New-York tribune., 1895-05-22
TEACHERS FIGHTING A BILL
THEY WILL. ASK GOVERNOR MORTON NOT
TO SIGN IT

ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTION WITH REGARD TO
THE EFFECTS OF ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND
NARCOTICS on THE HUMAN SYSTEM DE-
cLARED TO BE UNNEcEssARY-DEFEcTs
OF TIE MEASURE POINTED our.
trRoM THE REGULAR coRRFsPoNp DENT OF HETRInuNE1
A,hanv Nav 21-Charlcs II. skinner the new
Republican Superintendent of Public 1nstruc-
,ion ~ of the opinion that the Legislature has
made n mistake in passing the bills requiring
additional instruction TO be given in the public
schools of the state with reference TO the effects
~ alcoholic drinks and narcotics on the human
system. The proposed law says that not less
than four lessons a week for ten more weeks
in each year shall be given in physiology and
hygiene in all grades below tho second year of
tho high school in all schools under State
cnntroi The bill also says that "all pupils VINO
can read shall study this subject from suitapie
textbooks. but pupils unable to read snail oe
instructed In it orally by teachers using text
books adapted for such instruction as guide
and standard and these textbooks shall ne
graded to the capacities Of primary inter
mediate and high school pupils
Superintendent skinner has issued a 'cPcu'ai'
addressed 10 the school-teachers OF the state
giving the text Of the bill. which Is now peio'e
the Governor. and expressing his own ADVERSE
ceived replies from twenty-six school suPerih-
tendents representing 900 teachers ana ioc'-
oOO nunils expressing their agreement WIN MN
In opposition to the bill. The principals OF the
normal schools Of the State have heiu "iee.
ing and passed resolutions expressihs ''e"
disapproval of IL. Speaking OF the pii' "'""''
Superintendent Skinner said III 'his iie"o"e
becomes a law it will impose upon the Paien'S
OF children attending the public schoois Vi '"e
State an expense Of s50OOOO for the purchase u
books" IN Mr.
In his circular letter respecting the Dill "''
Skinner says:
tb whe nbfact TINS soust bV this Bill it has steadily op
posed it's passage ihroughn 'he hneisonnroyai for the
hopes it may meet Executive ''S"p'
Ii is absolutely unnecessary Ine h"ois id~ H sup
ported by public money in physiology ana hiSSeboc
with special reference 10 The enec, o oi the " human
system is honestly and efficiently enforced IN in an
den f pube instrmction More careful aten
ton has been PAID the study OF physo,loey ni
and narcotics on the human aystem, man "VXS
other subject taught in our common scn9o ,hn have
teachers have been licensed since sd ,Snoe Tno snb
not passed satisfactory examinations III ms a,ter
;sgs IN IL ses% fac' subject. sn, ihan in any
shown by examinations and Ae recoris o ','o ooda
mics have better knowlecge OF these subjects tnan
OF any other shown by Nesenis rNn,tr,,,"rIiy
tre",id IN our schools 80 evidence has been fur.
nshc n% me ne aS Is Of "Gt hs
II II Is not enforced In ctes the piop, .SsrS,e,s
Of he cities every city has special school char
ter and the State Supcrnendeni hns no lnI''',,ii ,i
cnnnot have Jurisdiction under the present bili
The state Superintendent OF ruoc ,aw
VIZ Whenever can be shown to ,ee satlsf"c. Y,i,
lion o. the s sIS s ~ cncr wy T or s
evaded violated IN any district he may withhold lnh
district as may afBe"p auonnmen ,o ann Vas not consid
speh spss rSe State s%perntendent also offered to
make a special inquiry in every school district OF
the STATE "a as TO sns NTH 10 ysw OF obanns
definite nfo nation This will be done in any event
but the proposition was not accepted
subject The bin provides that the subject shall be
weeks in each year in all GRADES below ,as ise
State State control This means that all pupils mus,
pursue the subject until they reach the second
such study iii they have passed satisfactorily the
required primary intermediate or h,sh- -scnooi d
demanded lby whomo they must continue the sub sub,
ect through the cSu1Se m Any s9r0ush
at the proper time in three months Of 1ss.ahT, IN
for al ns ns
g. 1t interferes with established methods Of teach
Young they may be1 shall study this subject from
suitable textbooks This does away with systems
schools, where .eachers alone are provided with
textbooks and who claim 10 get the best results
from that method. 1t also means that hundreds
of thousands of young children must be provided
with textbooks which are unnecessary The cost
OF textbooks is already a grievous burden. II is
not claimed ha, the bin is in the interest Of pub
direction Is not unnatural
4. Quality not TO be considered-"For students
below high-school grade. such textbook, shall
give at least one-ffth Of their space and for stu
dents OF high-schoo grade shall give not less than
twenty pages TO the nature and effects OF alcoholic
drinks and other narcotics. etc" II Is thus pro:
vided that quantity may be accepted In place Of
quality in the preparation of textbooks. If what
is said can be spread over the required number OF
pages 1t matters little what the quality may be:
No provision is made 20 what authority shall
pass upon the text books to be used
g. 1t demands what Is already provided.-"ln all
teachers Institutes adequate time and attention
shall be given to instruction in the best methods
OF teaching this branch" Adequate time and at
tention already given in all these departments.
as fully II not more. than in any other particular
subject Who Is 10 be the fudge OF adequate time
and attention? mo teacher shall be licensed who
subject and the best method OF teaching H. This
is already the law and strictly enforced
G.. who is to make tests?-"Al pupils must con-
fnue the study til they have passed satisfactorily
the required primary intermediate and high-schoo
test In the same" Who is to make these tests and
how are they 10 be made and reported? Must
separate record be made OF the test OF each pupil
before public money be received? This adds TO
the burdens OF examina tons. and our schoo children
are already being examined TOO much and too often
Why an exceptional test In this study!
Z An unreasonable penalty.-No penalty is pre-
scribed in reference TO the study OF any other sub
1ect taught in our schools Why single out one SUBJ
ject where all are faithfully taught, Trustees EN-,
p.oy teachers and trust them TO see nat courses OF
study are faithfully followed. II they are not and
the district loses. its share OF the pubic money
through any technicality. the trustee becomes per-
sonally liable for teachers wages Let the law be
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