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Chicago Tribune. "Praises Savages’ Raising of Child." Chicago Tribune 21 July 1909: 9.

Chicago Tribune

PRAISES SAVAGES’ RAISING OF CHILD.
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Prof. William I. Thomas Says Their Methods Excel Those of Civilization.
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BLOW AT EXAMINATIONS.
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Dr. Frank W. Gunsaulus Asserts Pupils of Today Are All Rules and Dates.

That the savage has several lessons for the civilized to learn was the opinion expressed by Prof. William I. Thomas of the University of Chicago in an open lecture yesterday in Kent theater on "The Education of the Savage Child!"

Prof. Thomas humbled the pride of his auditors by informing them their mentalities are not superior of those of a savage. He concluded his lecture with a scathing denunciation of society for neglect of the science of eugenics, at which, he added, the savage excels.

"Much of the instruction which the savage child gets may appear foolish to us," he said, "but when we consider what it all means, there is a different story. One lesson which we could learn from the uncivilized — and it is the big problem of this day — is what society’s duty should be in enforcing proper child raising.

Says Savage Points the Way

"The savage point the way for us in this respect. With all his formal instruction, he lays down certain rules of marrying and obligation of various sorts which make the child consistently useful.

"There would be no criminals today if we used the savage system of education among our boys. The savages are trained to grow up so that they never think of their own wants until they have aided their neighbors in securing the necessities of life. How fine something of this sort would be among us."

At the same time Prof. Tomas saw advantages which Americans have over Hindoos or even Japanese.

"This detailed control of society over the individuals among savages also has its unfortunate side," he said. "It forces all to be alike."

Gunsaulus on Education

The Rev. Frank W. Gunsaulus, speaking on "The Educative Problem and Its Solution," in Mandel hall, arraigned what he termed the "cistern" method of education.

"We have too many of the cistern educated boys," he said. "They are taught by blundering individuals who fill them up with book knowledge until they have reached their capacity, then plaster it all over.

"No spontaneous thing can seep into the child’s mind. He is all rules and dates. If I had my way, there would be no examinations. These spoil the continuity which should exist during the term of education."

 

 

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