Glamorgan Free Press

•*Y Gwir yn arbyn y Byd."—Kj/ntric Proverb. "Give me, above aU other liberties, the liberty to know, to utter, and to argue freely, according to conscience."—John Milton.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1898. COMMERCIAL EDUCATION. The Examinations Board of the National Unian of Teachers have been considering the need for improvement in the instruction given in Commercial subjects, and their recently issued syllabus of work presents some interest- ing features. Thus, under the heading Commercial Correspondence and Office Work," in addition to the ordinary routine, it is suggested that candidates for the commercial examinations of the Board should be required to make rough drawings of given objects and be able to indicate the dimensions necessary in order to make the drawing of practical value. The curricula of many of the best Commercial Schools on the Continent have been freely drawn upon, and the young English student, like his German compeer, will now be instructed in the art of advertising his business, issuing ap- propriate circular letters, and filling up cheques and telegrams. The Board have received the assistance of many practical business men with a view to making the syllabus as useful as possible. In modern languages it is stated that the words and sentences throughout will require a vocabulary I dealing largely with names and qualities of articles exchangeable in trade. Regular and irregular verbs are to be confined to those in common use and in use in commercial transactions. Numbers, values, weights and measures, with their equivalents ili the various I languages will be required. Shorthand and typewriting have their place in the syllabus as a matter of course, and certificates and medals will be awarded to successful candidates at the examinations. In arithmetic a special feature has been made of the Metrie System, and the coinage of the various countries with which we are connected commercially, and the necessity of short and practical methods adapted to business purposes has been emphasised.

PERHAPS in order to set the public right in respect to the reply of the Clerk of the Ystradyfodwg School Board to the Rev. Win. Lewis on the validity of the amendment carried some moaths since respecting married mistresses, it will be well to quote the section of the Act upon which Mr Howell based his interpretation. The Education Acts prescribe certain regulations with regard to the meetings of School Boards, and the transactions of the business at such meetings. The section which touches the validity or otherwise of that memorable proceeding is as follows:— No business involving the appointment or dismissal of a teacher, any new expense, etc., etc., shall be transacted, unless notice in writing of such business has been sent to every member four days at least before the meeting." Mr D. Williams' motion was in order because it was on the agenda and the usual interval between receipt of notice and the meeting had been observed. His proposition did not make the motion apply to existing mistresses in the service of the Board but was to apply only to the existing spinster mistresses who would make a matrimonial contract. But the amendment which was passed carried the dismissal of persons not signified by the original motion, and thus the whole proceedings were invalidated. It is a pity that the smoke of that memorable so battle obscured the characteristic acuteness of the Board as to lose all sight of technical, legal, and vital conditions or, they would have been spared the confusion of a stultifying decision. I THE great importance of the Welsh Intermediate scheme to the future well-being of the country, renders it essential that no impediments should hinder its developement on a sound democratic basis. Without being too captious in our criticisms, and with a sole desire to give good and practicable advice, we have no hesitation in saying that many improvements are possible in the entrance scholarship examinations, as affecting elementary school children. It should be a sine qua non that only those conversant with the mental aptitude and average abMity of the young competitors should set the questions and tabulate the results, and hence § practical experience of the work actually done in Primary schools is a real necessity. The range of subjects too, though reasonable in some cases, is not always such as to work out equitably and fairly. Certain portions of the syllabus are made compulsory, which ought only to be optional, and thus give children in different schools a fair battle-field with an equal chance of victory all round. The number and monetary value of the scholar- ships themselves are often lamentably small, and by no means as generous as the circumstances warrant. The oft-quoted complete educational ladder, reaching to the University, remains in abeyance for the child of the worker, however brilliant is the acquirement of knowledge, until the expense becomes appreciably reduced, and it is not unreasonable to hope that in the near future, the scholar- ships will at least cover the combined eost of fees and books. When it is considered that the responsibility of maintenance and respectable clothing, as well as possible travelling items of expenditure have still to be provided, our contention is self- explanatory. The inauguration of any great policy is always accompanied by certain defects, which can only be remedied as the result of ex- perience gained in its practical application, and we trust to see all anomalies wiped out in due time. It cannot be too well remembered that Wales is the pioneer in a splendid work, teeming with hopeful possibilities. The day must come when England follows our precedent in this direction, and by then our plans should have become so matured that she should only need have to copy our arrangements, and thus pay us, as a nation, a compliment of the highest possible character. +

THE release of Mr David Morgan was sharply unexpected. The days of progress are truly upon us. We have long been in a state of hopeless despair with respect to any exceptional clemency being shown towards the leaders of the people. The course of justice has had a mitigating deviation in many cases in the past, when the subject of the appeal belonged to the higher ranks of the people. In the prerogative of the far-distant authorities, they have invariably dis- tained the influential pressure of the people of the land, but it is in these recent years that we are having illustrations of the influence of the people's direct wish penetrating its authority to remit punishment. Mr David Morgan's prison life is the history of exceptional consideration throughout, and the biggest emphasis of all has been his release before the expiration of his penal time. We did not hesitate at the time to pronounce that there was evident discord between the judge's summing up and the decision of the jury. If ever a judge spoke for the verdict of You have committed a technical crime-go thy way and don't do it again," it was the Swansea justice at the last Assizes. The inconsistency has rankled in the people's mind ever since, and the premature release is justly a tribute to the progressive fact, we urge—that the people's cause is a power and an influence in the land. We are delighted to find that our friend has turned up once more smiling among those who have so long entrusted him with their con- fidence. The demonstration at Aber- dare was not only enthusiastic, it was deep and profound in its sincerity. We do not insinuate that the re- mission was a thwarting move to the pre-planned demonstration, but it has given a strong colour to the suspicion. Our reading of it is, that the people's passions and convictions are no longer of no account. They rule, and it will be well for all concerned to recognise it. If we ha7e justice, it must be justice above all reproach and criticism.

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The Editor, while welcoming letters on aH psblic topics, does uot hold himself reepon- sible for the opinions contained therein. Cen- tributors must write on one side of the paper only, and letters botef and to the point have preference for insertion. All communications must be accompanied by the correct name and address of the writer, not necessarily for pub- 'I lication, but as a guarantee of good faith.

Christian Endeavour. To the Editor. Dear Sir,—Will you kindly allow me a little space in your valuable paper to say a word. about the open air meetings now being held on Sunday evenings. I am sure I only state the feeling of many of the inhabitants of Pontypridd when I say that such services were sadly needed. Taff street on Sunday nights is crowded with people strolling aimlessly about, and it was a very time- ly action on the part of the Endeavours of the town to inaugurate these services. I have been given to. understand that the originators of the meetings came from Cardiff. They seem to have brought the zeal of Cardiff Christian Endeavours with them. Although not a member of the Society, I am in great sympathy with their work, and I trust this letter will encourage these young workers to go on with the good work they have begun--Yours sincerely, ONE DEEPLY INTERESTED IN THE WOlUt. ♦ —

Poqtypridd Couqty School. To the Editor. My attention has been called to a report in Monday's "Echo" of a resolution passed by the Governing Body of the above, at their meeting on Friday, for teaching at that school "by mixed classes." Had I been aware of this in time, I should certainly at our (Llantwit) Board meet- ing on Monday evening, have proposed a vote of censure on the action taken in the matter by our representative, the Rev Mr Richards. I will not detail my objections in this letter, but will lay the same before him at our next meeting. Yours truly, Church Village. THOMAS ROBLIN. » )

CAERPHILLY DISTRICT COUNCIL AND. THE SMOKE NUISANCE AT LLANBRADACH. To the Editor. On reading your issue of the 3rd irst., I was thurderstruck to see the ignorance glaringly displayed by our representatives on the above Council; also their want of courtesy to their inspector, Morgan. A report of a disgraceful nuisance was brought before their notice by their inspector (which was perfectly justified), and which, I am certain, would not be tolerated in any other part of Wales; but he was only assailed with such expressions as "Nonsense, nonsense"; and Better shut up the colliery altogether." I can vouch for the accuracy of the report in every respect, and I venture to say that if nuisances on a far smaller scale were caused by a poor ratepayer, the Caerphilly Council would pounce upon him like a hawk upon its prey; but with a powerful collirry company it is a case of keep our bands off." It is qxiite true that the small ashes in fint weather lies on the roofs of buildings, ayii further, the first shower of rain washes it down to the rainwater pipes, which are at once choked up. As far as the poor wives being able to save any rainwater, why, it is but of the question, and very often impossible to dry clothes outside- owing to the very same cause. I sincerely trust, therefore, the inhabitants of Llanbradach will not let the matter rest until the nuisance has been abated, which can easily be done, and I further hope they will not allow their Inspector to be brow-beaten in this manner. I am, etc., COMMON-SENSE.

Miners' Organisation. + A circular signed by Mabon and W. Evans (miners 'agent) has been sent to the workmen of the collieries in the Cambrian Association re- questing them to send representatives to a con- ference next Monday, the 19th inst., at the Park Hotel, Pontypridd, for the purpose of consider- ing the best and most practicable lines Upon which to build an efficient organisation upon Trades Union principles. On Monday a mass meeting of the Mardy Col- liery Workmen was held in the Park Field under the presidency of Mr J. Jones, checkweigher. Addresses were given by Mr W. Abraham, M.P., and Mr W. Evans, impressing upon the work- men the necessity of at once joining the proposed new organisation. Resolutions were passed ap- proving of the proposals.

PONTYPRIDD GUARDIANS. ESTIMATE FOR THE HALF YEAR. Mr E. H. Davies, J.P., presided over Wednes- day's meeting of the Guardians, when Mr E. C- Spickett, the clerk, submitted his estimate of the expenditure for the coming half year. He estimated the total expenditure to be £ 32,082.. For County purposes there would be required; Bl4,109, and for the Union £ 16,400. He pro- posed making the following calls: —Eglwysilan- parish, £ 1,600; Llanfabon, £ 900; LlantrisantL I- £ 1,500; Llantwit Fardre, £ 1,500; Ulanwonnor 14,000; Pontypridd, 96,000; and YstraddI- wg>. £ 15,5000. 'The estimate was adopted. Several applications were received for child- ren at the Cottage Homes, and were granted.

SUNDAY DRINKING AT PONTYPRIDD. At the Pontypridd Police Court on Wednes- day-before the Stipendiary and other magis- trates—RoBert Hollo way, crane driver, and Eli John son, labourer, Pontypridd; John Brafley, William Jackson, and Harry Williams, labour- ers, Cilfynydd, were summoned for being on li- censed premises on Sunday, 28th August. Johnson was the only one who*, appeared in; Courts, and he stated that he had alept at Barry. the night before. He was fined 5s, and the* other absent defendants 10s eaoh. Henry Thomas, engine driver; James Smithw engine-driver, and Mrs Elizabeth Jones, all oe. Pontypridd, were similarly charged. Mrs Jones produced a medical certificate abat- ing that her husband was ill, and bad beetl or- dered t. tafie brandy. The Bench thought, however, that it could wait until the Monday morning, and; all were fined 5s eaah.

The Mormons ace arranging "foe the conver- sion of Wales to the Mormonian faith." Seven- teen missionaries have just arrived in the Prin- cipality "to preach the Mormon Gospel and to perform miracles, provided the subject be sym- pathetic and of sufficient faith." The missiou- aries ha/e already started upon their preaching tour in Carmarthenshire; the congregations that assemble to hear their gospel are very small- When they get larger audiences than they have hitherto had they promise to perform miracles (?). Their mission is intended to counteract the efforts of the Church of Rome to convert the | Welsh people to Qxa Roman Catholic faith.