The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-01-21
COMPULsOKY EDUCATION.

In q recent article in these columns,
we took occasion to comment adversely
on the fact that tho compulsory educa-
ton clause, which is upon Il statute
book ia practically a dead letter. Few
will be found to deny that the object OF
the clause is n good one. The extension
OF popular education is a benefit to tn Q
state, and not al injury. Our citizens
can have no higher aim than the prepa-
ration OF the rising generation for the
weighty responsibilities OF citizenship
and the eradication Of the dead weight
Of ignorance from among us. We may
feel strongly that in an enlightened
community such as ours there should
exist no necessity to force parents to
send their children to school and to
rea the advantages that are offered
them without money and without price.
But the necessity is there, and we have
the right to deal with it in . satisfactory
and decisive manner
The figures given by the governor OF
Illinois in his annual message come
very appropriately to supplement u
pleading. Within one year, under the
working OF q compulsory education act,
the school enrolment Of Illinois has in
creased by no less a figure than l6,454,
or, in other words, the increase in at
tendance was 20 per cent. OF all the
increase during the last ten years.
Children, in fact, have been compelled
to come to school, and receive an educa-
ton in spite OF the neglect or eve re-
fusal Of their parents. The mothers
and fathers OF Montana may or-may
not be more wide awake to the best in
terests Of their children than those Of
Illinois, but it is certain that there is a
proportion of our school children who
are being left, like Topsy, to "'spect
they growed." Illinois is probably no
worse off than her neighbors in this
respect, and yet in 1888 there we're &c.,
658 children Of school age in that state
who were not attending schools OF any
kind. How many are In the same IN
dition in Montana It is perfectly true
that conditions are not equal, that in
our more sparsely settled state there
must be greater difficulty in securing
school attendance, but we have a right
to insist that there shall be no neglect
of school opportunities, when they are
presented.
We have 100000 invested in school
buildings. The citizens Of the state are
cheerfully paying school taxes that Mon
tana in matters schola, tic may not lag
behind her neighbors. They have a
right to insist that that money shall do
the utmost possible good. AS Gov.
Fifer we'll puts it, "all are politically
interested in the intellectual and moral
development of each" The money is
not being used to the best advantage
when any proportion OF the school popu
lation is being allowed to neglect it's
chances. There is no idea OF interior
ence with the right or rights OF any
citizen, and the mar or who de.
clares that compulsory education inter
feres with the freedom OF the individual,
is radically unfit to enjoy the benefits Of
this great country. II there is any PRO
portion, however small, OF our school
children, who are not receiving an edu-
cation of any kind, our legislators should
not hesitate to insist upon the enforce
ment OF a measure so effective for public
safety and progress.