St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-11-13
TRUANTS ARE WARY.
Children Making a Better At
tendance at the City Pub
lie Schools.
Stirred Up by the Threatened
Enforcement of Truaut
Law.
Supt. Kiehle BewailS the Law
Cannot Be Enforced in
Country Districts.
Want Of Clothing and Books
Responsible for Absentee
ism in the City.

The state superintendent of public
instruction is of the opinion that the
truancy act, although general statute,
is imperative in his province. 1t fails
to specify that the state superintendent
shall enforce its provisions. However,
the law specially says that the duty is
encum5ent upon the president of the
board of educationS and the school di-
rectOrs. While the country schools
have no board Of education. and ergo,
no president, every district has direc-
tors. And in this connection it should
be stated that the act makes the preSi
dent of the board or the school directors,
as the case may. be liable TO fine of not
less than $50 and not more than $50 for
neglect of enforcing the law. But ii is
not probable that this part of the enact
ment can become operative for the rea-
son that it prediSpOSes 10 the fact that
such officers are cOgniZant of specific
charges.
Whether the law is good and sufli-
cient, or whether it is weak and with
out effect Or not, has never been tested.
Bat the board and Supt. Gilbert are de
termined to speculate upon the judy
ment of Corporation Attorney Lawler
that it will accomplish just what it is
| designed to accomplish, il it is found
necessary. On the other hand, it may
become necessary to resort to heroic
means to secure the attendance of the
children as the law cOntemDlates, for
the reason that since publication of the
fact that extreme measures would be
| taken in the event the children con-
tinued to absent themself, large num-
Der OF such truant children as it was de-
signed to reach have been enrolled.
The principals report All increase iii
| every school, which is good omen for
/ st. Paul.
There are valid excuses that must be
accepted. and one is, OF course. sick
| ness. But the most common excuse is
! poVerty-lack of respectable clothing
and textbooks. If parents who cannot
! properly clOthe their children will re-
! port to the superintendent Of schools,
! the charitable institutions of the city
| will undertake to provide for them.
! Poverty is no crime, but good many
worthy subjects IOr aid are restrained
| from asking it owing TO pride, and for
| the other reason that they are aware
| that great many applicants for charity
are VIGOROUSLY Shiftless. lazy and I'M
| deserving.
The compulsory education act does
not compel pupils to attend school at a
distance of over two miles. That an
| der ordinary circumstances, should
cover all instances. and more especially
in cities, but it has just come to the
knowledge of Supt. Gilbert that there
is one portion OF ST. Paul that the act,
however good and effective it may be,
cannot be of force. 1t is an isolated
case, however. as most distances pupils
have to go is much less than half a
mile
! This instance is in the newly acquired
territory to the east of the city. There
is quite a large settlement of Poles. who
follow market gardening, and they have
! no school facilities whatever. Some OF
the larger children walk into the city
| and attend school in winter. but none
| attempt it in summer.
Mr.. Gilbert will direct the attention
of the board of education to the condi
| ton at the next meeting. and it is more
| than likely that steps will be taken a
once to provide the locality with f;
! school,