Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1881-04-09
THE ORPHANS HOME.

There has been much ado OF late
in regard to the treatment OF chill
dren. at the Orphans Home in Car
son. Sensational stories of brutality
on the part Of the managers have
been heralded to the world by the
Virginia Chronicle and the Carson
Appesl. Indeed, we should suppose
from some. of the newspaper accounts
given, that the torture of the Russian
knout paled into insigniicsnce when
CONF pared with those inflicted by the
lady who teaches "the young idea"
there.
Il seems that Miss Harris, the
teacher, u lady we'll known and high
ly esteemed 10 this community, pun
ishsd one Freddie Gray quite severely.
The matter was Investigated by the
Commissioners, and, according t""ll
the testimony given, the boy richly
deserved the punishment he received.
Other instances Of undue punishment
were then charged, and these we're
inquired into. Marks were said to
have been left upon children from
punishment received. Admitting
that this is true, it establishes, moth
ing. Anyone who is at all familiar
with the anatomy Of children is
aware that slight blow on certain
parts Of the body will leave a black
or purple mark, while the child Is in
nowise injured. Thereby chIidr-n
who attempt To resist a teacher wnlIe
in the act of punisning, often receive
such marks in all our public schools.
That there are such children at the
Home no one acquainted with the
facts will deny. Ii it were shown
that the punishment was brutal; that
1t exceeded the bounds Of reason,
then would there be proper cause for
complaint about severity. But this
has not been shown. The only OBJ.
jectionst proceeding thus far devel-
oped, 10 the method there in vogue
for furnishing the girls. 1t should
be. ct once abolished. Spanking
girls in 9 mixed school Is an improp-
or proceeding. People who are dis
posed to raise such hue and cry
over the punishment of these children
should consider the material with
which teacher has to do. While
there are undou btedly some children
sfvery good parentage there, it is
well known fact that the larger
portion lie drawn from very low ele-
msnts, and that their early training
in discipline and morality has been
sadly neglected. Corporal punish
ment is usually an imperitive if an
unfortunate necessity.
The whole matter does not rest
upon Miss Harris. The Superintend-
ant and Matron are also held &C.
countable, but the greatest sufferer
from the violent attacks is the young
lady. Miss Harris has the reputation
of being not only an excellent lady,
but q fine teacher, and reasonable
people who know her cannot but
consider the inslnuations and charges
against her as grossly unjust.
Too many newspapers are prone
to seize upon any opportunity of
magnifying seeming irregularities in
sehool matters, for the mere sake of
abusing the teacher. If a bad boy
10 whipped, and he or his parents
complain to the morbidly sensitive
reporter, the howl Of anguish raised
by an over tender. hearted press is
greater than 1t would be in case of
brutal murder. 1t is the fashion to
impute brutality to respectable peo-
pie aud give credit for the kindest
heart and most generous impulses to
the greatest bullies and ruffirns. Of
course this is not becruss there is so
much danger of the teacher or prech-
or coming around with club.
In another column will be found
H. al L.