New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-06-25
r1rcunrRG,S BAREFOOT BOY.

Has the small boy any rights which grown people
are bound TO respect? lie, and his slsleI 'oo'
yverc recently most shamefUlly imposed upon ia
tl,is city by being cheated out of their elegant
rides in Central Park The Tribune has rdlsed us
voice for him in this matter, but SO lar WIN no
results About once month Dig OVer-gIo"n
circus elephant at the Park breaks Swn his stan
and splnters piano keys off his tusks ana sni'sncS
tl,inos generally, and it costs enough to repair
tbc damage TO give the children rides on one oil
the tame elephants half of the summer sui the
Parl, Commissioners say that they cannot aHoru
the expense But this is not the worst outrage on
the small boy of this country. The most wantoh
ndirnity is reported from Fitchburg, Mass
In the Fitchburg public schools there Is q
teacher named Miss lIOsmer. One OF hcr puphS
is Daniel Healy. Daniel is still III knlcKerDock'
ers. On one of the recent warm days he naturaly
cast away his shoes and stockings, and came 10
school with bare feet and legs. The precise MISS
Uosmcr promptly sent him home, on the grouhu
tbot the Youthful display Of small bare legs was
indecent-and this in Massachusetts, the home Of
Nr Wbittiers barefoot boy with cheek Of tan!
The elder IIealy took up the matter and brought
II "a the attention of the school board. Vigorous
discussion followed in this able body, which is now
divided into two factions, respectively known by
the townspeople as the " Bare-legs" and the Long
stoclkincso The Rev F. O. Hail. a member of
tho BOARD sides with Miss lIOsmer. Bare legs
attached TO human beings of whatever age are cX-
tremplv repulsivc to the reverend gentleman lie
demands shoes and stockings or. at least long
irousers Others of the Board, including MeSSrs
Brazicr and Smith, side with Mr.. liealy, and tell
~ their own youthful delight in bare feet ana
lecs. No decision has been arrived at, however
and the matter has been finally referred to the
superintendent and visiting committee.
We are far from Fitchburg and little Daniel
IIealy and lis legs are unknown to us, but we
think that we can safely come out in his favor.
He should be allowed to go baTefOOted II he wants
TO. Childhood knows no greater dehght-un-
less il bc robbng bumble-bees nest. Nor
must long trousers be forced on young Daniel. Ii
Miss IIosmer and the Rev. Mr.. Hall feel that
il Is their mission to carry crusade against
bare legs, no pent-up Fitchburg should con-
tract their powcrs-let them go to the nearest
fashionable watering-place. The Rev. MI Hall
may wear long trousers-in fact he doubtless
locs-and Miss IIosmcr may expect TO wear them
when the fashion in woman's dress changes next
limo Int they must not be forced on small boys.
II Miss IIosmer and the Rev. Mr.. Hall are allowed
70 have their way, the next thing we know they
will compel the Fitchburg small boys to wear
divided skirts Then they will want an apple
barrel turned over every small boy in town, with
a round hole through one end for his head TO
grow out Of In time they will want Ia pro-
hibt small boys from appearing on the streets at
all OF course il Miss Hosmer is artistically in
clined and wants u paint pair Of stockings, or
even long trousers, if it be possible, young
Daniel no one could complain. But aside from
that the privilege 10 wear his legs bare must not
be taken from him.