Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-02-14
COMPULSORY EDUCATION.
A Statement With Reference TO tho Bill
Now Pending Before the Legislature.

A Statement With Reference TO tho Bill
Now Pending Before the LcGisinture.
Editor GdzOtte: desire cspeci-
ally to call your attention, fayorably,
and that of your readers, 10 a bill now
pending in the Heuse of Representa-
tives. 1t is known as the bill to provide
compulsory education to the boys and
girls Of this State, within certain we'll
defined limits as to age, mental and
physical capacity.
At the instance of the New. Century
Club, a committee composed of Mrs.
Charles S. Rowland, chairman, Mrs. A.
D. Warner, Mrs Benjamin Nields, Mrs.
A. II. Berlin and Mrs. j. Frank Ball,
was empowered to take some steps be-
fore the present Legislature, looking
toward the enactment of such bill.
1t was very agreeable coincidence
which brought to the sttention of the
ladies of this committee the information
that at least one other organization OF
this city beside the New-Cenpry Club
was making an effort In the same direc-
ton. This augured very well, it was
thought, for the widespread desire to
see the advantages Of an education con-
ferred upon all our growing youth.
1t is scarcely worth while to speak of
what education, even the most modest
one, will do for the boy. or the girl, both
as an incentive to higher things and as
u deterrent against wayward impulses.
| One consideration which ought to weigh
heavily upon the minds of all is this
| that the boy of tender years will be the
citizen of the future, and that his con-
duct then will be. or ought to be, ma
terially affected by what the State does
now for him.
Referring to the last general census,
it is found that the number of children
in Delaware, of school age, who arc not
registered in any school, runs up into
several thousands. Ii we desire munich
pal and State purity, let US improve and
increase our educational facilities and
opportunities. If, on the other hand,
we desire municipal and State corruption,
let us increase the sum of llliteracy.
Which shall it he?
The bill now pending before our State
Legislature and which the New-Century
Club is prepared to recommend, con-
tains some features which are especially
admirable; and it is these features to
which desire to call your attention.
In The first place, all children between
the ages of and IA, who are of sound
mental and physical capacity, shall
come within the provisions of the act
These shall attend school, at least twenty
(20) weeks out of the year and shall be
taught the English language, reading
writing, arithmetic, American history
and geography.
Another commendable feature of the
bill under consideration is the section
which holds the father accountable
between the ages mentioned, for the
conduct of his child. Any other COURSE
was thought by the committee to b.
subversive of the very fundamental ide;
involved in parenthood, namely, thu
idea of responsibility.
1t need scarcely be said that we arr
pretty sure of having the cooperation
of the Board of Education, the author
lied agent iu this city of matters educa
, tional. There are no insurmountabl
difficulties to hinder the passage of thi
bill, so far as the committee can sec
The bill provides for certain fixed dat
after its passage-if it recommend itsel
, to the wisdom of our law makers-wheI
, it shall go into effect and this lease 0
,, time would be ample notice for bringin
, all educational machinery into harmon
with it.
! In some Of its more specific feature
. this bill is the result of a conference be
!, tween the New Century Club committe
) and similar committee from the Pa
j. triotic Sons of America, an organizatio
numbering several thousand votes. Til
:. latter organization has already indu:
triously circulated petitions in the tw
lower counties of the State, asking fc
signatures to aid in effecting the passae
of the bill prepared by their society. /
a one place alone the names of 700 either
were obtained to the petition.
e When the desire to sec our Stat
g stand forth among the galaxy of STATE
d which has already provided educatio
If for all its young people, is SO nearl
e general as it now appears to be, OF
e legislators cannot do better than
le grant the request. IDA NJ. BALL.
No. 1913 PARK PLACE, Feb. 9, 1S9
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