul with moral filth, as the sins of the
street would be likely to do. It would
seem from this great man’s criticism,
therefore, that all schools are baneful,
since all alike must take the child away
from the parent, and hence all schools
must be abolished because all parents are
not the teachers. But what the cardinal
means is this: Since the common school
teaches no dogma, therefore it “can sub
stitute nothing in the place of parental
conscience, responsibility, love and inter
est.” This ia dogma m all its dogmatic
dogmatism and narrowness. It is simply
aying that the tyrannical mle of the
church is the only moral code under
heaven which men can be subjected to
lawfully.
Let us propose to the cardinal that
we remove this restraint against
sectarian teaching in our schools, and
where tlie teacher is not a preacher or a
pri.ct let one be employed to go to the
schools daily to spend some time teaching
tlie dogmas of the church. We will say a
protestant minister shall go and spend
two hours daily in this service. Would
onr Catholic cardinal think then more
highly of our common schools, or would
lie send his own children to one of them,
or allow Catholic parents to do so? Again,
allow a priest to go with the protestant
brother, and let them divide time. Would
this be satisfactory to any one? W“ will
say nothing afoot the difficulty of deciding
what denomination of. the protestant
church should provide this brother. How
piam it is to any unprejudiced mimitbat
our schools can admit neither the profe-n-
ant nor the Catholic in this way. I fail
to see how the acquirement of knowledge
such as our children are compelled to gain
in school in order to become educated can
interfere with proper training in morals,
unless the narrow statement of Cardinal
Gibbons be accepted that “no rioral teach
ing can lie thorough that is not based
on dogmatic troth.” Roman Catholic dog
matism and protestant dogmatism are
ihinetrically Opposite in many respects.
i • «“ have no moral
training vitfowtf the one or the other,
then it follows flat one part of the va«:
host of pe<—* *— ■ "
these dog
morals.
such reas
which is vi
good but a
Pharisaism
Which shal
Bishop
says of the
“An Amet
pecuniary
to them (tl
that historjfi
that it is ~
of Amerii
of public
twelfth ce;
stake, yet
strictly Gi
make out
who do not
ingly re:
children ti
support of
same saim
man pays
boys; he hi
master’s
means, of
will not, ‘
aforetho
ing them
master, h;
ing to sent
school hoi
[coil
ho follow the teachings
ust be wholly lacking goodW
, inevitable logic of |
3 that reasoning
: .IBid knows no
ft ia eeremoneous
publican penitence,
divine blessing?
^Rochester, N. 1'.,
school system:
-. . peaaecnMng by
wnl be more hateful
yffgfa) than any
W- aU This simply means
to tax the people
~ tor tlie support
i was in the,
heretics to the*
professes to be
withal. To
ists
domineer-
send their
It, for the
■y«D, this
“A eoaeh-
Of his own
in State schools his
coachman he
Catholic, and
ion and malice
. . ihlren by send-
» public sc! bpol, while his
interest in his, is will-
tobc damned in a Sfhje
What kind of reasoning is
>OX#OCKTH FAG*.]
ML*
