The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1884-06-13
The SCHOOL VS.. THE SALOON.

The Compulsory Temperance Educa-
ton bill, which, through the efforts of
the department | represent, has just
passed the Senate and Assembly at AL
bany, is a new phase in our State, and
we believe most hopeful remedy for
the evils of intemperance.
Dr.. Chalmers, after listening to an
eloquent address upon these evils, is
said to have exclaimed: "Sir. we know
enough of the evils; in Gods name give
us the remedy" For years we have
been striving to answer this cry, which
comes from thousands of hearts and
homes. OF all the answers yet given,
we believe none is as practical in oper-
alton, as permanent in effect, and as
easy of accomplishment, as that which
proposes to set the school-house over
against the saloon. Whatever differ
ence of opinion there is as to other rem
edies, we find ali are in favor of in
structing the young in the physical eff
fects of strong drink.
The sad experiences in work among
iquor-dealers and liquor-drinkers natu-
rally led the members of the Woman s
Christian Temperance Union to this
idea of prevention through education.
This education was first attempted in
the Sabbath-schools, but the opposition
encountered was SO great that little
could be accomplished in that direction.
Juvenile Unions and. Bands of Hope
were next established, and the hundreds
gathered into them were faithfully
Taught the effects of alcohol upon the
body and mind. But as there was
nothing compulsory about attendance
upon this teaching, the children could
only be held while the novelty lasted.
Finally our hopes gathered about the
public schools. There, more largely
than anywhere else, are found the chill
dren of our Nation. There are the
children of the foreigners who can moi
be reached in any other way. Tt
teach these children, as thoroughly and
Systematically as they are now taught
geography, spelling and history, ''what
alcohol is. what it will do to us if We
drink it, and whatit will make us do, ,
became the aim of our Temperance
workers. Encouraged by the fact thai
in Vermont, New Hampshire and Mich.
igan a compulsory Temperance Educa-
ton bill had passed the Legislature, the
Department of Scientific Temperance
Instruction in New York State under.
took to secure a similar bill this winter
Petitions were scattered broadcast
over the State. Letters were written tC
five thousand clergymen, to each Sen
ator and Representative, to the Presi
dent Of the Senate and Speaker of the
House, to the Regents, Commissioners
uperintendent of Public instruction
and many others, while hundreds o.
pages of literature accompanied these
letters. Large audiences in our most
conservative churches, and in halls
normal schools and teachers institutes
have been addressed by the Nationa
and State Superintendent of Scientific
Instruction.
The bill which has passed Senate and
Assembly reads as follows:
"An act relating to the study of physiology
and hygiene in the public schools.
'Fhe people of the State of New York, rep
resented in the Senate and Assembly, do en-
act as follows:
oEGIION i. aGEONISlOI SildlI ne Uldu0 Dy IUt
proper local school authorities for instructine
all pupils in all schools supported by public
money or under State control in physiology
and hygiene, with special reference to the eff
fects of alcoholic drinks stimulants, and mar
eotics upon the human system.
SEC. 2. No certificate shall be granted any
person to teach in the public schools of the
State of New York, after the LIST day of Janu
airy, 1885, who has not passed a satisfactory
examination in physiology and hygiene, witt
special reference to the effects of alcoholic
drinks. stimulants and narcotics upon the
human system
New York State now takes her place
with Vermont, New Hampshire anC
Mich gan; and if the law is but prop
eriy enforced our million and half OF
children will be forewarned and fore
armed in reference to the temptations
which await them.
DR.. j. G. Holland uttered, lin this
magazine, these prophetic words
''What we want in our schools is to dc
away with the force of perniciou'
example and long cherished error, by
making the children thoroughly intelli-
gent on this sub .ect of alcohol The
more thoroughly we can instruct thC
young concerning this dominating evil
of our time, the better it will be fol
them and for the world"
This noble prophecy has its fulfill
ment to-day in the passage of this bill
Could we but add to this teaching il
our public schools lessons upon virtue,
reverence, honesty and morality, juye
nile crime might be lessened, and
more hopeful outlook greet the Nation.
-EIizdGeth w. Greem10Ood, Sypf Sec
entifc instruction Dept. N. 7. State w
n N II IA, Haaata.a.,l