Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-12-20
school Punish ments.

Some further statements are given elsewhere
IL regard to the punishment OF the school girl
Minnie Beall, at the Riggs school building 1t
would appear that the room called the sweat
box" in which she was shut up, was not the
boiler room, but room on higher level. COM
mun!cating with it by flight OF steps. 1t Is
stated by the janitor, who acted as jailer In this
case, that the room is not dark disagreeable
one. but is really so uncOmmOnly pleasant that
the boys rather cry to be fastened up there.
ON the other hand IL is Insisted that the room
is in such close proximity TO the boiler roo n
that il is heated excessively. and is In every way
an improper place TO contlne child in.
Balancing the statements pro and con it would
seem that the horrors OF the room have been
SOniew nat exaggerated On the side OF the pupil
punished IL appears. however. that it has earned
the name OF tine sweat-box y and to the minds
OF most of the pupils, especially the younger
ones. is terrible place. Taking the most lenient
View OF the case possible the room was not
a nj place to put child In; and we Think also
that janitor IS not tit person TO be intrusted
with the custody and punishment OF girls.
This we say with due sympathy for the hard
working. understanding teachers OF our public
schools. The matter OF puniShmentS should be
revised In the interest OF both teachers and
pupils. The theory OF the public school system
is the greatest good for the greatest number.
IT Is manifeStly not for the good OF the greatest
number IL the teacher is compelled to spend a
considerable portion Of the school hours In ad-
m1hISteTing punishment TO a few incorrlgtbla
on unruly pupils. The work OF the whole school
is suspended while the scene OF punishment Is
going on. and the chances are that they viii
lot be able to resume the thread of study for
The rest of the day The public school should
Tot be made House of Correction. 1t Is not
the duty OF the teacher charged with the in
StTUction OF sixty pupils TO make child
Obedent and orderly Ia the school room who Is
allowed to be unruly and disobedient at home.
The most that sto Id be required OF the teache-
is the patient exercise of moral suasion upon
Unruly children TO the point where its tnefi-
Cacy is manifest. Then the offender should be
suspended and sent home. and ii its parents
are not able TO bring the Child 10 obedience
the suspension should be made permanent.
dill has passed the Senate requiring the
police TO examine and inspect, from time to
time, without previous notice to the occupants.
al premises where Potomac water Is taken or
used. The places in which the greatest waste
Is supposed TO occur are the water closets.
which are generally in bath rooms in this city,
VIII the inhabitants OF Washington. members
or the house and visitors, wait Til this tnspec-
lion is made by the police 10 see how incon-
yenieIt II will be 10 themselves and wives to
have conscientious policeman knock at the
bathroom door, and break 1t open IL not opened
iEstanter on his summons. for the purpose of
this inspection without notice. Decency and
civilization protest against this law. Certainly
the use OF water should not yacate all personal
and civic rights In a mans own houSe-once
held 10 be his castle.
Again. this bill does not provide any remedy
or the great source or wasre,-that In the de-
7 rtment buildings, where the water Is allowed
to run night and day In such wdnton sort that
the tow down the great sewers In their neigh
borhOod is equal TO a powerful mill stream,
fairly making the ground trembie with its force.
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Washington seems 20 be getting sprinkling
NpUnnF-S SuON Storm prnTntSa1 ah,ur