The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1894-06-12
TEMPERANCE BOOKS
School Directors Disagree
AS to Their introduce
ton In the Schools.
COMPROMISE PLAN SUGGESTED
Let the Subject Be Taught in the
Form of Lectures by the r
Teachers. e
COMPROMISE PLAN SUGGESTED

There is much diversity of opinion among
the members of the Board Of Education as
to what steps will be taken TO carry out the
provisions of the law passed by the last
Legislature providing for the instruction OF
the scholars in the Public Schools ON the
evil effects of intemperance. Director
Beach is anxious to see the law carried OUT
in every point, but there are others who be-
lieve in ignoring the law. Other studies,
they contend, are of more Importance. The
cost is another matter which the directors
are considering, and right here 1T is thought
a nice compromise will be effected. The law
by some is construed to mean that each
scholar must be supplied with a text book.
This is where the book trust comes in, and 1t
may be said this is a book trust construction
of the law. But Jersey City officials, under
the watchful eye of Mayor Wanser, are
practising, not preaching. economy, and II
money can be saved the taxpayers, it Will be
saved, and in this matter one or two OF the
directors believe there can be a great saw
ing, and in this way:-Instead OF purchas-
ing text books for the scholars, these d.
rectors would purchase q sufficient number
taught by lectures. Those who ought to
know say the result would be as pronounced
as if each scholar had a text book.
The directors have not decided on the
matter as vet, and for that reason do not
care to express a decided opinion.
SIMPSONS OPINION.
Director Robert A. Simpson thinks that a
child should know something OF temperance
questions, but time spent over this study
should not be such as to detract from studies
of greater Importance.
cit means" he says, "a question of S40O,OOO
to book concerns and education of children
at the least possible expense to the city Is a
paramount thought in my mind"
Director VIM. H. Bench was at first I'M
willing to express any opinion on the matter
for the reason that the Board OF Education
has not yet considered the subject,
$50 far as Mrs. Hunt is concerned, and L
suppose" he said, s.that her name will proba-
bly, come up in this matter know posltlvely
that there no dickering with any book con-
Germ. She is a woman above r~eproach. Now
for the board. We will only be influenced
by the best possible plans to carry out what
l have always believed in, that the tenn
perance question should be fully taught IN
our schools. The law will go into effect
after the first of July, and we will be OBJ
liged to obey it unhesitatingly."
When spoke to Director O~bergfell about
| the teaching of the effects of alcohol on the
system he sald:- .
ssThe Board of Education has not yet
come to any decision concerning the matter
| and | don't know what will be done. What
ever action the majority of the board deems
proper in this connection | will sustain. l
do not suppose it will do the children any
harm to know the effects of alcohol on the
| system. sven if 1T never does them good"
director, what do you think it will cost
| this city to introduce this studyg'
mot more than $4,000, and | doubt If 1t
| will cost nearly SO much"
"When will the Board of Education take
| fnal action in this matter?"
t.Not before September next"
This was all that Mr.. Obergfell would say
| Hoos, but learned that he was in Spring
| Valley, N. Y, with his family.
DEGNAN THINKS THE LAW A GOOD oNE.
Director Deguan was found later, and he
| said in reply to a question:
THE effects of alcohol on the human sys-
| tenn are being taught now in some OF the
schools, and it has been taught for many
years. OF course the Board OF Education
| will comply with all of the requirements OF
the law in regard to teaching this 3informa-
ton, and I think the law a good one. l am
| in favor of it. | have no idea what it will
cost the city to do what the law demands in
this respect, but there is no doubt but that
| the law will be followed in September next.
Director Elijah S. Cowles says that he is
in the dark about the matter, and the board
is in a quandary.
1.-THE act is somewhat peculiar, and pro
vides that we must select and purchase these
books before July 1.
"Now, / think we will lave to appoint a
| committee to look into the matter, n gain
| some advice as to our action. have IN
| tended bringing the subject up before the
board, but awe had no time. We will take
some action SOON"