The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-05-03
Such BackWOOdS Modes of Pun
ishment Worse Than Useless.
MATTER is DISCUSSED
BY the School Board Last Night
But Not Settled.
ChiId's Clothes "Taken Down"
While 1t is ThraShed.
Such a Performance is Disgust
ing, Not to Say Brutal.

The Topeka board of education in its
regular monthly meeting last evening
at the board rooms in the high school
building, discussed the question of
corporal punishment in the city schools.
Mr.. Edward Wilder opened the discus
sion by saying: Il think 1 am sure that
L got through my schooling without
having the rod applied to me at school,
1t is question in my mind if it is right
to allow corporal punishment in the
schools"
Supt. Davidson was asked what his
rules to the teachers WERE He said:
AT the beginning of every school year
nave a meeting of the teachers and
such rules as are necessary are given
then we have considered it best to
require that where a pupil is dishonest
and needs discipline, that the principal
shal be present when the punishment is
administered. That throws around it
a safeguard against exaggeration and
further trouble. The exception is made
where prompt aciiCr for serious insub-
ordination is necessary"
The question was brought I'D by the
presence of Mrs. Henry Laptad, who
made a complaint before the board for
the whipping OF her little S-year-old
granddaughter at Harrison school two
weeks ago. Board members were Wis
tied previous to the meeting but the
formal complaint was made last night.
Mrs. Laptad said: about two weeks
ago my little granddaughter was,
whipped at Harrison school by Mrs.
Sturgis, for Singing some water into
Principal Fosters little girls face. The
teacher took her clothing down and
whipped her with a hard wood ruler.
The child was greatly frightened and
her body was severely bruised. You
need not depend on my word in the
matter, but can prove everything I
have said. I don't think such teachers
should be allowed to teach in the
William Macferran-"Mrs. Sturgis
whipped her?"
Mrs. Laptad-"Yes, but the little girl
whipped her twice.
Rev. NJ. c. Long-''I think this mat
ter ought to be investigated. I don't
think such reports ought to come from
our schools. If these teachers practice
this it is time a stop was being put to
it"
The matter was referred to the teach
ers' committee to investigate and report
at the next meeting.
Principal john L. Williams, of the
the following letter of resignation,
which was read to the board:
Topeka, Kansas, May 2, 1898.
Mr.. w. NJ. Davidson. Supt. City Schools.
My Dear Sir:-I have this day re-
ceived your circular letter, addressed
to me in common with teachers and
principals of the Topeka schools, ask
my present position for the ensuing
school year. Replying thereto, permit
me to say that 1 have been elected to
the principalship of the schools at Nor
gan Park, Illinois, with the privilege
of spending part of my time at the uni
versity of Chicago for the purpose of
doing advanced work, leading to a doc
tors degree in mathematics and phys
les.
Owing to the fact that I have accept
ed this position I shall not he an appIi-
cant for reelection to my present po-
sition.
Throughout my term of service as
principal of Harrison school and the
high school, under your supervision, our
relations have been most cordial; and
to your timely criticism and helpful
suggestions is due whatever measure of
success 1 may have had in my work.
(Signed JOHN L. WILLIAMS.
The following resolution was introduced
by Mr.: Wilder and unanimously adopted:
Resolved, That in accepting advice from
Prof. John L. Williams, principal of the
appointment because of his having
cepted the principalship of the schools of
Morgan Park. Ill, we desire to place up
on record our appreciation of his faithful
services during the eight years of his con-
nection with our schools, and express to
him our sincere wishes for a successful
and honorable career in his new field Of
usefulness.
A surprise was sprung by the teachers
committee when Mr.. S. c. Miller arose
that Prof. L. D. Whittemore of Wash
burn college be elected principal of the
high school for the ensuing year, at
Someone asked if he would accept. su-
ers' committee anticipated the vacancy
and 1 was sent to ask Prof. Whttemore
if he would accept He asked for little
time. This evening he informed me that
if elected he would accept the position
President Priddy put the vote, and Prof.
principal of the high school.
Judge L. 5. Ferry took his seat as mem
Der of the board from the Fourth ward.
Immediately put on the teachers commit
tee and also on the bond issue committee
which is to arrange with the state for the
refunding bond on outlying school dis
tricts.
City Treasurer Chas. S. ElIiott's month
~ report to the board was as follows:
Deposits in bank .S32, 549 90
Fiscal agency On W ...-......-...- -6S
Received from county treasurer. 10000
Received from tuition ..-...-....... 1870
Received from bank interest 49,. $3.50
Interest and sinking fund.-:
Received from county treasurer " 10000
Total .....................S6.272 81
The salary bill for the month was allow
ed as follows:
Superintendent. clerk. stenographer 1870
Janitors salaries .-....----..-.-..-.-. 61a00
Total .SS.71s95
County Superintendent Stout was given
the use Of the room in the high school
teachers institute. He will be required
to pay $40 for it, and the board will fur
Roll Nichols asked permission to build
nine inch stone wall on the board of edu-
cation lots on North Kansas ave adjacent
to his lots. He was given permission on
condition that if the lots we're sold his
lease would be terminated unless he made
satisfactory arrangement with the pur-
chaser.
w. H; Wilson. chairman of the building