The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-02-09
Compulsory Attendance.
is 1T A NEEDED MEASURE?

10 IL "A NEEDED mEASUhEt
Plain as are the facts and pointed as is their
tendency, there yet rises in every mans mind
this plausible interrogatory, and until it be an
swered satisfactorily the advocates of the meas
me can hope for but little encouragement
from the public at large. All true reforms
should originate with, and receive their impe-
tus from the people; and it is to them that we
turn for sanction and sustenance. If education is
such controller of men and things as it would
appear; if it does exert such an influence in the
adjustment of many of the difficult social prob
lens of the time; it would seem that We ought
to consider faithfully any and all measures
looking to more thorough education of all
within the State. We all, without hesitation,
admit the value and necessity of education; po-
litically and socially it is vital economic prin-
ciple; individually it is the scale of mans
worth and influence: we halt only at the man.
ner and kind.
If it be true that State relies upon her in
tellectual vigor for place and power; if it be
true that upon mans education depends large
ly his happiness and welfare; then as an
act of justice to many and as principle bene-
fetal to all we ought to require the education of
the entire school population. We fail to reach
so per cent. of our youth and that fact alone is
sufficient to warrant the statement that educa-
! ton through compulsory attendance Is need
| ed dl-imp0rtdnt measure.
| Is it prdcticdbles In all questions which dis
| turb the "ancient and time-honored'' practices
of former days we meet with popular prejudices
| and sectional jealousies that must be overcome.
| Any such system as that in operation in Swe-
den would be peculiarly distasteful to our re-
publican principles. We must have one that
shall be comprehensive and efficacious. The
bill now pending in the Legislature is certainly
| as liberal towards "ancient institutions"
| as the most Jealous conservative could
desire, and in the main as practicable as
its most earnest advocates at this Pc
Rod could well expect Elsewhere this
principle has borne practical results. Why not
here? 1t is not mere myth, an undemon-
strated hypothesis; it is live measure already
teeming with the fruits OF a rich experience.
If there be any one property which commends
it above the many reforms now advocated, it is
its perfect prdcticdbility.
Public sentiment was never before SO strong
ly interested in behalf Of education as at
this day Colleges and institutions OF learning
are fostered by the State; improved systems of
supervlsorship are being constantly brought in
to use; methods of teaching are simplitied
and the whole educational question is rightfully
receiving merited attention at the hands of wise
| Legislators.
But, nevertheless, building colleges perfect
ing systems and improving methods will never
educate the large number who are without
the pale of the school-room. We must
bring them under these influences if we would
cure great and increasing eVil As State pol,
icy, as social principle, as a debt we owe te
our uneducated fellow beings around us we
must insist upon compulsory attendance and
| urge its adoption until the laws of the State
shall guarantee to every child born in the com.
monwealth the blessings Of q common school
education BREWSTER.