Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-02-05

OUTRAGE on School PREMIsEs-A WARN
Iss TO BAD BoYs.-Two lads, Gibson and
Hudson, aged about IA and Il respectively
members of the West St. Clair Grammer
School, were arraigned before the Police
Court yesterday. They were charged with
damaging the premises and furniture of their
own school room on Saturday last.
Both the lads had been punished in school
for previous misconduct. By their own state
ment to their companions they took the above
method Of revenging themselves.
The testimony showed the most disgust
ingIy shameful conduct on their part; prov
ing them utterly devoid of decency and self
respect. Some Workmen had been making
repairs, and the boys thus gained admission
to the house.
They climbed into the loft above the main
room. Like true 'sSeoesh " they then cut
the halyards of flag lying there, and at
taching q brick to one end, they dashed this
through the lath and plaster, making large
opening directly above the teachers desk,
which was covered with the fallen dsbris.
Suffice it to say that valuable books, the
Bible among them, were utterly disagured
and ruined; the trespassers taking especial
pains that nothing should escape injury. The
desk was seriously damaged, and one or two
chairs broken. The view when the room was
opened for school, may bemors easily imsg-
ined than described.
The plea made for the elder offender that
he was misled by others, when most of his
companions were younger than himself, is
entirely untenable. Both the lads were fully
aware Of the character Of the offence and its
consequences.
Justice Hessenmueller, notwithstanding
the glaring character Of the offence, seemed
to look upon it as a venial affair; remarking
that he thought the delinquents we're " good
boys; "(Query-Whst constitutes good
b5y2'') that hs should be glad to discharge
them were it in his power; but that the law
left hin no diseretion-requiring him to fine
all who damaged school buildings which
latter, he remarked, should be considered sa-
cred, from the purpose to which they we're
devoted. al fine you each, ," said he in con-
clusion, " ten dollars and costs"
Two other lads, about the same age as
the first, but not members of the school, were
also arraigned Tor breaking windows in the
Hudson street school building. The evidence
was not positive enough to convict them Of
having done the mischief Intentionally, but
strong suspicion still rests upon them. They
may be brought up again with more evidence
Such cases Of damage to school property
are becoming more and more frequent. The
schools and the community feel alike sean
dalized and outraged By them. The Board
of Education are resolved to try the efficacy
Of the law upon all trespassers- The secre-
tary is active and determined IN the work,
The penalty for any Willfal damage to
school premises ranges, by State Law, from
Eve to fifty dollars.
In the meantime let all prOWIing vaga-
bonds take heed and keep away from the
school buildings. Three boys have beer
sent to the Reform School ately for stealing
from the schools, and mora will be sent if de.
teeted. Parents, it is y0ur duty to know
where yJur children are night and day
Watch over their hauhts and companions, o.
IKE Eli's Of old, they may bring you to grie
nd shame.