The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1888-07-12
A QUESTION ANSWERED.
The Barrett-Ames Temper
ance Education Bill
Finally Settled.
Will the Law, rs 1t Stands To.
day, Accomplish the Work
Desired by Those Who
Have Advocated and
Worked For the
Measure

lHe varying iOTIuHc vi Jile barTclt-
Ames temperance education bill, during
its perilous passage through the Legisla-
ture, has left many in doubt as to the
strength of the law that was finally en-
acted. There seemed to be settled
conviction on the part of some members
OF the general assembly, that those in.
terested in the measure were deliberate
ly planning to flood the lower grades Of
schools with text books, and to avoid
the danger of such an imposition, as it
was regarded, few determined that
provision should be made for oral in
struction only, in which shape it did
finally pass the House.
The Senate, however, recognized the
objection to such method in grades
where physiology should be a regular
branch of study, 80 amended the bill,
leaving the use of text books discretion
ary with school boards, and oral in
structions to be considered compliance
with the law, in which, after struggle,
the House finally concurred. This was
exactly the intent of the bill as intro
duced. Experience in other States is'
demonstrating that the most successful
work in lower grades is oral. Boards OF
Education can require text books in all
grades where these can be used advan-
tageously.
We say, most emphatically, that the
law as it stands to-day, is satisfactory, for
the following reasons:
1st. 1t is compulsory. 1t provides that
the nature of alcoholic drinks and mar
cotics, and their effects on the human
system in connection with the subjects
of physiology and hygiene, shall be in
cluded in the branches to be regularly
taught, not only in the common schools,
but also in all educational institutions
under public control, viz: State uni.
versities normal colleges /; soldiers and
sailors orphans homes; deaf and dumb
and blind asylums; children's homes,
(27 in ally infrmary schools in counties
where there is no "home," as well as
the industrial and reform schools.
I'd. 1t states explicitly that Boards Of
Education, District Directors and Execu-
tive Boards of institutions shall make pro-
pisions for such instruction in the schools
and institutions under their jurisdiction,
and adopt such methods as will adapt the
same to the capacity Of pupils in the rar-
ious grades therein. In other words, 1t re-
quires this instruction to be given to all
pupils in all schools under public con-
troll.
Sd. The penalty clause provides that
any superintendent, principal or teacher
who refuses, or wilfully neglects to give
this instruction, shall be dismissed from
service. These are clerks or agents of
School Boards but Boards of Education,
District Directors and Executive Boards
OF institutions are public officers, and as
such are already required by law, to per-
form faithfully every duty imposed on
them. II any public officer concerned
in the execution of the law, fails to meet
his duty, he can, by writ of mandamus,
be compelled to perform said duties, and
is liable to five hundred dollars fine for
past neglect, as we'll as an additional
fine and imprisonment in case of repeti-
tion OF the offense. (See Sections 6,74l
and 6,742 revised statutes.)
This law not only requires school
boards, etc., to make proper provision
for this instruction, but places upon
them tho additional duty of discharginS
any superintendent, principal or teach
er who fails to carry out these provis
ions.
4th. The law goes into effect January
1889. In one year after this date, teach
ers will be required to pass examination
on this subject before they can receive
q certificate to teach.
The revised statutes of Ohio provide
for the appointment of competent exam
liners for State, county, city and village
--the legal Interpretation OF which il
that competency" for the position O