The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1871-01-26
CORPORAL PUNISHMENT.

of the county which has agltated the
public anew on the subject of corporal
punishment in schools, demands OF US
statement relative to the legal rights OF
teachers to chastise insubordinate pupils
We will endeavor to speak definitely OF
the subject, and that we may do SO with
out subiec.ing ourseif to the liability OF
beng misunderstood, we will proceed to
answer the following question plainly
and unequivocally.
Has a teacher any legal right to whip
a pupil? We answer-yss. Our courts
have decided that the teacher, for the
time being, stands in the same relation to
the pupil that the parent does to the
child. Common law grants the privilege
of chastisement to the parent, therefore
the privilege cannot be denied to the
teacher.
So far as we have been able to learn
upon diligent inquiry, our high courts
have 5aoaraGbJy decided that the teacher
has the right in law to whip pupil Or
course, for any abuse of this prerogative
the teacher is liable to answer at the bar,
Just the same as the parent is liable to
answer for the inhuman treatment of his
own child. ~
In answer to a question similar to the
above, Hon. J. G McMynn,while State Su-
perintendent, gave his opinion in writing
as follows: "A teacher is not authorized
to infict cruel and unnecessary punish
ment, but of the hind and degree of punish
ment, he is the sole judge, aud he is re
sponsible for any abuse of the power en-
trusted to him as teacher This opin.
ion has never been over ruled or set
aside ~.ss..- ,
We have expressed our own views IN
relation TO this subject on a previous oc-
casion, but will give them again. We
are strongly opposed to the principal in
volved. With good management at home,
with an active, fearless and Intelligent
district board. ready and willing to as
sist the teacher,we can conceive of no case
where q resort to the rod would be neces
sary. But very many children, even in
Kenosha County, are poorly governed at
home, or governed not at all; and there
are district officers-we are thankful that
the number is small-whose fear of a
neighborhood disturbance is greater
than their love OF the school; and who
meet every appeal of the teacher for aid
with the words: Well, you must get
along as best you can. We can't do any
thing without making somebody angry"
What is left for the teacher to do? Moth
ing bur to nsaSt6r. the school or leave it !;
and d true teacher, one who cares for the
school and his own reputation, will not
entertain the latter proposition for mo-
meut.
A teacher should not suffer insolence,
untruthfulness or disobedience from pu-
pills under any consideration or on any
pretense If pupil be guilty of any of
these offences, it is the duty of the teach
er to labor with him fist, and if unsuc-
cessful here, to appeal to the parent, and
if need be, to the school board, and as a
last resort, we hold that he is justified In
compelling submission byJorce.
Nevertheless we deprecate the use of
the rod or the employment of physical
force of any kind, so long as other and
reasonable methods for the accomplish
. ment of the teachers object remains I'M
tried. But the idea that the teacher has
no legal right to whip refractory pupil
is absurd, and based upon sentiment
rather than law.
We are looking forward to time when
corporal punishment in our schools shall
be unknown !; not, however, through leg
islative enactment, but through an in
creased intelligence in the community
which shall look to the employment of
none but the best of teachers, or at least
such as give promise of excellence; and
who, when in the discharge of their duties
shall receive ample and active support by
a fearless, honest, intelligent and efficient
district board.
NOTICE There will he meeting of
the T. D. of the K Co T. A Mt the Row