The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1886-12-02
CORPORAL PUNISHMENT.
An Interesting Letter on Its InfllctIon In
the Public Schools.
From the Pen off r. Klemm, superintend-
ent Of Schools In Hamilton, Ohio,
Replying to j. j. CLARK,
Esq of this City.


CANTON, OHIO, October II, 1886.
DEAR SIR:-It Is general complaint
that very few Of our young men gradu-
ate from our High SchOOls-vsry few
In comparison with the number of
young ladies who graduate. 1t is be
lieVed that the proportion is not above
one to four throughout the State. De-
mand for an explanation is usually met
by statement that the worldly circum-
STANCES of parents require the personal
services and earnings of their boys at
an early age. But the fact is, that
very few Of the boys of profess
siOnal men, merchants and others
in favorable and easy circumstances re
main to graduate, while the sons Of poor
men frequently DO so. Inquiry among
parents whose boys have left school be-
fore graduation lead to the belief that
In most cases the discOntinuance has
been against the wishes of the parents,
and Notwithstanding the earnest desire
Of the parents that they should remain
and graduate. The worldly ciFcum
stances of the parents cannot be relied
on as the true reason for this condition
of affairs.
Another reason has been given. 1t Is,
that the boy has taken an aversion to
school and school work from the sting
of ignOmlny II flicted on him from the
age of from ten to fourteen years by
cruel corporal punishment inflicted on
him. 1t Is believed by come who have
given this subject u OQgit t. that gTeay
harm Is being done to our educational
| syelem by the tolerstiOn Of excessive
corporal punishment on boys In schOO ;
that the practice is an evil one, and has
an inherent tendency to abuse; that by
its imposition the teachers become
cruel and heRrtless, and the boys sullen
and TfVengeful; that 1t breaks down
thtir selfrespect, stultifes their
budding manhood, and makes the
school where it is inflicted distaste
full, II not hateful to them, and they seek
eVeryeX use to be free from its disgrace
full thrallom.
Has tis thought ever occurred to you
in connection with your school work
YCu are aware that as men we consider
d UiOw as a deep indtgnity. 0ae of chs
marked distinctions for centuries be
tween freemen snd slaves has been that
e freeman may not be beaten az a pun
% hueD,. The more refined and advanced
The STATE Of civilization, tho deeper and
UoTg humihating the sense Of indignity
felt from he inhictiOn Of blows May not
oar boys have feelings and sentiments
akin to our own? Nay, may it not be,
that many parents, sympathlzing with
the developing manhood of their boys,
withdraw them from schools where cruel
corporal punishments are tolerated? A
desire for education may be very strong
In tbs tuman mind. but it is not NOV
ing instinct, like the desire to satisfy
hunger. Wild animals will seek places
where food Is abundant, but they will
7hun, il they starVe, places where they
know there is personal danger,
though food there may be ever
SO abundant and desirable. Are our
boys driven from school before gTadus-
tiOn by the ignOmiDy, or The dread If
the igAominy, of personal violence 81
he hands Of their teacher
N9y hope that this subject will re-
1cive careful consideration, and that /
may have at the earliest practicable
moment your views as fully ss pOssiDlep
Awaiting which am,
Very respectfully yours,
JAMES ]. CLARK,
Member of Canton School Board.
REPLY.
HAMILTON, O, Oct, 10, 1885,
DEAR SIR:-In answer to your cOuTte-
Gus letter Of inquiry | wish to state
that the fact, the causes of which you
desire 10 investigate, is correct. Though
we find that the number of boy gTadu-
ates "a compared with that Of tn girls,
In 0uC city, is more than One-thiTd,
this does not materially alter
the aspect of the case. | agree
with you shat the argument concerning
the worldly CirCumstsnc of parents
cannot atand, inaemu3h as it 10 not up
hs,G by tacs sufficient in number 10
make em weight. Again | agree,
that abrIdgment of the course by v0lun.
laly "QultusIion" ia hardly ever in sc-
cord " ith the parents desires. Certain
ly there must be other reasons for he
undne prOpOr ton of female graduates
over male graduates.
Nov you attribute the above fact to
the tolaFatiOn OF let me say, to the appli
cation Of cruel corporal punishment at
ihe hands of the teachers in the age
from tpu to fourteen years. You reason
we'll, y0u reason admirably, and | agree
that this explains, if not many, certain
iy sOme. cases of early withdrawal from
sc' onl; bnt permit me to say In all can
dor that you are playing on harp with
one string In the first place, corporal
punishment Is not prevalent enough, as
far as my extended experience goes, 10
be 80 potent factor In the case un-
der discussion. Moreover, boys who
manage to get cruelty beaten Qam
speaking sdVisedly just now, md, as
believe, with the proper choice Of
terms) are Of type who never
enter high school and certainly never
graduate. But, sir, your argument IS
to the degrading influences Of corporal
punishment, both upon pupils aud
teachers, is heartily cOmmendable.
Personally and in my official capacity
| regard only two offences cOrporally
punishable. According to the educa
tiOnal rule that punishment should be
IN strict accordance with the Offense, |
believe corporal punishment in place, |
where Fl grant case of cruelty, either |
10 animals or sChOOlmates, etc, is to be |
ieslt with, because bodily pain Is the |
proper remedy In that case; and second
y, In the case of open and violent resist |
lnce to authority, for we must not for
yet, that the school is not a Republic, |
ind that the teacher is to be queen of |
he hive, or leader of the class. For |
very other offence, be 1t against truth,
rider, honesty, decency, or whatever
Use, corporal punishment is improper;
moreover, since 1t acts like opium, If in
lniged In few times, 1t causes crav-
ng for more; people become accustomed
o make Its application a habit.
Now, wtethr my Limitation of COR
,0ral punishment as stated hlds ap-
'roval or not. this much will be granted