THE OTHER SIDE

BY R. H. HOLBROOK

It seems to be the vogue nowadays to scold at public high schools, indeed, to impute all sorts of dreadful things to the public schools generally. It will be an evil day for the public schools when the public cease to find fault with them. They owe their strength and their vitality to constant criticism. Some schools are yet lingering in the gloomy flummeries of mediævalism for lack of this stimulus. It is not saying too much to assert that the most, if not all, the quickening of educational processes in all the schools and colleges of this country has come from the public schools, and this is due to the fact that the public schools are near the people, their masters. They are subject to a constant inspection by the people; to the regular accounting to the people; to thorough overhauling by the people; to an occasional overturning by the people. Superintendents, principals, and teachers are never so fixed in their processes and settled in their positions that they can feel entirely independent. "Pulls" are mighty for some favorites, but even the best "pull" will not keep a genuine incompetent in place. There are too many competents who can make a pull valuable to the "puller," as well as to the "pullee."

High schools are now enjoying a comfortable reminder by the public, that they "drive" so many first-year pupils from their classes into the street. It is possible that some high schools are unwittingly guilty of the charge, but an examination of those pupils who drop out the first year will reveal the fact that, in a large majority of cases, no modification of the course, no more kindly assistance from the teachers, no further introduction of alluring attractions, would help the matter in the least.

In the first place, many fall out because of change of residence. In the second place, many are compelled by the necessities of bread-winning to give up their course. Some of these leave with regrets, and some with tears, the parents deploring it as much as the children.

Again, many fall away because of ill health. For there are some feeble-bodied children who should not be expected to do the work of the boy and girl of average strength; nor are their disabilities due to

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the cruel "strain" put upon them by the schools.

Some few fail because of lack of preparation, and they prefer to give up rather than go on behind their class. The madness. this, and parents are frequently to blame. about standing is largely responsible for

To be behind is too often considered a shame and a disgrace, whereas quite a number of the first year high school pupils ought to take two years for the first year's work, and without prejudice. They are, oftentimes, too young, lacking mental fibre, needing one high school level of thought and study. year in which to adjust themselves to the

Finally, there are those who do not wish to attend school. They have always done it under protest. Their parents and the truant officer have succeeded in keeping them at their books so far. The truant law now being inapplicable, and their parents ately choose to loaf. having no control over them, they deliber

So far as I know, there are no persons so anxious to keep the boys and girls in school as the high school teachers. If parents were as interested, and would stand pluckily with the teachers, half of them who drop out would remain.

Yet the fault-finding criticism is good for the high schools. They need it. Many would possess the short-comings they are accused of if they were not continually accused. In some instances, at least, it is a case of David Harum's fleas.-N. E. Journal of Education.

WE extend thanks to our readers for the cordial support and appreciation shown us during the year, and wish them a pleasant vacation and a return to work in the fall with an abundance of health and vitality.

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For those teachers who think Detroit too far away, an excellent educational meeting is available in the American Institute of Education, which holds its annual meeting this year July 5-8, at Saratoga, in this state. This association annually gathers together the brightest and best minds of New England. An attendance at its sessions will amply repay any one making the journey

thereto.

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We have purposely refrained from commenting or expressing an opinion on the disagreement in the Faculty of the School of Pedagogy of New York University. We are too far from the scene and too little acquainted with the exact facts in the case to express an intelligent judgment. Our advice was not asked and we have felt that

Rev. Dr. George D. Alexander, Chancellor

McCracken and the university authorities are quite competent to handle the affair and to do justice.

Our hope is that a prompt adjustment and reconciliation will at once be brought about and that the university and educational interests will soon again have the united and efficient service of that gifted and earnest band whom differences of method, rather than ideals, are now keeping apart.

cisms that have been passed upon the Park would have been met. Teachers must have some enjoyment in connection with the work done there. For most of those attending the Institute the time spent thereat is the only vacation they can afford.

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HARPER'S Weekly, in a cartoon ridiculing the Revised Charter for New York City, portrays Father Knickerbocker as burdened with a barrel stuffed with objectionable contents. One of these articles protruding from the barrel is marked "School Money Steal" the inference no doubt being that it refers to the Davis Salary Schedule and the Four Mills Special Tax Rate. We believe that Harper's Weekly has a sub-title "And Journal of Civilization." Notwithstanding this it publicly casts ridicule and incites animosity against measures designed to secure and keep in the teaching service worthy and cultured men and women, as against the allurements of commercial and other opportunities in that money-making city, and to insure adequate means for carrybeing worked out anywhere, i. e., the educaing on probably the greatest civilizing task tion for American citizenship of the largest and most nondescript mass of children anywhere gathered within school walls.

Has Harper's Weekly become so advanced as to be representative of the snobbish interests that have no use for public schools except as charity schools wherein to give children only the rudiments at the least possible cost? Or is that publication now being made to sell, and hence forming its policy to fall in line with supposed popular clamor? Or, worst of all, did Harper's Weekly publish a cartoon containing that unwarranted and reactionary fling for, no other reason than because their artist in his desire to draw a strong picture had to bring in as many elements as possible, regardless of the truth and merit of the innuendo?

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PRINCIPAL MYRON T. SCUDDER, of the New Paltz Normal, recently mailed a circular letter to the principals and heads of schools in the territory supposedly feeders and contributary to the New Paltz Normal School.

The circular contained a very fair résumé of the deficiency found in, and the dificulties met with by students in the use and study of our mother tongue; but truth to tell there was nothing at all new in it, and nothing that the veriest elementary or academic teacher couldn't have told for the asking. Therefore, while the circular doubtless served some purpose by again calling attention to the existing conditions in regard to this subject, as is usually the case, it threw no light on the subject and offered no remedy or solution.

What teachers want, Mr. Scudder, is help as well as criticism. The difficulties alluded to are universally recognized and generally held to be attributable, first, to early environment and hereditary tendencies; secondly, to street and general public contaminating influences, such as cheap newspaper reading, etc.; and thirdly, lack of well-grounded training in English on the part of teachers themselves. For this

latter reason language and forms of expression that would jar and secure the persistent attention of the teacher using good English is daily unnoticed and therefore neither criticised nor corrected by most teachers. And hark, Mr. Scudder, there are those who say that the great majority of these teachers, in the past at least, have been furnished by State Normal Schools which admitted students on a mere examination test regardless of previous culture, and graduated them in almost the same blissful state after two years' study diet of methods and professional instruction.

The circular was a good diagnosis of the conditions. Now let us have the remedy. Send us out the teachers the State is entitled to after supporting a Normal System for a half a century.

FOR Some years past the State Council of City Superintendents have been seeking legislation that would require a college education, or an equivalent, for teachers in secondary schools and the advanced grammar grades of the elementary schools. Legislation to that effect has been approved at its annual meetings. The Regents at one time contemplated issuing an ordinance to that effect; and State Superintendent Skinner has prescribed that, after August 1, 1901, only teachers with such qualifications

shall be eligible for vacancies in those positions in cities where the authority of the Superintendent is unrestricted by the provisions of special charters.

But it appears from the State Superintendent's Report that educational opinion, and the desire of school authorities to obtain the best possible talent for their work, have already practically secured the result that the City Superintendents would have. brought about. In fact the discussion of the question seems to have been in one respect unnecessary, inasmuch as the statistics gathered by the State Superintendent show that the high schools and academies of the state are gradually, yet rapidly, attaining to the required condition, Albany and Rochester being the marked exceptions.

It is pleasant to record that our worthy superintendents, as far as academic work is concerned, were making a mountain out of a mole hill, and that nearly all of the forces in educational work had already been active in contributing to the securing for secondary schools that culture so necessary for the proper discharge of such work. Superintendent Skinner's direction, coupled with the popular educational trend in that direction, will likely secure like conditions in the advanced grammar grades.

It would now seem to be in order for the City Superintendents to bend their energies toward insisting upon professional training for every teacher engaged in secondary work. It is a notorious as well as an unpleasant fact to record that the teachers of elementary schools, because of chapter 1031 of the laws of 1895, are coming to their work and with a better appreciation of their aim and how best to secure it than those engaged in any other line of teaching.

Will it be Mr. Maxwell or Mr. Blodgett or Mr. Gorton that will bring this question up?

WE learn wisdom from failure more than from success; we often discover what will do by finding out what will not do.-Dr. Smiles.

HE which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bounalso sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.2 Cor. 9:6.

AT LARGE

The engagement of Prof. Melvin G. Dodge, of Hamilton College and Miss Dora M. Allen of Adams, is announced. The wedding, it is understood, will take place before Professor Dodge's departure for his new field of labor as associate librarian of Leland Stanford University, Palo Alto, Cal.

COUNTIES

Albany. There is considerable disappointment among the high school seniors on account of the determination to hold the commencement exercises in the high school chapel instead of Harmanus-Bleecker hall.-We omitted in our last issue, by mistake, to call attention to the very successful musicale given by Albany high school pupils under direction of Professor Oliver. The program was carried out in a manner highly creditable to both Professor Oliver and the school.The parade of the pupils of the Boys' academy was a successful and pleasing event. The school under Principal Warren's care is splendidly managed. The last issue of the Normal College Echo contained fine half-tone portraits of Prof. Albert N. Heusted, Ph. D., and Miss M. Harriet Bishop. -Miss Annette L. Crocker, teacher of history in St. Agnes school, Albany, has been appointed to a position in the Philippines. The appointment comes through the influence of President Eliot, of Harvard University.

Allegany The Northern Allegany Teachers' association held its meeting at Fillmore. The following program was taken up: "Libraries for Country Schools," by Miss Mary Rotchford, Hume; "Needs for Rural Teachers, Observed by My Visits," Com'r George W. D'Autremont; "Reading," Miss Martha Van Rensselaer, Randolph; "Methods in Percentage." Prin. A. C. Gillette, Andover; "Our Obligations," Dr. John M. Milne, Geneseo Normal; "The Laboratory Method of Teaching Physiology," Prin. L. D. Wilcox, Canaseraga: "Suggested Outline for a Series of Works to be Read, Studied and Memorized Through the Grades," Mrs. Anna R. Silvers, Belfast; "Educational Waste in Education," Prin. W. Floyd Harris, Almond; "School Management," Dr. John M. Milne, Geneseo Normal. Prin. Edward Maguire is president of the asso. ciation. The people of Fillmore are very wisely considering the question of making their school a union school.-Miss Margaret O. Dwyer, of the Angelica school has resigned her position.

Broome. The Schoolmasters' club of Binghamton have elected Prof. E. B. Horton president and Miss Nellie P. Clark secretary and treasurer. Supt. D. L. Bardwell gave an interesting talk before the club.-The teachers' train ing class at Union numbers twenty-one, and is under the careful instruction of Miss Anna Fletcher. Principal Lusk has been re-engaged for the fourteenth year of service, and all his teachers have been hired for another year.

Cattaragus. -The County Teachers' association met at Salamanca and listened to the following fine program: "Co-operation Between the Rural and Village Schools. How Can it Be Secured," Burdette Phillips, Allegany, Dennis L. Moore. Delevan: "The Importance of Develop ing in Our Pupils a Taste for Good Literature." Miss Velma C. Brown, Gowanda; "The Teacher's Example," Rev. E. A. Bishop, Chamberlain Institute; "The Practical in Our Common School Course," F. E. Baker, Randolph, W. F. Hoyt, Chamberlain Institute, C. J. Melrose, Ellicottville; "The Study of the Masterpieces of Art with Children," Miss Mary A. Larkin, Olean; "Keeping Pupils after School," I. J. McGinity, Cattaraugus, Glenn W. Blasdell, Versailles, Miss Or E. Bedient. Little Valley; "Sympathy as a Factor in School Management," Miss Alice Lattin, Cattaraugus; "Helps in Class Work." F. D. Guilford, Great Valley. Prof. M. T. Dana, of the Fredonia Normal, who is always practical and interesting, gave a lecture on "Epigram ani Repartee." Prin. Burdett Phillips, of Allegany, contributed some excellent suggestions in the line of co-operation between village and rural schools. Prin. Dennis L. Moore, of Delevan, advanced the same subject with good arguments. Some kin of a township system, together with a general adoption of some uniform course of study, seemed to be the remedy most generally proposed. Prin. F. E. Baker, of Randolph, encouraged more prac tical work in English, also along commercial lines. Prin. C. J. Melrose, of Ellicotville, endorsed the arguments of Principal Baker. Superintendent Bell, of Salamanca, spoke further upon the subject, stating that the main trouble was with our definition of the term practical. There is no uniformity among utilitarians themselves. Were we to listen to their restrictions, we would be obliged to eliminate the entire common school course, as it now stands, and we would have no foundation upon which to build another, as no considerable number could be found who would agree upon what is in reality "practical." Miss Velma C. Brown, of Gowanda, had an excellent paper. The papers and discus sions of others were all taken up, and the program completed to the profit of all. The following officers were elected: President, Miss Christina McLennan ; vice-president, Prin. F. E. Baker; treasurer, Miss Alice Lattin; secretary, Miss Childs.

Cayuga. Great interest was taken at Auburn in the caucus for nominations of school commissioners for that city. A large vote was polled and many women were present to exercise their right of franchise. Members of the old board, Edgar B. Mosher, Patrick M. Herron, John E. Myer, Arthur S. Hoyt, Henry D. Parsell and Daniel L. Ramsey, were the successful candidates.

Chautauqua.—Prin. A. C. Anderson, one of the strongest school men of Chautauqua county, has again been re-engaged at Forestville.-Prof. Carl LeSalle, of the Jamestown high school, will leave June 23d for Europe. He expects to tour the

country by wheel.-Ellington has secured the privilege of teaching a training class. The school is in prosperous condition under the management of Prin. E. B. Luce and a fine corps of teachers.Chautauqua county teachers never do things by halves, as the following program for the county association meeting shows. The meeting was held in Dunkirk. The officers who arranged this program are: E. E. Scribner, president; G. R. Raynor, vice-president; Miss Lucy F. Baker, secretary; Miss Mertie B. Fitch, treasurer. Following is the program: Piano solo, Chopin, waltz, C sharp minor. Liszt, Miss Mariamni Clark, Fredonia Normal school; address of weicome, Dr. J. T. Williams, Dunkirk; response, Dr. Francis B. Palmer; paper, "School Discipline as a Factor in Moral Development," Prin. M. J. Fletcher, Jamestown; (a) discussion opened by Prin. Preston K. Pattison, Westfield; "Latin in the Village High School," Prin. A. C. Anderson, Forestville, (b) discussion opened by (a) Prin. Hiram J. Baldwin, Ripley; (b) Prin. John M. Crofoot, Cherry Creek; vocal solo, selected, Miss May Alden, Fredonia Normal school; "Common Errors in English and How to Correct Them," Miss Anna McLaury, Fredonia; (c) discussion opened by Miss Mary J. Nelson, Jamestown; piano solo, selected, Miss Adelaide Scott, Dunkirk high school; piano solo, Hungarian Rhapsody. Liszt, Miss Jessie Hillman, instructor of instrumental music, Fredonia Normal school; vocal solo, selected, Miss Belle Tiffany, instructor of vocal music, Fredonia Normal school; lecture, "Rational Education," Dr. Charles F Wheelock, of the Regents, office; piano solo, selected, Miss Jennie Curtin, Dunkirk high school; paper, "The Teachers' Relation to the Pupil and the Community," Miss Mabel Reed, Dunkirk; (a) discussion Opened by Prin. J. S. Wright, Falconer; "The Strenuous Recitation," Prin. S. F. Moran, Sinclairville; (b) discussion opened by Prin. P. F. Marshall, Brocton; vocal solo, selected, Miss May Alden, Fredonia Normal school; "Consoiidation of the Rural Schools," Com'r Grant E. Neil, Ashville; (c) discussion opened by (a) Com' Winfield A. Holcomb, (b) Pliny T. Smith; "The Purpose of the High School," Prin. Evans S. Parker, Dunkirk; (d) discussion opened by Supt. Rovillus R. Rogers, Jamestown; vocal solo, selected, Miss Mollie Rouse, Dunkirk high school; lecture, Dr. Samuel H. Albro, Fredonia.

Chemung.-Prof. S. C. Estey has disposed of his interest in the Elmira School of Commerce. Prof. Burton C. Meeker assumes the presidency of the institution.

Chenango.-Prin. B. C. Van Ingen, of Norwich, who, by the wav, takes commendable interest in educational work in his vicinity, sends us the program of the meeting of the Chenango County Teachers' association, held in that village. It is as follows: Lecture, Prof. Arthur M. Wright, department of public instruction; "The Recitation," Prin. S. J. Gibson; discussion, Miss Bertha R. Kain, Prin, Charles R. Loomis; "Experience and Methods." Prin. F. W. Crumb; discussion, Prin. D. M. Edgerton, Prin. H. W. Butts; "English in the Grades," Miss Cornelia Beare; discussion, Miss Rachel Dithridge, Prin. W. T. Hutchings; "Place of Principles in Teaching," Prin. J. W. Lombard; discussion, Prin. C.

S. Gibson, Prin. J. H. Crain; "Correct Habits at School," Prin. B. C. Van Ingen; discussion, Prin. A. R. Mason. Principal Butts, of Smyrna, was elected president; Principal Lombard, of Greene, vice-president; Commissioner Poole, secretary; Miss Cornelia Beare, treasurer.-Miss Mary Southworth, of the Norwich school, has resigned her position. Miss Caroline Spencer succeeds to the position. Miss Rachael Dithridge has also resigned to accept a position at Tonawanda.

Clinton. The Clinton County Teachers' association met at Plattsburg. The following program was taken up: Lecture, by M. Woolsey Stryker, D. D., president of Hamilton College; paper, "Essential Work Done in Teaching," Miss Elizabeth A. Rooney; paper, "Working and Waiting," Prof. E. A. Parks; paper, "The Recitation,' Prof. G. M. Lasell; paper, "A Plea for Child Study," Miss Emma S. Wardle. The officers of the association are: President, Jasper Robertson, Plattsburgh; vice-president, E. A. Parks, Plattsburgh; second vice-president, Miss Ruth E. Newcomb, Plattsburgh; secretary, F. H. Davis, Plattsburgh; treasurer, Miss Margaret Lucas, Champlain. The address by President Stryker was received with much enthusiasm.

Columbia.-Miss Jennie Roberts, of Hudson, has been engaged as principal at Mellenville.— Miss Margaret Daley, of Chatham, has been em. ployed as a grade teacher at Hudson.-Prin. Wilbur H. Lynch, of the Chatham school, has been elected principal of the Amsterdam school. His services at Chatham show him to be a school man of exceptional good sense and ability.

Cortland. To relieve the over-crowded condition of the Homer school, two assistant teachers, Mrs. Fred T. Newcomb and Miss Mabel Watrous, have been engaged. These teachers wil! give individual assistance to pupils.

Dutchess. The vacancy in the principalship of the Poughkeepsie school has been filled by the appointment of Clarence H. Woolsey, Ph. D., `a graduate of Harvard University, and of the Cortland Normal. He has also taken post-grad uate work at Washington University. He has been supervisor of methods and teacher of mathematics in the Jamaica Normal school.

Erie. The Principals' association at a recent meeting considered the following question: "Regulation of Entrance into First Grade," led by F. W. Fisher. Among those who spoke on the subject were Adolph Duschak, Supt. H. P. Emerson, Miss Elder and L. J. Knell. The election resulted as follows: President. George E. Smith; vice - president, F. W. Fisher; secretary, Milford Kleis; treasurer, William A. Mackay; board of directors, Charles Morey, A. G. Bugbee, A. W. Shepard, Charles Goldsmith and William D. Fisher.-The Women Teachers' association of Buffalo has chosen the following officers: Dr. Ida C. Bender, who has presided over the affairs of the organization for a number of years, was again chosen for president. The other officers elected are: Miss Isabelle M. Ryan, first vice-president; Miss Mary E. Navagh, second vice-president; Miss Ellen M. Lawless, recording secretary, Miss Harriet E. Bull, corresponding secretary; Miss Martha M. J. Unholz, financial secretary, and Miss Harriet Glies, treas