The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-06-01
LOCAL ArrAI1S .
Whipping In the Public Schools.
THURSDAY, May n, 1852

X. JAMES GORDON BENNETT
SIR have this moment read an article in your
per Of this morning, under the above caption, and
|fer the signature of T. G. N, complaining in
bod set terms, and as father should, of the-I
Nh give it the term-barbarous treatment Of his
tile daughter-a child of five years Of age, and at
inding one of our primary schools.
4 wonder he kept his temper as we'll as he did
pwever, as it was lady teacher he was talking to
rand he u father and mani presume accounts
~ the quiet and business like course ne pursued
ut when he spoke to the Trustees OF that sec
ION, and got for consolation an assurance that
ley were in favor of whipping, and that if he
M. G.. N J had been whipped more when lac was
Dung, it would hare been better for HIM
N ell, he's philosspher--he did not knock them
;iwn, and l am gladofit / hope, for the sake of
/, manity and the we'll being Of his child in after
'3e. no took her home.
YNow sir, whipping in the schools is not tolerated
Y the laws of this State 1t is an old custom hand
7 down to us from the barbarous ages" and is
hy legalised in Mahomedan countries, where tho
hstinado is yet apped to the soes of the students
the Koran, to help them on their pilgrimage to
20 temple Of science. This operation is supposed
enliven tht understanding, and was adopted by
christian peAagogues. who applied it indiscrimi-
atey to any part of the body, with u view, as the
1cisnt saying is, Of " making them smart" Whip
ing and oher corporeal punishments are not counte-
pnced or sanctioned by the Public School Society
i is fullyevidenced by their ''Manual for Teach
u.s." anf the public good demands the name of
lay man trustee or not, who not only advocates
spedes Of cruelty, but especially assures tn
&ther that no would have been the better for NOR
this sort of punishment in early life. The seat-
sent fraught with enormties too monstrous for
precipitation. Give us the names, and don't per-
iit tie excellent system OF instruction to be injured
tie misd0ings of one teacher or one set of trus-
es The society are numerous, and have super-
sisn over all these things, and possess the power
ind will exercise it, too) of redress
A TRUSTEE OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SOCIETY,"
New YORK, May %, 1852.
MES GORDON BENNETT, ESQ :
DEAR SIR-Seeng communication in your
,per of yesterday, headed Whipping in Public
hools," induces me to hope you win insert what
lows IL have had until recently, four children
BENDING ward school. Some two months SINCE
edest-a girl of nearly Is years Of age-was
Fused by the principal of having spoken in class
pm; and while in the act of denying it-(one Of
DO spoke)-was struck blow from behind by her,
hexpected to the girD the marks of which re-
hned for several hours. The effect of the blow
Is to throw the child into species Of hysteric
T. from which the teachers. aided by an assistant
I'm the male department, endeavored in vain to
over her, and were finally obliged to send her
tno. Aftor the application of draughts to her
" and hands, soaking her feet, &c--the whole
hupying several hours-she was restored from what
.was feared by her friends would terminate in
ocity. Immediately addressed a communication
the trustees, stating the facts as above The only
.istaction offered being an opportunity of an in
view with the principal, to allow herto apologize,
especially declined-since which time | have
sard nothing from it.. Having been connected
til this same school for some years, during which
ne fogging was abolished from the female depart
INT, and under which system Improvement was at
psf as rapid as at present. am astonshed such a
Isty tempered person is permitted to remain in
+ school Yours respectfully. G..