The Russellville Democrat., 1881-05-26

true that there are many defects connected with the school system, as regulated by law in this state, yet it is destined, in the near future, to accomplith great work.
 1t is not my purpose, however, to discuss the defects of our common school law, but merely to bring to the notice of your numerous readers some of the obstacles and inconysn fences to which teachers are subject.
 The greatest barrier to the progress of the school with which the teacher has to contend, ID the rural districts, IS irrsgularity of attendance.
 There is nothing, perhaps, which so completely paralYzes and renders abortive the efforts of teachers, as the irregular attendance of pupils. The evil is, doubtless, not so great in towns, but is seriously felt by those who have had any experience in the agricultural districts of this county. Indeed, parents do not seem to appreciate the vital impor- tance of regular and prompt attend ance, and they either detain or per init their children to absent them selves from school for light and trivial causes. The absence ot their children for day or two, each week, they suppose, will in no wise mate rially retard their progress or de- range the operations of the school. In this regard parents are greatly at fault, for it is unreasonable to expect pupil to make even tolerabls pro- gress in the study of any branch of an education, especially in districts where the maximum school term but seldom exceeds three months per annum, if his attention is constantly diverted from it's pursuit, and recits- tions frequently omitted. It is very discsuraging to the teacher, as well as detrimental to the general pro- gress of.ths school, when the daily attendance of the members of the most important classes is less than onehalf their number, in conse- quence of which study is constant drag to the pupils; and when, at the close of the brief term, it IS discov. cred that they know but little about the branches pursued, the cry of in capacity is often unjustly raised against the teacher. There is no possible chance of acquiring thor ough knowledge Of any branch of education by irregular recitations; the mlnd must be concentrated be- fore thers can be any hope of suc- cess. This must be obvious to the most casual observer. By irregular attendance the money paid for tui- ton is virtually lost; and the labor of the teacher is lost, also, to a great extent; so that the importance of scholars attending school regularly cannot be too much insisted on. In fact, irregularity in attendance is an evil widespread and of long stand ing-indeed, it is difficult to find an educational report which does not attest it's magnitude, and speak of it Tn terms Of severe condemnation. It is viewed as the canker- orm of our common school system-slowly and quietly preying upon it's vitals. It not only paralyzes the energy and efficiency of the teacher, but 1t cor rupts the pupil, intsrferes with the proper regulation of the school, and disturbs tue harmony of its govern ment
 In some states the evils of irregu- lar attendance is obviated by the enactment of compulsory laws, by which parents are compelled to send their children regularly to school, when the public schools are open. Just such law is needed in this state, and will be needed just as long as there are thousands of the future citizens of the republic growing up without an education adequate to the duties which will devolvs upon thsm,-as long as history continues to teach us with unerring certainty that the welfare and stability of tho state, and the republic especially, rest upon the intelligence and virtue of it's citizeHs,-as long as there are parents among us who will expose their tender offspring throughout the summers heat, and to the rigor of autumnal frosts in the cotton field, instead of sending them to school, -I as long as there are parents among us who are willing to wiring their from the bones and mar row of their children, and others, who coyet the wealth purchased by the degradation and neglect of those who are their own flesh and blood, | and whom they are in duty bound to educate in accordance with the God l destiny of their natures; 80 long there is such a need for such law in Arkansas.
 In conclusion respectfully appeal l to the intelligence of we'll wishing parents, in Pope county to consider the importance of these suggestions. Bear in mind that the efforts of teachers will not be duly appreciated l until parents shall endsayor to sec ond their efforts; and there is noth. ing in the range of teaching so much