The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1900-02-24
Communicated
A PUBLIC ANSWER TO A PUBLIC
QUESTION.
Editor Banner-pemocrat:--

Editor acknowledgements
Dear Sir:--In your Issue of the 18th
inst appears the following criticism.
which is presumed to be addressed to
the principal of the high school The
small boy has had his time taken up
with marbles for sometime, and soon
it will be tops aud kites. We are told
that thew are not allowed to play out
at school for keeps as this is gambling.
Now don't you think this is carrying
such thing as this a little too far. ="
Very respectfully but very firmly no.
Just far enough but not too far"
The game of keeps in itself, may be
harmless; but nevertheless it is gamb-
ling on small scale. In its true
sense. a game of keeps. where marble
is at stake. is gambling, just as truly
as game of cards where hundred
dollars is at stake. The one is a game
for small boys. the other game for
men. But as surely as the small boy
lives he will grow up to be man. and
if encouraged to cultivate the gambling
spirit is there not danger that he will
take up the mans gamep Surely the
editor of tho Democrat will not con-
tend that the game in question does
not cultivate the gambling spirit.
Playing keeps in boyhood Is laying the
foundation for serious gambling in
manhood. 1t fosters the disposition to
want to get something for nothing.
AT school the boys character is being
formed There he is learning the prin.
ciples that will guide his life in man.
hood. Can we be too careful in incul.
eating principles that are right? l.
there danger that We may go too far
| in this direction?
A leak no larger than "marble, {" ir
time will sink the most gallant ship
that swims the ocean. One broker
rail unheeded willwreck a train. One
false brick may cause the grAndest edl
| flee to totter 10 ruins. And so 1t Ii
with character. One small fault ne.
| elected may ruin character otherwise
perfect.
The principal of the school does no
object to Just criticism when made In
spirit of kindness. And he has nj
doub bit that the above criticism was made
in all Kindness. But he begs leave t.
say that he thinks it unjust. And t.
him it would seem best also, that sucl
criticism should be offered privatel.
and IN the nature of advice.
The success of the school depend
almost wholly upon Its discipline
And discipline depends largely upo'
the confidence of pupils in their teacher
and upon their regard for him. lfput
lie criticism has any effect at all it vii
be towards weakening the Influence
the teacher. Its tendency is to sow
spirit of discomfort. and of rebellio
among the pupils. The duties of In
principal are onerous enough and diff
, cult enough without being augmente
BY hostile public criticism.
In forbidding The game OF keeps
may be possible that an error wa
{ made, but if so. it WAS an error on Tn
side of right. 1t may be conceded ths
the question is debatable and even the
: the mana cement of the school is ent
tied to the support of public sen,imen
Z for upon the support and cooperate
Of the public its success is dependen
? And when once assured that he lack
e that support the present principal WI
be ready to surrender his position
some one who will be able TO comman
! Int. i.
The writer regrets that his course
: forbidding keeps. has not the approvi
+ of the Democrat. For the editor
a that paper he has the highest esteel
b and would like TO have his supper
? both privately ard through the co
I umns of the Democrat. And it
p hoped that the reasons here gwen wi
be sufficient to gain for him the editor
approval None of us are always
: the right and very few of us would
d willing to confess to beng as dogmat
T as the old French lady who once r
/ marked: SISTER. don't know how
e happens, but somehow | never me-
n any body except myself who is alwa,
g in the right" Now Mr.. Editor plea'
o reflect "a little and then tell US. we
!, YOU in the right?
Very respectfully.
ROBT. ROBERTS.