Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1875-11-19
G,aehers' Column.
w. Il. PARKER. Edito i,

IHE following Is taken from Cows
Good Morals and Gentle Manners, sub
ject: Right Of Property
DESTRUCTION OF Property - Because
property is apparently neglected by the
owner, it does not follow that it is right
for anybody to destroy it. We have no
right to injure our neighbor, either by
stealing or abusing his property. The
disposition wantonly to destroy indicates
a depraved and vicious character, which
entirely disregards all the obligations of
both public and private duty. Such van
dallsm is often seen among certain classes
OF youth in the breaking of windows in
unoccupled houses, in cutting and break
ing shade trees in taking off gates, and
defacing fences, in daubing painted and
WhlteWashed walls, ana in tearing down
hand bills. This conduct is sometimes
called fun; but it must be a depraved
mind that can derive enjoyment fxom such
Wantonness. No excuse can be offered
for behavior which sets at defiance all the
obligations of good citizenship; and he
who acts thus, should be considered a
public enemy, for there is no more reason
why boy should break a window tor fun
than that he should set house on fire.
The WHITTLER.-Therc is great pro-
pensity in some to cut and deface even
painted and polished surfaces, such as
those of chairs, tables, doors and window
frames, and the habit is so inveterate that
nothing seems secure from their destruc-
tive hands. A story which illustrates
this disposition to destroy, j.. told of a
whiting fellow, and the method taken to
rcbukc and punish him: He entered
store with his wife to make some pur-
chases, and, while she was busy examln-
ing the goods, he amused himself by cut
ting chip with his penrnfe from the
edge of the nicely polished walnut coun-
ter. A clerk, observing the outrage, quiet
ly walked around to where he was sitting
and, before the whittier was aware of his
intentions, cut off one of his coat-tails
with his scissors. The establishment of
the gentleman (?) with the knife was very
great when he discovered his loss, and he
demanded the reason for such Conduct
The clerk pointed to the defaced counter
as an explanation. The counter was much
more valuable than the coat, but the whit
Ter failed to see that there was any Joke
in the retaliation. We leave it as ques-
ton, whether the cutting of the counter or
coat was the greater outrage.
A PUBLIC SHASE.-It is a shame that
no public building in our country is safe
from injury and abuse without the inter-
vention Of the police or some similar off
Ger. Court-houses, public halls, hotels,
and even churches and cemeteries are thus
despoiled. Buildings admirably adapted
for the amusement, instruction, comfort,
and convenience Of the public, beautifully
constructed ornaments to "a city or town,
are defaced and deformed by the hands of
citizens. The finest monuments in wood,
metal, and stone, are often mutilated
without any feelings Of shame or COM
Functions of conscience For the credit
of our people this should be changed, and
public property rendered as secure and safe
from abuse as any other. These practices
have their origin in the schools, and it is
there that the reformation must commence.
When our school-houses are kept, year
after year, as models of neatncss and good
taste, then may we expect that public taste
will be reformed.
OF all places, the sehool-room should be
the neatest and most pleasant. This
proposition will not need u moments re-
Election to be admitted. To a greater ex-
tent, perhaps, than We are willing to
admit, we are educated by silent teachers,
our surroundings especially is this so of
the taste. Custom forms habit If chill
dren are accustomed to unkept school
houses, can we expect them, when they
are older, to regard public property? Gus
tom has formed the habit 1t was not out
of place to write names and draw pictures
on the walls, doors and window castings
of the old school house: so after school
days, per force of habit, 1t is not out of
pace to deface and destroy public, pro-
per;y, or any property not Immediately
protected. If we can lead the young to
form correct habits, we have done the
most for them that we can do. Nomental
discipline can compensate for the want of
good habits. In this work, the base of
operations must be mainly from without.
School officers and teachers have their re-
spective parts to do. In this work, few
pounds of paint will often be more eiTcc-
tive than a months lecture; the removal
of screaking old desk may save a street
brawl in future years; q clear window
for the schoolboy may preserve the man
clear brain; pure air for the schoolgirl
may insure the woman Il vigorous consti-
tuition and Il warm and active sympathy
for the right. Give Us pictures for our
school-room walls. Let the pictures be
large, fine ones, even if they do cost
money. What child can look upon fine
picture of the gentle animals without TAX
ing in, to a greater or less extent, the spirit
of gentleness, innocence even The
teacher should see that no pencil marks
remain on the walls or about the building.
Floors should be kept clean.
Custom hegets habit; habit determine
action. Pleasant schoolrooms for the
school children; pleasant homes for the