The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-02-12
FOR ALL CHILDREN.
The Barnard Compulsory Edu-
cation Bill.
THE ONE THE TEACHERS WANT.
The Bryan Bill Rushed Through the
Senate Only Provides for the Edu-
cation of Depraved Juveniles.

The compulsory educational bill Is. B. I4l)
which passed the Senate last Tuesday, differs
very materially from the bill drafted by Super
inteudent Barnard, OF the Seattle public schools,
TO whom was referred the matter by the school,
masters Club. which met at Tacoma last Satur-
day. The bill passed by the Senate was drafted
by State superintendent Bryan, and was read
by him at the meeting of the club. Its proyis-
ions were criticised by many members present,
and Mr.. Barnard was appointed upon a commit
tee TO draw up bill to represent the views OF
the club Superintendent Bryans bill is enti-
tied IAN act to provide for the compulsory and
reformatory education of juvenile disorderly
persons" The bill prepared by Superintendent
Barnard is OF broader scope--'To compel children
under II years of age to attend school certain
length of time each year" The Bryan bill is
copied from the Michigan law, while the Barn
ard bill is modelled after the Ohio law The
bills are different in their proviZions and in
their manner of enforcement The Bryan bill
provides that each school district containing an
incorporated town or city may establish I'M
graded schools or departments for the following
classes OF pupils:
Class one-Habitual truants from any school
in which they are enrolled as pupils.
Class two-Children who, while attending any
public school, are incorrigible, turbulent dis
obedient or insubordinate, or who are vicious or
immoral III conduct.
Class three-Children who are not enrolled in
and other public places, and who have no law
full employment or occupation which renders at
Enforcement of the provisions of the bill in
provided for as follows:
'.In cities or towns having a duly organized
police force, it shall be the duty of the mayor
and council, or other legislative municipal body,
to designate and detail one or more members OF
the police force of such city town to assist in
cities having no duly authorized police force, it
shall be the duty of the board of directors to
designate the city marshal to assist in the en-
forcement of this act; and the board of educa-
n n
compensation OF such officer or officers for the
performance of his or their duties under this
act, and shall pay the same out Of any moneys
not otherwise appropriated. Police officers or
marshals designated to assist in the enforce
ment OF this act shall be known as truant Off
GERS"
The Barnard bill is intended to reach the
cases OF innocent children kept out of school by
the avarice OF parents TO work in mines or fac
tories, as well as the incorrigibles The first
section provides that parents and guardians
shall have their children and wards instructed
in reading, penmanship, photography, written
and mental arithmetic, geography, English
grammar physiology and hygiene, history and
constitution of the United States. 1t requires of
parents and guardians that each child under IL
years of age shall be sent to public or private
school for a period of not less than twenty
weeks in city districts each year, not less than
ten weeks of which shall be consecutive; in viii
age and township, districts not less than
consecutive, unless it shall be sat
isfactorily shown that the physical or
mental cOnCll1On OF Sucn cnllQ prevents
attendance. or that such child is taught at home
by competent tutor in the branches usually
taught in primary schools Section two i'm
poses penalty OF $50 upon any corporation,
company or person, who shall, during any school
term, employ any child under fourteen years of
age unless the parent or guardian gives substan-
tial proof that the child has complied with the
provisions OF the first section. Section three re-
quires all minors between fourteen and sixteen
years of age who cannot read or write the En-
glish language TO attend school or night school,
or take private instruction.
In cities of 5000 inhabitants and over the
board OF education shall employ one more
truant officers vested with police powers au-
thorized to enter factories, work shops or stores
for the enforcement of the act, making daily
report to the superintendent OF public
schools. He shall examine into all cases
of truancy. In cases where child
under Ia years OF age is dependent partially or
wholly upon his or her own labor for living,
or is the support of others, the truant officer
shall report the same to the proper authorities
and endeayor to provide such relief as will
enable the child to obtain the requisite instrue-
ton. If such relief cannot be obtained, the
board of education may provide for the private
instruction of such child.
The bill did not reach Olympia until yester-
day, after the Bryan bill had passed the Senate.
An effort will be made to have the Barnard bill
enacted.
Superintendent Barnard, while speaking of
the two bills yesterday, said: 'The principal
objections to the Bryan bill is that it provides
only for incorrigible and disorderly children,
while we want bill TO reach the unfortunate
class who are kept at work in factories mines
as well as the ineorribibles. The Bryan bill
takes the Enforcement of the law away from the
boards of education, and places it i'll the hands
OF the mayor"
The bill prepared by superintendent Barnard
day, and is now under consideration by the
committee on education.