Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1896-01-03
MR.. MAJOR EXPLAINS.
sDecIsIcn BY the court of Appeals Affeet-
ing Poor Children"

issue OF the ZUth you publlshed the
decision of the Upper court in the
suit of +. II. Major vs., g. V. Dom
nell and others. In order that the
public may know the reason of said
suit, trust you will give me space
in your paper, that those interested
in public schools may judge of the
merits or dement's of said suit. The
grades to be taught in public schools
have been in controversy in this DIS
trict ever since the present teacher
has had charge of said school. The
lower grades pr scribed by the State
Board of Education to be taught
free have been charged for, the
teacher claiming it impossible for
him to teach without extra charges to
all the pupils of school district. 1
protested and refused to pay said
charges, believing it was not ccntem-
plated by the State Board of Educa.
ton, Mr. refusing to pay caused
others to do likewise, thereby cutting
him out of revenue from that source,
it being illegal to make such charges.
But however it did not cool his zeal;
he was anxious for the school next
year. He knowing a good thing
when he saw it. After being de-
prived of those charges he brings up
the high grade branches and charges
for them. / refused to pay, being a
member of said district and believed
entitled TO all benefits of same. Tn
der date of Feb. rs, 1895, State Supt
Thompson writes on the question in
controversy: eff the pupil who is
charged was over 6 years of age and
under 20 years Of age and borne on
the school census Tor that year the
claim cannot be enforced if the
teacher taught those branches to
others by contract or permission OF
the trustees, those sections of the
school law referring to high grade
studies applies to those over 20 years
of age and TO outsiders and not to
those belonging to the district"
Supt. Thompson being a lawyer by
profession and State Supt. of schools
for four years, giving all Of his time
to the schools of the State, his judg-
ment in school matters was final as
l believed. Acting on his judgment
and the law, sent my children to
the fall session of 1895, the older be-
ing refused and side tracked on those
high grade branches, other students
being taught high branches. Also
students Of adjoining districts and
from Tennessee. Tie teacher and
trustees knew of Supt. Thompson
| letter, and its contents six months
pevious to the opening of the fall
term.
My child being refused these
studies, appealed TO the trustees
and teacher, they refusing to teach
unless 1 paid. 1 then filed suit tc
test the legality of the question in
dispute, telling them to teach my
child such branches as she was com
petent to study and if the suit was
favorable to their views would pay
for same. They refused, | then took
the child home. These are my rea-
sons for said suit as it not only af-
fected the right of my children, but
Of every child of school age in the
State. With due respect TO the up,
per court, their decision may he legal
but it is not just to the poor children
of the State. It defeats the object ol
the law as designed by its trainers
They intended it for the poor chill
dren as we'll as the rich, that there
! should be no discrimination whatever
between the children as practiced il
this district, If we take Supt. Thomp
sons view of the school law. There
are number OF children in this dis
trict the decision excludes from schoo
privileges. They are under 20 year
of age and have passed the lowe,
grade branches and are on the census
for the school year. The State hal
collected their percapita from the IA
PAYERS, now under the decision of thu
court, who gets the money! Does j
60 to the teacher who refuses to teact
themi That would be robbery. o.
will it go back to the State Treasury
l think those things are worth look
ing after to those that have children
to educate or to anyone that is in
terested in public schools. The tai
payer doesn't wish to see his mone'
thrown away or diverted from tn
way it was intended.
The decision virtually says to tn,
poor man, "If you haven't the money
your child must not expect any more
schooling at the States expense, re
gardless Of its age. If under 20 years
Of age we enroll you until you are 20
collect the money, give it to some
! one we care not who. Your parents
must assist in building school houses
pay incidental fees to keep the prem
ises in good repair so that outsiders
land people from other States can have
the use of them, but as to you, yor
must not learn SO rapidly. If you. Dc
YOU go out to make room for a.. ~. ~
sid&pupil. So the teacher on t 'is
your lpercapita and extra u@ i--'n
\. f,av...t -, 4af6ars 40 Gil HI lf-.f