Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1880-02-13
Corporal Punishment In Schools.


the village of Marshall having in
flicted corporal punishment upon a
pupil, was arrested on the charge OF
assault and battery. Judge Stewart
gave the following charge to the ju-
ry. IL will be remembered that some
time ago we published an opinion
by the Supreme Court upon the
subject of corporal punishment in
schools. Judge Stewards charge
is in entire harmony with the
opinion by Judge Lyon of the SUI
pereme Court:
ut is one Of the duties OF n
school teacher to maintain order in
school hours, and to enforce ODE
dience to reasonable rules. For
that purpose, when necessary, the
teacher may inilict reasonable cor
poral punishment. What may be
reasonable and proper punishment
in given case depends Il great deal
upon the circumstance Of such
case. In cases of trial on a charge
of excessive punishment, Of course
the jury must determine from the
evidence how severe the punish
ment was, and whether or not in the
given case it was exl essive or un-
reasonable. In every case it ought
TO stop short Of brutal or great
serious or lasting bodily injuries.
Within such boundaries it may 20
70 the extent Of securing the obc-
dienoe of the scholar, and, ofcoursc,
shoul9 be measured somewhat by
the degree of obstinacy, disobc-
dicnco and wilful conduct Of the
pupil, even though it leaves some
marks upon the skin or body. AS
| have snid, the law docs not sane
ton brutal punishment, or such AK
inillct great, serious or lasting bodily
injuries, but there may be cases
which will cause al right-mindcd
persons to regret that physical
strength upon the part Of teachers
failed TO reduce wilful, disobcdient,
peryerso and obstinate scholars TO
obedience Punishment should be-
gin in moderation, and if the child
then fails to mind and becomes
peryersc, stubborn, insubordinate
or prolane, and continues in such |
conduct, IL may DO rightly increased,
even though it may become 80
severe as to cause the pupil pun
ished to wear Its stripes.
In view of the evidence and these
instructions, take this case and
render snCh n verdict as you think
or ~ il right. Brutal, cruel and
inhuman punishment ought not to
be sanctioned in families, schools or
civil governments, but those who
think that subordination or reason
able and proper government can
be always maintained by love and
shut their eyes to
the history of mankind, and
the propensities which lead some
to stubborn, willful and even
criminal disobodicnce to rules of
government and laws, from child
hood to age, 10 instances as numer-
Gus almost MS the sands upon the
seashore, in which the best of
family and school governments
have failed to make good men and
women; even under such circum-
stances become bad citizens, viola
tors Of the best laws, making jails
and prisons necessary, creating out
breaks in mohs and rebellion against
the best and mildcst laws and gov
crnments.
While cruelty, as | have said,
and oppression should be avoided
upon the part Of all governments,
subordination must be sustained.
Anarchy is tho most unsafe eondi-
ton that can exist anywhere
The jury returned a verdict ofnot
guilty.
4 bill is before the legislature of