New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-29
WOVEN AND SCHOOLS.
DIR. MARY n. HuSsEY SPEAKS PLAINLY
AND DECLARES IT A DUTY FOR MOTH
ERS DOL. TO TILE SCuOOI.S-

Or Mary d. Husscy in the Political Equality
Series" speaks Mt length the subject OF
women and the Public Schools" She says:
IF It is true that we by doing 1t is equally
true that We show what we can do by doing 1t.
Women have some form OF school suffrage In
more than half the States. This gives an oppor-
tunity TO advance the cause OF education as well
al that OF woman suffrage. Let women their
ballots to secure better schools and they will not
only Increase their selfrespect but win that OF
all good citizens.
by securing n better education for the boys and
girls OF to-day they Will not only secure better and
more useful citizens for the future. but help to
hasten the day when the State shall have added 10
the wisdom Of its sons that of its daughters.
In a Republic the State has no more important
duty than the education OF its citzer-sovereigns'
and women are the God-ordained instructors Of
youth they should have large share in the man
aGement Of schools.
An women should take interest in them as
patriotic citizens II not = taxpayers. and mothers
should take 4 treble interest in their welfare.
NO matter how good n school is. II can always
he made better or be more economically managed.
II women never visit the schools or attend the
school meetings to help elect the very best men
and women as school officials how can they know
that they have the best schools possible?
Where women attend these meetings It not only
Increases the attendance of men, but improves the
character Of the meetings and secures the election
Of better school officials. 1t has also caused more
widespread interest in educational matters.
How can We expect to children grow up
with respect for the institutions Of their country,
when they see the general Indifference OF parents
10 institution with such farreaching effects as
our school system?
school officers and teachers should be watched,
not only TO SEQ they do wrong. but to encourage
deeen, ratod from tho lack OF this stimulant.
"Wh II the children were chiefly taught AT home
home and take care Of fRcr Children But now.
VIII N thoy all 80 out to school. the mothers care
III the mothers with their fixed principles and
settled character. cannot attend political met
ing 90 and come I'm contact with the rank and file
Of the people among whom they live, how much
less can they trust their little children. with their
elected by tho politicians they much fear?
Think Of the influence teacher may have on
she has them under her authority FIVE hours a
dgay I'VE days IN the wees for ten months yea a.
very salt Of tn, earth 10 be- so trusted? And when
such teacher f. secured sh. should be honored.
There arc men everywhere who are willing to
sacrifice the schools to ther political party but It
far forget their duty 10 the children.
In one grca; city men were elected TO the School
signature and in one little village the pre- sident Ct
the Board wrote 10 the teacher School viii begin
"ough; mothers to he satisfied with schools man
aged by such ignorant men;
Women often have more moral courage thln
men. especially when the welfare Of children is AT
stake. This was shown ia the case Of a school
principal VINO so neglected his duty that while he
f,af ne newspapers nus pupils read numerous nov
els Many parents took their children from the
school. they learned litf. besides mischief And
yet 90 the annual school meeting not father
raised his voice I'm protest. but trembling little
woman who had never heard her voice in public
before was greeted by storm Of corrobOrative APP
plause when she had the courage TO tell about H.
And that principal retired from The profession
And how many faithful teachers unappre-
ciatad'
Wherever there are mothers and teachers there
should be conference iu regard 20 The culture OF the
most precious product Of our laud-the children
Ana then let these women seek the power OF the
ballot 10 make their ideas effective"