The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-03-18
THE HYPNOTIZED REPORTER.

j have been reading the papers recently
and have been deeply Impressed with the
verdict of the cOroner's jury in the case
of Mrs. Rachel Grifil;hs. l find the fol-
Grifiiths came TO her death from injuries
received by being knocked down by a
mall wagon driven by James Hamilton.
We believe that the mail wagon was
sary. rate OF speed and deprecate the fast
driving prevalent in the city" Below this
l discover a statement to the effect that
the coroner does not believe the verdict
to know that the rights of the cabman.
grocer boy and reckless Jehu generally
have been defined. There has heretofore
been doubt as to the legal right of a
streets, and certain citizens have been
of the opinion that 1t was the driver >
business to exercise care In Scranton as in
other cities. Now that it has been de-
and kill them without fear Of punishment
poor persons who are Obliged to walk
may take warning and climb an electric
light pole when the vehicle Of one of
the fast drivers appears in the distance.
Speaking of streets, It is to be hoped
that the approach of another summer will
inaugurate a new order of arrangements
agree with me. but in the opinion Of yours
under hypnotic influence the flushing pro-
cess is the only method yet discovered
whereby asphalt paved streets may be
cleaned without filling houses along. the
route with obnoxious dust that has been
stirred up by sweepers. If the water sup
ply for the purpose does not hold out,
of course sweepers will be necessary; but
for health, comfort and cleanliness the
washing system Is certainly superior 20
the most approved sweeper. Down at
Wilkes-Barre streets are sprinkled ahead
of the sweepers and some of the unpleas-
ant eeffcts are avoided. II there is any
thing in the assertion OF health ofncials
regarding the evil effects of germs that
lurk in the filth along our thoroughfares.
the street sweeper which sends deadly
particles afloat on the air is certainly a
curse to humanity.
My attention has recently been called
to the present system of hothouse in
struction in many of our schools whereby
the intellect of the rising generation is
kept under constant strain to digest food
for thought that Is forced into the
brain. Parents have stated that In some
instances 1t Is necessary for their children
to spend the greater portion of each ev'
ening during school days in hard study
in order to keep up with their classes or
gain smattering OF the various branches
that have been forced upon them. 1t Is
believed that but few who graduate ct a
tender age from our schools are thor
oughly equipped for life's battles in an
educational way. The student who is
rushed through course OF study anu
graduates at an age when he should be
trundling u hoop is usually physical
wreck from hard study or an Intellectual
parrot, discoursng upon that which he
does not understand. Sad as II may seem
while there are exceptions, Scranton has
furnished some frightful examples Of the
school graduate whose course OF study
was finished before the student had ar
rived at years of understanding. This
state of affairs is no doubt largely due TO
thoughtlessness on part of teachers who.
in their enthusiasm, are SO anxious Tor
progress in various departments that they
force pupils beyond their powers OF en-
durance and comprehension. Scranton
school teachers. as a rule, are progressive
and are constantly reaching out for new
ideas and new methods of instruction and
1t is believed that their greatest failing
Is the propensity to follow the teachings
of theoretical instructors who air their
schemes at institutes and advance Ideas
of high pressure education that are not
practical. 1t is to be hoped that the the
orist of the future will counsel modera-
ton.
Il II u
Mr.. Dickson's crusade against /profan-
ity Is commendable. An enforcement OF
laws bearing on this subject cannot fail
to bring good results. l think. however.
that Mr.. Dickson ought to make an ex-
ception of moving day.