Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1900-02-22

thing, Dlcyc'St6 Included ana lnasmuch aS
they have demurred at paying toll for the
privilege of taking good turnpikes in prefer
ence to rough country roads, we are of the
opinion that popular sentiment will not be
with them in the matter Of side paths.
They modestly say 1.-THE County Commits
sioners are authorized to assist In the work
in the same manner as in the construction of
roads" These side paths would likely be
used by pedestrians and woe to the luckless
foot passenger that got knocked over by q
bicyclist: the defense would be set up that
the side path was exclusively the property
of bicyclists; that the pedestrian was tres
pssser and the damages would 60 to the
wheelman If his wheel had been injured
though the pedestrian had had the life nearly
knocked out of him. Country bicycling is
largely for pleasure and the public highways
are for business primarily: we do not favor
the SIDE path, the average turnpike being
good enough for the purpose. 1t is all well
enough near to the larger cities, in parks
and along side of boulevards, but the exclu
sive side path along country roads is luxu.
ry somewhat In advance of the requirements
for the public good.
One of the most important bills Of the
present session of the Legislature is that
introduced by Mr.. Wat ers of this county,
providing for compulsory education of chill
dren. In speaking ofthe measure Mr.. Waters
says: 1.-THE time has come in Maryland when
we should have a compulsory system Of edu-
cation. Hundreds of children are allowed
to grow up In idleness, ignorance and vice,
when they should be in the schools. Their
parents don't Tor care not toy have a proper
control over them, and they grow up as
ignorant men and women; many times, per-
chance charge upon the community in
which they live on account of their lack of
common school education.
"Vice and crime are engendered and en-
couraged by lack of education, and 1t be.
comes necessary, for the welfare of the indi-
vidual, as we'll as the community, that he
should be educated. Maryland has provided
free schools and fee books. There is abso.
Iutely no excuse why all children should not
attend school, and when the children won't
60 and their parents can't or won't make
them go, the law should step in and compel
them, for their own as well as their country's
good.
The law should not be too drastic st first
1t may in some chance cases work a little
hard. New machinery when first set In
motion. rarely works smoothly. The law
when placed on the statute books will have
good effect, and there will be no need (or
not much, at least) to be very vigilant al
first. People, as rule, don't willtully dis
regard laws.
There is a provision in this bill providing
for night schools in Baltimore and Other
large cities in the State. This provision il
compulsory for the authorities, and not fol
the individuals. 1t provides for children
over fourteen years of age--those who have
to work during the day-and then at might
1t gives them an opportunity to educate
themselves further.
ut has been argued by few" Mr.. Waters
said. "that it is not in line with liberty and
freedom. This deny, as 1t interferes not a
bit with the enjoyment of all the liberties
and freedom with which our whole system
government is permeated Education will
teach the child Its greater duty to its country
for without being properly educated no one
can properly discharge their duties toward
their country; In word. true and good citi
zenship does not spring from ignorance"