Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1888-02-07

study OF the SUBJECT as related TO our
schools, can say confidently that l am
not mistaken in my conception of the po-
sition held by our school authorities.
Therefore, whatever may be my own per-
sor al views on the subject, realize tiny
duty to enforce, the best of my judy
ment and ability, the rules and reguls-
tons giYen for the Hans gercent CT these
schools. II sll cases where pupils are
guilty OF williailY violating n establish
ed regulation punishment is imposed
which is considered commensurate with
the offense and OF such q character as will
most likely restrain pupils In the commits
sion Of similar offenses. But in regard to
some of the regulations, which refer to
disrespect to teachers, disorderly con-
duct in class rooms, smoking, swearing
and obscenity, an memorable law Is pre-
eented to which the pupil must conform
or suffer the penalty of severe punish
ment. In reference to the effect of such
discipline l wish to submit the following
statistics and remarks, VIZ: "First semi
annual report on corporal punishment
for the session 1856 81: Number punish
ments inflicted for disorderly conduct il
classroom, Willful disobedience and dis
respect to teachers, 6l; truancy and
lighting, 81; smoking, swearing and OBJ
scenity, 90; hardness, 8. Total, 108"
By reference to the principals journal
we find the number Of individual pupils
punished to have been sixty-three, ead
that where we had the cooperation of
parents IN restraining vicious or refrac-
tory pupils, 50 per cent. of the cases were
fol owed by 8 very noticeable improve
ment; so per cent. of the pupils
SO punished we're punished for will
ful disobedience, disrespect to teachers,
and disorderly conduct in the class room
In over 80 per cent. Of the cases cited one
infection proved sufficient, aud in 334 per
cent. two iIfictions had the mucn-de-
sired effect. From the foregoing state
ment it may be seen rhat the number of
pupils with whom it becomes necessary
10 resort 20 corporal punishment is COM
psretively very small, and that may be
accounted for almost invariably by the
surroundings and character of the pupils
punished. But with larger enrolment
(450) for the corresponding time this SEES.
sion we have had only forty-three cases
of punishment and only thirty one pupils
punished. And of the forty-three infllc-
lions this session twelve of the same
HS1O 1GSSlfCu ny GWO UOJb VI OnG 12ullyJ
and will venture to say that, though the
parents Of those boys knew of esch in
stance OF their punishment, they have
never publicly nor before their children
censured or abused the teachers for hon.
estly laboring for the correction of their
children, but on the contrary exerted
themselves to aid the teachers. Eighty
per cent. Of the punishments this session
mas been inflicted for Willful disobe-
dience, disrespect to teachers and disor-
der in the class room. Cases of truaucy
and fighting h6ve been reduced to the
minimum, and cases OF smoking, swear
ing Snd O5scenity rarely occur. Upon 8
careful consideration of the facts presen:-
| ed, and of the characters generally in
volved (of which the case now under con-
sideration is g typical example of the pu-
pills who cause almost incessan: trouble)
think that all reasonable people Will
agree that school should be well dis
ciplined even if it be necessary to employ
force in exceptional cases. In short, thst
the end justities the means in the con-
crete case presented, viz, this school. By
way o illustrating the effect OF q strict
enforcement o the rules and regulations
would direct attention TO the relative
per cent. in attendance, hardness, etc,
of Building No. as compared with other
schools Of the city. Very respectfully,
h WRIT MANN, Principal.