The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1884-06-21
THE SCHOOL VS.. THE SALOON.

THE SCHOOL VS.. THE SALOON.
The Compulsory Temperance Educa-
ton bill, which, through the efforts of
the department l represent, has Just
passed the Senate and Assembly at AL
bany, is new phase in our State, and
we believe a most hopeful remedy for
the evils of intemperance.
DR.. Chalmers, after listening to an
eloquent address upon these evils, is
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-kouSe over
against the saloon. Whatever differ
ence of opinion there is as to other rem
edies, we find all 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
or hnrpH MT fo;t Il
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 not
be reached in any other way. To
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 what it will make us do, u
became the aim of our Temperance
workers. Encouraged by the fact tn at
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 q similar bill this winter.
Petitions We're 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,
Superintendent of Public Instruction,
and many others, while hundreds OF
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 National
and State Superintendent of Scientific
Instruction.
The bill which has passed Senate and
Assembly reads as follows:
IAN act relating to the study of physiology
and hygiene in the public schools.
1.-The people of the State of New York, rep
resented in the Senate and Assembly, do en-
act as follows
"SECTIoN l. Provision shall be made by the
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
| cotics 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
ary 1885, who has not passed satisfactory
examination in physiology and hygiene. with
| 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
Michigan; 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, in thi,
magazine, these prophetic words
''What we want in our schools is to dc
away with the force of a perniciou,
example and long. cherished error, by
making the children thoroughly intelli.
gent on this subject of alcohol. The
more thoroughly we can instruct the
young concerning this dominating evi
of our time, the better it will be foi
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, juve
nile crime might be lessened, and ;
more hopeful outlook greet the Nation
--EHzGbeh W. GreenWood, SUp't Sci
e'sttfc Instruction Dept. N. Y. State w
G. Z. u, IN Century.
THEY who abstain from strong drink
of all kinds are not only amongst TIN