Graham guardian., 1899-09-01
COMPULSORY SCHOOL LAW.
AS Enacted by tho Twentieth Legislature
of Arizona.


of Arizona.
As the opening of our schools
is drawing very near we publish
below an amendment to the school
laws as passed by the last legisla-
ture. 1t should be carefully read
by.all persons having control of
children of school age, also the
officers whose duty it is to enforce
the law, as they will be held to a
strict accountability for the en-
forcement of its provisions.
Sec. l. Every parent, guardian
or other person in the Territory of
Arizona, having control of any
child or children between the ages
of eight and fourteen years, shall
be required to send such child or
children to a public school, or
private school taught by a com
petent instructor, for period of
at least twelve weeks in each year,
six weeks of which time shall be
consecutive; provided, that such
parent, guardian or other person
having control of such child or
children shall be excused from such
duty by the school board of the
district whenever it shall be shown
to it's satisfaction that one of the
following reasons exists therefor,
to-wit:
1st. That such child is taught al
home by u competent instructor In
such branches as are usually
taught In public schools.
End. That such child has al
ready acquired the branches OF
learning taught in the public
schools.
3rd. That such parent, guardian
or other person is not able by
reason of poverty to properly cloth
such child.
9th. That such child is in such
physical or mental condition Gas
declared by competent physician,
if required by the board) to render
such attendance inexpedient or
impracticable.
9Th. That there is no school
taught the requisite length of time
within two and one.half miles of
the residence of such child by the
nearest travelled road; provided,
that no child shall be refused ad-
mission to any public school on
account of race or color.
Sec. 2 Any parent, guardian or
other person failing to comply
with the provisions Of Section | of
this Act, shall be deemed guilty of
misdem eanor, and upon convic-
don be fined 10 sum not less than
five and not more than twenty five
dollars for such offense.
Sec. 3. 1t shall be the duty of
tho clerk of each school district,
not later than twenty days after
the commencement of each school
term, to furnish a deputy sheriff,
constable, city marshal or other
peace officer with list of names
of all children between eight and
fourteen years of age not in at
tendance at school; and any dis
trict clerk failing to furnish such
list within the time specified here
in shall be guilty Of misdemean
or and liable to a fine in any sum
not to exceed ten dollars for each
offense.
Sec. A. 1t shall be the duty Of
the said sheriff, constable, city
marshall or other peace officer Of
precinct in which said school dis
trict is located to inquire into all
such cases of neglect of the duties
prescribed in this Act and ascer,
tain from the person neglectipg
the reason, if any therefor; and if
there be no legal excuse shown
shall forthwith proceed to secure
the prosecution of any offense oc-
curing under this Act; and any
deputy sheriff, constable, city mar
shal or other peace officer neglect
ing to secure the prosecution of
such offense, within ten days after
receiving the list mentioned in
Section 8, unless the person so
complainedrof shall be excused by
the Board of Trustees for the reas
ons hereinbefore stated, shall be
deemed guilty of misdemeanor
and liable to fine in any sum not
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