The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1855-10-18
EDUCATIONAL.
Power and Duty Of the Teacher In D's'
cipiiBe.

Power and Duty Of the Teacher In Dis'
cipiine.
We publish below the charge delivered to
the jury in The case of the Commonwealth Us
Benjamin Allen, tried a, the last term Of the
Washington Co. court, and solicited for publ
cation BY the County superintendent, and al
so members OF the school board who have
The management oil the school in which this
difficulty originated.
The Jury found verdict Of guilty" and
The Court sentenced Defendant 10 pay the
costs of persecution, and 10 be imprison-
ed n the jail of the county for twenty days.
JUDsE GlLmoRE's CHARGE.
The prosecutor, Mr.. French, is assistant
teacher in the common school of this Boro';
aud the defendant was a scholar in his de-
parlment. For some violation of rule, the
defendant was chasised by the prosecutor,
a fter which he was insolent in language and
refused 10 submit; whereupon he was ihi-
mejiately dismissed from school. After he
had preceded outside the door, and when
Mr.. French's back was toward him, The de-
fendau, threw into the room, and struck Mr..
F. on the back, either with a brickbat, or
what is called colt, (lhe iron ball which
was exhibited TO you.) The blow was sovi-
olent as 10 produce nausea for a short time,
and If The weapon was provided, as alleged,
for the occasion, it is evidence of great de.
pravity in one 80 young as The defendant
There can be no difficulty as 10 the guilt ol
the defendant as he stands indicted, ifthe ev-
idence is believed.
We wish now TO observe once Tor all, and
TO have il so understood, that in the coftec
lion of a scholar the jurisdiction of the teach.
er is exclusive aud conclusive, and there can
bo no interference unless when the punish.
| ment has been unusual and cruel, which rs
not alleged in this instance. We say this
much as there was an effort made ia this case
10 show tina, the boy had not been guilty oil
any violation of rule. If The door should be
opened 10 such investigations they would be
more numerous than profitable.
We cannot however permit the occasion
10 pass without pointing out wherein we con-
ceive the conduct of Mr. French was subject
10 exception. We think he did wrong in dis
missing the boy from school, whether for an
indefaiie time, or merely temporarily. We
entertain some old fashioned notions about
the efficacy of 'lhe rod' reducing TO submis.
az kalt aH Hx,ss
think that remedy had not fair trial on this
OCCASION. Independent OF high and sacred
authority, we have experience which will ga
farther with some in these days, than the use
of "lbe rod" must not be neglected in The
training of the child, aud BY lhis we are to
understand the quanium OF its use which will
insure submission. Any thing short OF This
is worse than none. For where submission
is not gained by the teacher victory is achie'
we'd by the scholar; aud the boy who is moi
brought 10 subjection in the school room is
J unfit TO be turned into the streets; his proper
destination then for the we'll being of society
ana his own reformation should be the House
of Refuge. It is The observation OF those
whose age has given them the opportunity
Of Judging, that the present OF rising genera
lion is more vicious, than tns preceding one,
we think is true, and Is rot mere seniie
laud alton of the past, or complaint OF The
present, and we are disposed TO believe IL
may be ascribed in great measure TO the
failure 10 use that indispensable and natural
remedy, s'the rod" New ideas have sprung
up on this subject earnestly aud honestly en-
terlained, but this new philosophy has proved
failure, wheseupoa we desire 10 bring again
into respectful notice the old dogma. And
| in doing so, we have the satisfaction of be-
lieving that on The subject of the proper edu'
cation and training of our youth the public
mind is enquiring and SINCERE, ard willing te
yield conviction 10 WHAT'S bes, and this IL
everything IN establishing the righ, in any
conlroyerlsd matter. We are free TO confess
that there is some reason for The diferen
views entertained on this subject, bat thu
arises we apprehend more from failure 4
discriminate properly, producing contasior
rather than contradiction. Some teacher
have ne faculty for government, 10 such al
application of The rod" can give the psope
authority; they will always be treated viii
thai contempt which scholars only know hos
10 bestow and it makes no difference hoy
great their other requirements may be, The
are not fit 10 be trusted with an independer
school, but may do very well with snperi
or who knows how 10 govern. Again ther
areischolars who are best controlled blythe la,
of Kindness. In ,ae first instance the corree
tion by the rod is moi successful, and in lh
!. second it is not required. and these excef
/ lions-.o .he general rules has caussd lie ne
csssity to be doubled but notwithsiandiu
these and all other exceptions which can b