New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-03-22
AnupnLSORY EDUCATION ONCE WOE


COMPULSORY EDUCATION ONCE MORE.
Some reforms move with amazing slownesS.
Compulsory education is one Of them. For years
the Legislature has been confronted with the
fact that ignorance is on the increase IN this
great Commonweah-whic hattors Itself upon
in Intelligence: that notwithstanding the enOr-
nous annual outlay for the support of our com
mon-school system the number Of children who
never see the inside Of scboolhouse more than
keeps pace with the growth of our population.
In his report submitted in 1889 the Supenntcnd-
cnt Of Public instruction showed by n reference
to carefully compiled tables that /" the attend
ance upon the schools when compared with the
number Of children Of school age is 81 per cent
less than il was in 1861 in cities while in the
towns it has fallen off Z per cent"
This report was followed by the Introduction
of a bill providing for compulsory education
throughout the State. II was prepared by lead
ing city and village superintendent Of cduca-
ton and was Endorsed by the Superintendent
Of Public instruction. The Legislature passed
IT, but it encountered Governor llilPs veto. II
encountered. besides, the opposition Of a good
many persons who we're in hearty sympathy with
its general intent, but held that it unwarrant-
ably intcrfered with private schools and with
home instruction. The measure providing for
compulsory education which IS now pending at
Albany like this one OF 1889 and It's successo
If 1891 is open to the same cgiricism-it is no.
70 framed as 70 secure pTyae rights in educa-
ton. Therefore unless it in amended, it may
fail in the Legislature or he killed by the Coy
ernor In the circumstances, the proprictorS Of
priyate schools would be doing the Stl'e m c&-
ccllent piece of service, and oac which she may
well ask at their hands if they would appoint a
committee Of their number to prepare a section
TO be incorporated into the bill which would
render the legislation satisfactory TO them This
done. the boon Of compulsory education might
be secured this year
1t is obvious that there is urgent need Of the
passage of good practical measure to SupcrSedc
the dead letter now on our statute books. Are
not the educators Of the State equal 10 the task
Of preparing a bill which will be generally ac-
ceptabIc, which will deal mjustly to no interest?
We believe they are. We commend to them
this cxtract from Superintendent Diapers report
of last year,
Even though there may be differences Of opinion
upon minor details st an intelligent people, having
common interests ana DeHl upon "a common puIp'ae'
ought be able 20 upon the form OF legislation
which shall make that all children within specl-
fed ages shall in way or another receive the ad
vantages Of at least an elementary education. our
free public school system must be judged by results.
Its cost IS large and its results must be commensurate
The general results which It ought to produce and for
which IL will be held responsible cannot be attained
without rigid compulsory attendance laws All other
civilized nations have appreciated this fact and acted
upon it, 1t seems 10 Inc imperative that We should do
likewise.