Los Angeles daily herald., 1873-11-21
AN ESSAY soN ELEMENTARY LAW
IN SCHOOL.
Read byIRs5ers n. Furioas before tn
Teachers Association.

The subject which have selected
sor essay.is one that cannot be wholly
unfamiliar to any of you. Yet it is
topic that l never, heard discussed;
never have listened to in form of an
essay; never have seen dissertation
upon, except in the works of writers
onjur6pfudence. = = ~
Perhaps 1 should offer an apology
"a for advancing a theory which many
will pronounce fmpracticable, but,
begging leave to differ in opinions
with those who will thus consider it,
I will simply state my ideas on the
subject at the risk of being termed
wild and impracticable theOrist.
In the brief space allowed for an es-
say it is impossible to be SO cOmpre-
sive as to include all the means by
which any certain end can be attain
ed, therefore, shall not expect to en-
~. ter into ell the minutise of the subject
by particularizing or showing the pre-
else manner in which course Of law
studies should be conducted in the
e. school room, but will sconfine myself
more to the advocacy of the study Of
that science as study Of practical inn
,portance and of the highest utility. oi'
FsThe ihtroductton Of the study of ele-
mentary law in the public schools
merits the attention Of educators, and
1t deserves also the consideration of
those who have supervisory control
over and who legislate for the common
Z ;sch0pls,of our fcountfy.s More particu-
larly the former because it is for the
educator, the practical teacher, to
originate and advance new theories on
educational matters and present them
for the consideration of the law MAX
ers. But this cannot be considered as
u new subject, or o new theory. The
Us Romans learned the utility Ofhaving
law studied in the common schools,
many centuries ago. Cicero informs
US the very boys were obliged to learn
the twelve tables by heart, as a car
men necessdriuna or indispensable les
son to imprint on their tender minds
an early knowledge Of the laws and
constitution of their country. How
=, ever, We Of the present age do not
pp6t BY their experience, but entire
~ dispense With the study OF law in
educational institutions and univer-
sitaos which is all the country affords.
Iwin take up the topic here by asking
why Is this? Some one will reply by
saying, "there is no necessity for 1t,
anu Will speak u ItS uuuIIIlVy dh-
other will say that it Is impracticable.
Let us examine these objections
separately and see how we'll the points
First, then as to q necessity for it.
It Is q duty; upon this point will
dwell at some length.
Every person considered either as
an individual, or a member of society,
owes certain duties both to himself
and the government under which he
lives. The performance Of these duties
is essential To- the happiness Of the in
dividual and the well-being Of society.
nj Through their non-performance the
;" delfnquent suffers, and society suffers
also, from the, injury resulting otis
member The duty he owes to him.
self is to know himself; to study his
own organization, his own being, to
learn its requirements, and knowing
them, to follow the rules that nature
has designed for his guidance. sas
"A 1t 10 for the educator TO point out
these dHties and and teach q proper
ga Observance Of them. Ample provis-
ions for this are made In the course