The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-02-07
VICTORY FOR JOHN R. FARR
Compulsory Education Measure Fa-
yOrably Reported by Committee.
BILL GIVES SATISFACTION
Eighteen Of Twenty-Five Members OF the
Committee Consider the Measure-Mr.
Seyfcrt Gracefully Acquiesced to
the Judgment Of Committee.
Special to the Scranton Tribune.


members on the committee were pres
ent. and by an unanimous vote de-
cided to report the Farr bill with a
favorable recommendation. Mr.. Sey-
fert, the author of the other compul-
sorry education BILL who is also a men,
ber of the education committee, grace
fully acQuiesced to the judgment of the
committees but reserved the right to
submit amendments to the house when
the bill is considered on second reading
While there were natural complica-
tions arising from the fact that Farl
and Seyfert, both members of the same
committee, had submitted bills on the
same subject there never has been Sc
rious doubt but that the Farr bill would
be the one decided upon. Particularly
so has this been the case since the two
bills We're printed, giving opportunity
for critical comparison. So thoroughly
in harmony was the committee with
Mr.. Fairs views of a compulsory edu-
cation bill that the amendments made
to the bill We're those suggested or
favored by Mr.. Farr and in ways that
will strengthen the measure without
making it oppressive or in any way
obnoxious to thoughtful people.
The reporting of Mr.. Fairs bill gives
general satisfaction becahse his work
in the education line as the author OF
the free book law and his persistent
championship of compulsory education
has been recognized and appreciated.
For three sessions of the legislature,
or since 1891, Mr. Farr has concentrated
his energies for a compulsory school
law. He has awakened and stimulat-
ed thought in favor of such measure
by facts and figures that have startled
educators, but have never been dis
proved by them. Twice Mr.. F'arr's
bill passed both house and senate. for
the first time in the history of the COM
monwealth, though there has been a
constant agitation for compulsory edu-
cation for many years, and various
measures were pushed only to be de-
feated in early stages of legislation
Twice Governor Pattison thwarted the
wishes of the Legislature by vetoing Mr.
Farr's bill, and for the third time that
persistent and energetic gentleman has
his bill before the house.
..-1-. The Bill as Reported.
as favorably reported from committee
Is as follows:
Section l. Be it enacted, etc, that every
parent, guardian or other person in this
commonwealth having control or charge
of u child or children between the ages OF
and 13 years shall be required to send
such child or children to a school in which
the common English branches are taught
during at least sixteen weeks of each year
in which schools in their respective dis
tricts shall be in session unless such chic
or children shall be excused from such
attendance by the board of the school dis
trict in which parent, guardian or othel
person resides, upon the presentation tC
said board of satisfactory evidence show
ing such child or children are prevented
from attendance at school or application
to study by mental or physical or Other
urgent reason; provided that in case thert
be no public school in session within two
miles of the nearest travelled road of any
} person within the school district he or sh,
shall not be liable to the provisions of thi!
act. Provided that this act shall not ap
ply to any child that has been or Is benf
otherwise instructed in the common Eng
lish branches of learning for like periot
of, time; and provided further, that tn,
certificate of any principal of any schoo
er that any child has been or is being Sc
instructed, issued to such child or 1t.
parents or guardians, shall be sufficien
and satisfactory evidence thereof.
Sec. 2. For every neglect of duty imposed
by the first section of this act the person
offending shall be guilty of a msdemeanoI
and shall, upon conviction thereof befor,
justice of the peace or alderman, for
felt a fine not exceeding 81 on the frs
for each subsequent conviction Pro
vided, upon condition the defendant o.
defendants may appeal to the court O
quarter sessions of the peace of the prope
county within thirty DAYS upon enter
ing into recognizance with one surer,
for the amount of fine and costs. Pro
vided, however, that before such penalt,
shall be incurred the parent, guardian o
other persons liable therefor shall be mott
fed in writing of such liability and shall
have opportunity by compliance with III
requirements of this act then and there
after to avoid the imposition of such pen
atty.
oss,
nam
sec. 8. III deemed necessary Tor the bet
Ter enforcement OF the provisions or thi
act boards OF school directors or schoo
controllers IN cities' poroughs and town
ships shaii employ one or more person
whose duty II shail be TO look after tru
ants and others VINO fail to attend schoo
In accordance with the provisions of thi
act
Sec. a. IL shaii be the duty OF the as
SCISSOR or voters OF every district at tn
same time that the June registration o
voters is made to make In a substantial
book provided by the county commits
sioners FOR that purpose a careful and cor
rect list OF all children between the age
OF 8 and IL years within his dis
trict, giving the name, age and residenc