The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1883-05-16
Telegraphic.
EDUCATIONAL AND GENERAL
The Missouri Supreme Court
Decision on Schools,
ACyclone in Michigan Jay Gould's
Latest Contradiction Trou-
bles, Etc.

ST. LOUIS, May Is. The friends OF edu-
cation in this city, which IL Justly famed
for It's superior school system, are dis
mayed AT decision Of the Supreme court,
rendered Monday IN Jefferson City which
will deprive many thousands OF the
privilege OF attending various schools.
About four years ago Messn. Shaw and
Roach Of the Citizens committee,
petilioned for an injunction upon the st.
Louis school Board to prohibit them from
teaching the arts and sciences, and other
languages than the English, and also com.
pelling them TO refuse admission TO all
the age OF twenty years. The case
was defeated In the Circuit
court and affirmed by the court OF Appeals
II was then taken to the State Supreme
court, and Yesterdays decision, which Il
fnal was the astonishing result. On the
first count, the judges held that German
may be taught In the public schools in the
absence OF legislative prohibition, m the
courts can not interfere with the course Of
study. On the second count the judges
decide that public money can not lawfully
be used for the education OF children less
than six or over twenty years OF age. The
effect will be to almost abolish the Normal
and the night schools, and TO- cut the kim
dergartens down over one.half. The
working classes will be the SUI
ferers A reform was made In
the night schools some four years ago ex-
Guiding pupils under fourteen years OF
age. as the schools are intended for youths
and adults who have not had opportunity
for education in early life. A majority OF
the night pupils are immigrants desiring
instruction In the English language, aud
nearly one-third OF the 3, 300 total reported
for last year we're twenty years and over.
They we're principally laborers and me-
cbanics, and 32S OF the pupils were girls
and women. The new law will throw out
over 900 Of these pupils. who have neither
the time nor means TO pursue their educa-
ton otherwise.
In the Normal school, last years class
averaged over twenty-one years OF age
The present class probably has not more
than two or three under school age. The
Young women who enter here 10 be
drilled for teachers, must first graduate
from the High School, and 1t IL unusual
for one 10 make the four
years course and then complete two
years OF normal drill before she Is twenty.
The Normal School must 20, under the new
law.
There are 8, $50 pupils enrolled In the
kindergarten,s and 4,s05 receive kinder
garten Instruction only. That Is, they do
not attend primary school one half OF
the day, as Is customary with those of
the proper age. because they are under
six years. over half the children will
now DO deprived Of the Froebelean in
struction, for even II private schools are
started. the large majority are unable to
attend pay" schools. Ofthe 2lO kinder
gartners at least 100 will fnh themselves
without schools, and as 81. Louis is the on.
" city which includes kindergarters In II
there ia nothing for them 10 do but try TO
open private schools. This Is too risky for
women without some means to undertake,
| owing to the expense required 10 III such
school room with the proper appliances, a
| piano forte being one OF the necessities,
A law which shuts the school room door
| In the face Of nearly 5000 little children,
many Of whom must otherwise learn
| vicious habits on the streets, and which
excludes the working people from study
privileges and the young women from be-
| coming capable teachers, Is a reproach to
Missouri, and great damage TO the pro-
| gress of our growing city.