The morning call., 1891-04-19
CORPORAL PUNISHMENT.
A Letter From One Who Thinks Children
Cnn Re Rrnupht LIN Without Ii.

A Letter From One Who Thinks Children
Can Be Brought Up Without 1t.
Editor Morning Gail: The first discipline TO
be exercised in school is sei-dlsclplne, begin
ming with the teacher. Whoever is Incapable of
selfcontrol is unfit for teaching, aud whoever
can do this govern the children at home or
at school. What must have are intelIi-
gent, honest, truthful, conscientious men and
women. who see and understand the require
ments Of the position from high moral stand
point-wh0 Will aud can bring their best capa-
biliies into the work of educating our future
citizens and lawmakers. Those who enter this
high calling from other than the highest mo-
tiyes will defeat their success and bring
disgrace upon the vocation. A teacher said
within my hearing: / feel degraded
In being COMPEL TO teach these dirty
brats. but the salary is to be cOnsid-
ered' II such teachers are placed IN
our schools, bringing spirit OF disgust and IN
difference into the scho0l-room, the same spirit
Will pervade the minds aud feelings OF the pupils.
Such teachers may b. found among thoSr VINO
resort TO petty crlielties, such as pinching the
arm or COMPRISING the bones OF the hand or
pressing a lead pencil between the fingers, each
causing eNcIueiating pain, to which The rattan
is mercful. teacher who descends to this bar
barlsm should be expelled at once from The
school and be punished by fine and imprlsOn-
menI. as other criminals The influence Of such
teacher would degrade any child. But many
OF our teachers are honorable exceptions to this
class, and are blessing TO The pupils who enjoy
their Instructions; TO these | am not alIuding,
and OF any " / Get nought down in malice" l
speak from experience, and strong wish that
greater discrimination should be used In select
Ing pes sons TO MI such important positions;
there is no nobler vocation than that OF develop
ing ana directing the minds OF children, but not by
calling our and cultivating til .ir worst propen-
stiles. by cruelteS ana wckedness. The rod has
no place in the education Of our children; TO
permit 1t is sill TO liuger in the shadow OF past
barbarlsm. We OF this generation have emerged
from that 10 a higher plane Of thought and con-
duct, and our children must be brought up in
accordance with this advancement Thosr who do
not and Will not recognize the spirit of the times
In which We live should resign their osltiOns as
teachers. | bslieye Mr.. SWEET Is right In his
suggestion, aud that after all efforts through
kindness and justice have failed In bringing
child TO compliance with the rules of the school,
the teachers duty 10 that pupil is ended and he
should be passed over 10 those who have been
mercliully appOin ed TO care Tor the incOrrgbe.
We are fortunate in having a man so wise and
Just at the head OF this department; II is safe 10
follow his ideas III all matters pertaining TO our
schools
But some one says the children are bad Yes
some of them are, and will continue TO be so I'M
I'll nature is reversed and like" no longer "be-
gets Ike" The tree Is known by It's fruits"
The children ACT from natural impulses. good or
bad. II the best elements OF their character are
cultivated aud Kept In eXelei sc by precept and
example by The parents, 10 The home restraint
VIII set easily upon them at school or elsewhere.
To talk OF ''cOnquerng" a Child by physical
force only shows that greater strength may over
come physical weakness; aud The teacher who
attempts 1t understands but poorly The demands
spirit to cheerful obedience, TO even just demands
requires Ih- application OF very different ideas
and principles. Shall fire be fought with hire?
There Is remissness on the part OF parents; do
they realize duty on iheil part toward our
teacher and schools that the teachers should be
encouraged and inspired by the parents eyincing
an interest and appreciation of what is being
done for their children by occasionally calling at
the schools upon The teachers? a teacher said
to me: "If The parents would only call upon US
and CO. operate with Us in regard to their chill
dren, II would be a great satisfaction and help
each TO 4 utter understanding OF each others
wishes" VIII the parents act upon this and
see now quickly new interest Will be felt IN
schools and teachers. II. X.
San Erdllcisco. april Is. 1891.