New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-06-16
vTvrsEcTIoN IN SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES.

yTVrSFrTION IN SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES.
To thu Editor ~ Tho Tribune
Sir | desire through your widely read columns
10 call attention To question ~ vital importance
to the boys and girls now being educated In our
publ" schools
Il viii doubtless be a shock 10 many 10 know
that there are many schools whore in classes n
phvs.ology In th, presence ~ children. sometimes
Of tender years experiments are introduced In dis
section and viyisccton.
I'm lust how many schools experiments on living
animals take place IS not. OF course. known. But
the precautionary and preventive measures deemed
necessary elsewhere would with other Indications.
shos that this grave evil is greatly the Increase.
and may be found 10 exist I'm every city. In Massa-
chusciis law prohibiting such exhibitions has been
passed within a year. Strange that I; should be
necessary to the passage OF law to restrain
the so-cailcl cultured men and women 10 whom Is
intrustcd the education Of our youth from intro
ducing into public school system such degrad-
Ing and demoral.zng practices, which cannot fall
TO vfiatc and pcrvcrt the young mpressionabe
minds committed 10 their
II would shrink with hcrror." said Doctor Iiough-
ton. from accusfcming classes OF young men ~
the sight Of animals under vivlscction. Science
would gain nothing. and the world would have let
loose upon T. set %, young devils" rs II not
significant fact" says another writer. which
recent census II thc United States r,vras-that OF
the whole number Of murdcrers confined in our
many--thc which pertains to hiood-lettIns. and
the taking ~ lIfr'"
While II Is alarming on the one hand 10 know That
dissection and vivsecton are so greatly on the In
crense In public school system. 1t is encouraging
10 know that In many schools humane Instruction
has beer adopted. and IN many Instances Black
beauty f. used supplementary reading book.
The eminent French master De Sally says: Even
after introduced the teaching OF kindness to ami
mails into my school. found the children not only
more kind to animals. but also more kind to each
other. and I am convinced that kindness TO animals
is the beginning OF moral perfection. and that a
child who IL taught humanity TO them will I'm later
years learn love his fellow men"
This teaching kindness to animals may seem
a very simple thing. but the looks into
It's merits tn, more searching and penetrating does
this spiritualizng influence prove to be- bringing
about II real change OF heart and OF action. In
spring love. justice and compassion In the place
OF thoughtess scnshness and needless cruelty:
sympathizc with the claims and needs OF the lowIy
creatures who form he theoretical object lesson
and II Is not difficult 10 see how the protecting
u S whln Sms ay y" may e ns
In after years the noble. altrustic sentiment which
cerianed that ou OF near seven thousand children
who had been carefully taught kindness to animals
charged with "A criminal offence In any court: and
out OF about two thousand convcts In our prisons
lwcIv" had any pee animals during childhood"
Massachusetts, hn' now law Mso against ,ali wy
and since u isrgc reward Is offered for evidence
against the svd%cr TITS InSc'%en IKE v her ohS
from traps. etc. VIII doubtless prove as eficacious
as il Is wise and lnst Tow IS !, win T. our coleses
any law or authority 10 regulate the awfu suffer
lngs In those lnboraores' Or docs Il depend solely
u .d nnletY Msy We not look to he press kindly to
US II this hi Ana win not o ss
against the atrocities perpetrated In the name Of