Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1888-02-23
a PROPER VERDICT.

The Oregonian believes in the en-
'oIccment of obediance and discipline II
the public schools, and therefore it ar
proves the verdict of the jury in the cas-,
loi Mr. Ri.ler, principal of the Parl
school. If fobediance aud discipline ar,
not to be enforced in the public schools
then The schools may as we'll be abandoned
Mr.. Risley did undoubtedly chastis,
the boy with some severity. But tn,
ease called for it. To maintain the dis
clpliue of the school, it was necessary
that the boy be punished. When the
punishment began the boy resisted and
fought with all the energy and violence
he could exert, and, as a consequence
the rod was laid upon him till his back
got so warm that he was willing to de.ist
Some marks were lett by the rod, bu,
none of a serious nature. But for the
attack made by the boy upon the master
there would have been no marks. The
question simply was whether the prin.
upal should be master of the school. or
whether an example should be set that
would allow unruly boys to have it their
own way. AT such a time a good whip.
ping is the thing required. 1t does the
boy himself world of good, and cxerts
Wholesome influence upon the school.
When tho parents, in these cases, in
tcrfere, they commit great mistake
1t is uukindness to their own children to
let them know that the parents do not
insist upon obediancc and good behavior.
Such course tends, moreover, to under.
mine the discipline and efficiency Of the
school. 1t will be said. of course, that
the authority Of the master is liable to
abuse. To this it may be answered that
men who are monsters of brutality do
not become school tea .her., and so sci.
dom is it that undeserved and cruel pun
ishment is inflicted by master, that we
scarcely hear of single authenticated
rsse in a lifetime.
BY a few mcddlers, aidcdby publ.
cation that warts means of making itself
heard through regular and legitimate
methods of supplying news and comment,
This case has been pushed against Mr..
Ri.lcr to the last extreme of unrairness.
'a'sehood aud indeccncy. 1t has been
alleged that he has the reputation of be.
ing a hasty, irascible and passionate
man; that he has been terror to chill
dren wherever he has been employed;
that he whipped boy at Walla Walla
with such extreme severity that the boy
died in consequence sooa after, and Mr..
Rigler himself could no longer get en-.
ploymcnt there. These statements were
malicious fabricat,ons throughout; the
stories, purporting to como from Walla
Walln, bear marks of having been written
here, and the rceutation of them by the
school directors and many other well
known citizens of Walla Walla was in
every way complete. As these fabrica.
tions were disposed Of on Saturday by
the statements from Walla Walla, pub
Iishcd in the Oregon,an, 60 this effort at
Portland is fully and 6tly met by the
verdict Of the jury. The exoneratiop Of
Mr.. Rislcr does justice to himself and
renders real service to our schools.
The persecution to which Mr.. Risler
has been subjected in this case is in every
way reprehensive and disreputable. Had
it succeeded it would have done much
to weaken the obligations Of obedience
and behavior, to impair the foundations
Of authority and disciplius, and 10 gen.
pral to demoralixe the schools.