Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-03-02
IT AND NOTIONS.

rs We are committed TO the principle on
general principles. The faculties of not a
few colleges have tried to make the stu
dents responsible for their own conduct by
treating them as citizens Of small DEM
ocracies. In some cases the experiment
failed utterly: in others it has had more or
less success. Probably it would not be diff
ficult for an outsider of common sense to
see the cause of the failure in most cases.
One factor which is commonly left out Of
sight is that success and failure are rela-
tive terms. and that no sort of government
has proven itself perfection. Just now 1t is
Principal SpauldinE. of Montclair. n. j..
who Is introducing the principle of DEM
ocracy into the high school OF that town.
For the first year the experiment is report
ed to be successful.
In the midst of all the noise about the
rights of women. a voice is raised-not still
or smalI-in the legislature of California
in behalf of the rights of man. 1t is in
the shape of a hill making the wife liable
for her husbands debts. 1t is intolerably
hum:liating for a man to have to ask his
wife for a quarter every time he wants to
take 4 drink. Humanity cries out against
il. and if the lawmakers of California have
any sympathy for the wrongs of their fell
lowmen they will pass the bill. When a
millionaire's daughter marries a count. of
course it is part of the bargain that She
shall pay his bills. But we have not yet
adopted the notion for domestic purposes.
The consolidation of Sparsely settled
school districts and the transportation of
children to remoter schools is Il problem not
10y any means limited to the Western
states. Even in the Empire state there are
over S,ID districts in which the attend
ance is ten or less. There. too. the ex-
traragance of maintaining schools in such
districts is evident. and a process OF con-
solidation is going on. Just what is equit-
able for the children of the abandoned dis
trict is not so clear. But it seems 10 be
conceded that they shall be furnished re-
duced or free transportation. Even in
Queensboroush 700 children are new bein;
i given free transportation 10 the high
schools. which We're located at too great &
distance under the recent reorganization.
From free education it Is easy to step
over to free living. Free schooling. free
transportation, free textbooks, free lunch
cs. free shoes and stockings. free lodgings.
VIII you go the whole line? Where viii
YOU stop: If you take the whole pro-
gramme you are nearly back 20 the Spar
tan system; will you add the last feature.
and kill off all the unfit and the weaklinSS"
But II The state is going 10 support all
who feel too poor. whence is to come the
independence that Is cultivated by s,rng-
sic; whence the titteSt to survive? The
only way to avoid pauperizing some is 10
insist on treating all alike and having the
children live in That is a long
step toward communism. But isn't il pos
sible 10 stop with fire.. teXtbookSo
The american board of commissioners
for foreign missions still finds the outlook
very dark. After the special appeal OF
last year they are obliged to report AZ
| the expiration OF the first third of the rev
year that their income is s50.HN behind
that OF the same period a year ago. II
may he that the spread of general tolsra-
ton encouraged by the parliament of re-
liGions is in part responsible fo- this. To
many people it was then first revealed
that the darkness in which the heather,
are plunged is in some cases quite lumiu-
Gus. The cal! 70 save from eternal per-
dition seemed much more imperative than
a call simply 20 offer for something good
something better. Besides. We are oCcu-
pied just now in civilizing the heather by
| another method.
They have been having a little tempest
in the teapot OF the Chicago College OF
Physicians and Surgeons. This Is a CO.
educatlona! institution. but the young men
have rot become wholly reconciled to the
presence OF women in the classes. There
fore 'hsy applauded recently when DR..
Wissin voiced the elegant sentim"n, tina,
women are two-lessed. Gyspvptic owls"
The Young women. who have had 10 put
up with 4 good deal of this sor, Of thing.
protested and appealed. As a result. and
greatly 70 the credit OF the college. II.
Wisein has been retired. During the hear
ing the gallant youths stood by their lido!
and expressed their sympathy by sundry
INV iha.A- AS.-ss "+tANA '--I IAJ
help his case. lie remains suspended.
Father A. p. DOYLE. leader OF the Paui;st
Fathers. and one OF The most active pastors
in New York. questions whether Bishop
Potter and his friends really take seriously
the notion OF "samctifyins the saloon"
Father Doyle asks whether they propose
10 open and close TIE days sales with
prayer. or speak 4 formula Of grace before
and after drink. or 10 furnish an automatic
back spring fer the conscience Of the deal
or? Father Doyle has a deal OF acduaint-
ance with the saloon and its workings, and
he says there is hut ore way 10 look at
II: the saloon is an eHcrescence on the
social body. and should be treated as a
physician treats an ulcer. Father Doyle
says they started a saloon in Chicago once