Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-01-23
Compulsory Education id BROOKLYN

Compulsory Education Id Brooklyn.
Although compulsory education was
authorized throughout the State of
New York as far back as 1874, no steps
we're taken to comply with its reRuia-
tions until 1877. The initial efforts to
enforce the law were met by the vio-
lent opposition of the people in gen.
eral, and the principals of both public
and private schools. Among tho peo-
pie, the idle, the avaricious, and the
extremely poor opposed it, because it
deprived them of their children's earn
ings; the teachers in tue public schools,
because they feared lowering OF tLeir
percentage; the teachers in the private
schools, because they considered it a
high handed interference in matters
over which they arrogated to them
selves supreme control. No one was
prepared to accept what was regarded
as tyrannical innovation, but least Of
all the heads of those pay schools,
many of which wers long established
and famous. 49, 80. n.. ..
An incident which occurred q few
months ago illustrates this feeling. It
was an old educational establishment to
which Brooklynites refer with pardon
able pride; it was elegant and above
par in all respects; SO was its learned
professor. An attendance agent. in
the line Of his regular duties, called,
explained his instructions from the
Board" and inquired if he could do
anything for the professor. That gen.
tleman, being thus addressed, drew
himself up to his full height, regarded
the trusnt officer for moment, and
then loftily asked him by what right
he presumed to interfere with the man.
agement of such an institution as that.
The agent real the law to him. This
only incensed the already irate profes.
sor still more. for he declared, in high
tones, that the law could not possibly
be intended to affect such q well-con-
Quoted and well.known institute.
Besides" added he, eve have no
truants here; they aye all young la
dies Good morning, SIR" replied
the agent; "Ill call again." ,I 0.,..
Meanwhile young gentleman had
called at tho Office of the Board of At
tendance with complaint that his two
young sisters who, by.the-way. were
pupils of the above institute -were in
the habit Of playing truaht and going
of to Prospect Park with young gentle.
men; he had discovered it, and found
it WIS not an infrequeut occurrence,
and not wishing to make trouble for
the girls ut home, he determined to 60
quietly to the superintendent. whom he
knew to be kindly an honorable
gentlema, and ask his advice. The
superintendent called at the residence
Of the young ladies'. Only one Of them
was ut home. After fearful interview
on the part Of the girl, and passionate
promises never to do SO any more. but
be faithful to her schoo duties, the Off
cial LETT.
The next morning the attendance
agent escorted both Of the girls to
school, handing them over to the sur
prised professor with these words ~
have brought two of your truants back
to you, sir. Shall he glad to serve you
ut any time, sir. Good morning" ...
That the popular prejudice to COM
pnlsory educstion is steadily deoreas-
ing is shown by the fact that the Office
OF the Superintendent Of Attendance is
daily besieged by anxious parents or
guardians begging his advice in regard
to their refractory little ones. The
Board of Attendance has undertaken q
vast and noble work, and that it is we'll
performed by the superintendent and
his five agents will also be shown
when it Is stated tina. seven thousand
cases OF truancy have been disposed Of
within the past year, the majority Of
these having been returned, or for the
first time placed in their proper
schools, the remainder being committed
to the Attendance Schools, whence
some have passed to the tender mercies
OF the Truant Homo.
One Of the best results of the COM
pulsory law has been the breaking up
Of many gangs of small boys. some of
whom had not been near their homes
for months. These are ferreted out OF
their dens for dens they are-and
brought before the superintendent,
who, it should he mentioned to his
credit, is q faithful and philanthropic
worker in the cause. They are ques.
toned closely as to their mode OF liv-
ing. and sent to their homes, accom-.
panied by the agent of the district.
and notice given to their parents to
send them to school.-F. Z. FRYATT, in
Harper's Magazine.