Omaha daily bee., 1895-06-02
THE SCHOOLS OF THE PEOPLE
A New York Illustration of the Pad
Evils in Public Schools.
COMPULSORY EDU CATION lNPENNsYLvANli
Documentary Proof of the First Free
Public School-The National Conven-
tio1 at Denver-Commenceme
Educational Notes.

The New York legislature passed an act
to compel systematic teaching in all the
schools as to the effects Of alcohol and to-
bacco on health. A similar law was enacted
some years ago. but it was not enforced, and
the superintendent Of the New York City
schools has filed protest against the present
act, which must be approved by the city au-
thorities before 1t becomes a law. The super
intendent says that while the act cannot pos
sibly accomplish any good purpose not al
ready adequately provided for, "it makes in
ordinate demands upon the time Of the
pupils"
Discussing this point and "fads'' in gen
eral, the New York World says: 'It would
be a good thing if~the legislature could be
induced every year to give heed to that one
wise little sentence. The great majority Of
pupils in city public schools have only a
very few years in which to get any eiuca-
tion at all. Bread winning necessity reduces
the period of their school attendance to a
minimum. They have barely time at best to
learn TO read write and cipher, and In fact,
the greater number of them learn these nee
essary things very imperfectly. Every hour,
every minute of school time devoted to any
thing else robs them of instruction which they
sorely need to equip them for the work Of
earning honest livings.
The 'faddists' are the curse of the schools
They seem never to reflect upon conditions.
| They proceed as If all the school children
had before them the full period of education
which is granted only to the children of the
well-to-do.
"The patent fact is that our schools are
| unable to do adequately even the necessary
work that lies before them. They cannot
! provide even rudimentary education for all
| the children who have a right to claim 1t.
| They turn thousands away every year and
instruct the others very imperfectly. So long
| Nnt1 80 xfgtp ttn,,
to introduce other instruction than the neces-
sary teaching Of reading, writing and arth-
| metic is distinctly wrong"
| COMPULSORY EDUCATION.
| Philadelphia is confronted with a condition
similar to that complained OF in New York
School accommodations are inadequate 1t is
estimated that 10000 children are shut out
Of the schools at the present time, because
| the school authorities are unable to supply
the necessary buildings. Notwithstanding
this fact the legislature has passed a compul
sorry education law which imposes severe
penalties on parents who fail to send theil
| children TO school.
Under the new law every child in the com
| monwealth between 8 and 13 years OF ag'
must attend for at least sixteen weeks il
each year a school In which the common
English branches are taught. The law II
sweeping in its requirements, excepting onl!
such children as are certified by parents Of
guardians to be mentally or physically in
capactated, or who live two miles or mort
from a public school, or who are being In
structed in other schools or by private teach
ers in the common English branches whicl
are taught in the public schools.
The law is highly penal In its provisions
fine Of 81 Is imposed on parents o
guardians In every case for the first offens
against the law. and for each succeeding
offense the fine is IS. This fine is imposes
by the school board, but appeal is allowe
to the court OF quarter sessions OF the prope
county.
In order that the law may be fully enforced
and that none may escape its provisions,
census OF the school children OF each distric