Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-02
SPARING THE ROD,
Views of City Educators on
Corporal Punishment.
SOME SAY IT'S BARBAR0US.
Others Are Sure it is the Making of
Noble Men and Women.
WAYS TO MAKE LOAFERS OF BOYS

ground" and numerous P;ttsburgers assert
that the sooner the funeral takes place the
better for all parties.
But there are other Pittsburgers who will
not allow that the abolition of whipping
would be advantageous. They cry out for
''the rod-in moderation" There exists yet
another class, very much in the minority,
which does not think that there is whipping
enough. In fact, this question of corporal
punishment, its continuation, moderation or
abolition, has become one of the vital ques-
tions of the day.
Not long ago a certain pilgrim set forth
TO ask the opinions OF the more prominent
PittSburg principals and educators on this
important subject. The result Of his in
quiries will be found below:
LUCKEY SAYS IT'S BARBARIsM.
First Of all, Superintendent Luckey was
accosted as he leaned back in a comfortable
chair in the teachers library. When in
formed of the object of the pilgrims visit
Mr.. Luckey said: 81 am almost fanatic
on this whipping question. Yes, 1 will
very willingly give you my
views" After a moments considera-
ton the Superintendent spoke thus:
die ages. Being less ba-barous than many
of the punishments then in common use it
has survived longer time, but its days are
about numbered. The system still has ad-
vocates but they are less numerous than
formerly. 1t took several centuries to con-
vince our ancestors that the bastile and the
tower were not necessary adjuncts to good
government and many of the leading men
of the eighteenth century bewailed the de-
generaey of the times when advancing civil
ization swept away the thumb-screws, the
rack and the stake. At a still later period
there were those who wrung their hands and
prophesied evil when the laws were repealed
which imprisoned the poor and unfortunate
debtor.
''These barbsrities were destroyed because
they were inflicted on men, and men rose in
revolt against them; while corporal punish
ment in school is inflicted on children and
they are powerlesS to resist. Man has
become tired of cruelty treating his fellows
and everywhere Except in Delaware and
Russis) persuasion and kindness have been
substituted for cruelty and torture Prisons
are no longer places of punishment, but
simply places of confinement, and the school
room is the only spot left where bodily tor
ture is inflicted without let or hindrance,
the teacher being the Gar or Czarina whose
imperial will without the aid of judge or
jury determines the extent of punishment.
IT DOESN'T REFORM.
GAS far as my experience goes, have no
knowledge of any pupil ever being reformed
by corporal punishment. 1t is true, as some
old teachers tell us, that many bad bows who
were punished in school grew to be good
men, but it is also true that many who
were never punished are. equally good.
That punishment in school is a cause that
produces good effect in manhood is an as
sumption that cannot we'll be proven. Be-
cause a certain number of good men had
their arms broken in youth should not lead
us to the conclusion that a broken arm in
youth will result in producing a noble type
of manhood.
1--WE are told that it is better to punish
boy in school than turn him on the street IN
idleness; this view might have some force,
if it was not known that a greater number
of boys leave school on account of bad
treatment, in schools where corporal punish
ment is permitted, than are expelled from
schools where punishment is prohibited
Is it n OF true that the worst men come from
the families where fathers and mothers be-
lieve most in the healing properties of the
birch?
STANDING OF THE PROFESSION.
"Teachers are constantly complaining that
their calling is not recognized as protes-
sion. Their complaint is well founded, but
it is their own fault. The lawyers profession
would soon cease to be honorable if they in
sisted on hogging their clients; the doctors
would lose their standing in society if they
claimed the right to chastise their obstinate
patients, and preachers would soon cease to
be the leaders in society if they claimed
the privilege of thrashing their obdurate
parishioners. Teachers must be content to
stand at the bottom of the professions so
long as they permit themselves to be en-
ployed as whipping masters for the COM
1.-The sentiment against corporal punish
ment is growing very fast A few years ago
every teacher claimed and exercised the
right to punish his pupils; to-day there is
but little punishment in the schools, and
this is done mostly by principals under
restrictions made by the board. In very
MANY cities throughout the United States
the use of the rod is forbidden altogether"
THE OTHER SIDE OF IT.
Secretary Reisfar could not agree with
Mr.. Luckey. ''It is all very well, he said,
ITO talk of the Utopia which will exist
when whipping In our schools is abolished
But that Utopia, like other Utopias, may
prove altogethersimpracticab The truth
is that a school cannot exist without some
form of punishment. Children are not
always angels, and when they understand
that no punishment awaits their misdeeds.
it is more than probable that they will be-
come a very unruly schoolfuL The alter
native kinds of punishment are expulsion,
and the ridiculous and debasine
,1rv. If l0al ohF
making them stand in the middle of the
'choolroom floor. L think all the
principals you visit will agree that
he two latter modes are far less
desirable than a good whipping. As for
sending pupils home, ] contend that such a
course generally destroys their prospects in
life and utterly deforms their characters
No, there is no kind of punishment, with
ess evil results, than moderate use of the
cd. Understand, say moderate use, /
10 not believe in hasty and brutal whining.
Tor do I think that any Pittsburg principals
Whip brutAlly. A birching is over in a
minute; the effects of an expulsion endure.
am afraid we can never get on without the
attan."
soLoMoN'S ADVICE STILL GOOD.
Principal Andrews, Of the Howard School.
Fas next seen. Mr.. Andrews said: INV
pinion on the subject of birch in schools
S that Solomon's advice still holds
,ood. We may modify the maxim, and
mare the rod to some extent; but we cannot
bolish the use of the rod. There is far less
shipping in schools than formerly, but 1
dm1t there might be a little less. am
trenuously opposed to standing children on
Iesks, etc., with FOOLS caps or other adorn-
nents on their heads. To be the laughing |
took OF a whole schoolroom is ten times |
nc-e 3ebasing than to be the recipient of a
lamming.'
moral suasion! Well, moral suasion is
n excellent thing as far as it gees; but 1 |
enture to state that a. least half OF my
'upils cannot be willed into goodness by
ny amount of this vastly lauded mode of
eform. l have had 25 years experience as