The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-03-25
Trying Something New.

'InOuSntS ON compulsory Euuca-
ton was the subject of an address
delivered a few days ago by DR.. Ma
than c. Shaeffer, state superintendent
of public instruction, before the depart
ment of municipal government and
education of the Civic club of Philadel-
phia. The doctors thoughts We're wise,
timely and forcefully expressed. The
first Of them was an attempt to i'm
press upon his hearers the need of
choosing as school directors the very
best men to be had. Said he:
The judge of the court in one county
recently asserted that he knew of no cor
pOrate body of men in the state of Penn
sylvania more powerful than school
board unless it was another school board
The school board is vested with power to
select school sites, erect the buildings
employ the teachers, fix the salaries, levy
the taxes adopt the courses of study, Sc
lect the text books. after consulting the
teachers. disburse the state appropriation
and determine whether the children Of
Pennsylvania shall have more than the
minimum term of schooling fixed by law.
The compulsory education act of 1885 fur
ther enarges these powers by authoriz-
ing the school board to pass upon the ex-
cuses which are offered for non-attend-
ance at school; thus it makes them, to
some extent, responsible for the future
illiteracy of the people of this common
wealth. Hence 1t is the patriotic duty Of
every voter to cast his ballot for the best
person to ill the Office of school director
regardless of creed, sex. color or politics.
Coming to the subject of compulsory
education, and more especially to the
question of its justification he said:
The day for arguing whether we should
have compulsory act or not has gone
by. 1t is simply question whether the
present act shall be enforced or can he
enforced. If the law is a bad one. the best
way to secure its repeal is to enforce it.
If any of It's provisions are inadequate or
unwise. let 1t be amended. Perhaps the
mere attempt to enforce it will bring to
light the causes which now keep children
out of school. l look at this matter who'll
ly from the standpoint of the child. Ev-
cry child has the right to an education:
and not even the struggle for bread can
excuse modern society for depriving any
child OF the rudiments of an education.
Moreover. 1t is matter of self-preserva-
ton with the state to educate its citizens.
In free government the people who rule
or help to elect the rulers must be sulIi-
ciently enlightened to cast their votes in
telligently, otherwise the very existence of
free government is imperilled. In different
ways the state asserts its right to pro-
tect itself against danger and destruction.
1t nilicts death for treason, imprison
ment for violation of its laws. taxes for
the support of its judicial and executive
machinery. IT intiicts penalties upon
those that disturb its good order and well
fare. 1t Furnishes parents for cruelty TO
children and to animals. Why should we
hesitate to punish those in charge of II
child for depriving that child of school
advantages and cursing it with ignorance
all its days" 1t Is never wise TO follow
the example of the ostrich which Is ia
bled to bury its face in the sand for the
purpose of hiding from itself coming
danger and destruction. Although we
have increased our state aid to five and
u half millions and raised by local taxa
ton between thirteen and fourteen mil
lions more, we have failed to keep pace
with other states and other lands in re-
ducing the percentage of iliteracy among
our population.
This last assertion the doctor pro-
ceeded to fortify. as follows: "Reck-
oning upon the basis OF illiteracy to the
total population ten years of age and
over Pennsylvania ranked twentieth in
1870; twenty bird in 1880 and twenty
seventh in 1890. If we base cur esti-
mate upon the percentage of illiteracy
to the native white population ten
years of age and over, Pennsylvania
in 1870 ranked twenty second; in 1880
twenty y-fifth, and in 1890. twenty ninth.
In other words if we conceive of Il
spelling class whose boys are named
after the states of this Union, and
who are ranked to the percentage of
illiteracy we are compelled to admit
that the other boys have been trapping
the Pennsylvania boy. and that our
boy is gravitating towards the tail end
of the class. In view of this fact Is
it not wise for us to try something
new? Is it not the public duty of
every one to help to the full extent of
his power in making our compulsory
act effective?" Clearly, yes. The law
is on the statute books. 1t deserves a
fair trial. Let it be honestly enforced.
Senator Chandler quotes hearsay
evidence to prove that the Mckinley
managers are making q corrupt use Of
money. Does Senator Chandler, with
his long experience in politics, still be-
lieve everything he hears" Would he
kill a dog on such testimony?