Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1901-03-14
Corporal Punishment in Our SCHOOLS,

Mr.. EDIToR:-
lnasmuch as there has been
considerable commotion in our midst con-
cerning case OF corporal punishment in
our central school, and as many believe
gross injustice has been done by exagger-
ated reports, dispassionate statement of
actual facts would seem to be desirable.
me principal OF our school has been &C
cuseu IN writing OF committing one or two
assaults IN her school room upon boy Is
years OF age, whom she is said TO have
singled out to vent her spite upon because
ne was poor and had no friends To- stand
up for him. She is said, moreover. to have
punished him when others equally guilty
were allowed to escape. A report has
gone abroad to the effect that the punish
ment was cruel and unmereiful in the ex-
treme and inflicted through malice or in
an ungoyernable fit OF temper.
Miss Eastman's exalted Christian char
acter has been recognized by her many
friends in Royalton, who know that she is
incapable OF being Influenced by unwor-
tiny motives. They know that her life is
governed by rigid moral principles and
that she Is ever prompt to do her duty as
she sees II, regardless of consequences to
herself, even to the sacrifice OF popularity
and the creation Of prejudice. They know
that she is always self-possessed, never
acting on hasty impulse or temper and
that she is incapable OF furnishing pupil
from vlndictlveness or hatred, and they
know that when she corrected this boy she
did so because she believed it was the
right thing to do, both for his own good
and the discipline OF the school. There
can be no doubt but that she believes her
method OF infiicting corporal punishment
to be the one approved OF by expert disci-
plinarians and boards of instructors every
where, and that she never has intended to
infiict II with undue severity. Many ex-
aggerated statements have been made con-
corning the instrument used in the chas-
tisement, but though shown to the magis-
trate no mention is made OF it in his letter
OF complaint. Those of us who have seen
Tor felt) the old-fashioned hard wood fer
rule applied to the palm OF the hand ten or
dozen strokes in succession, will find
hard work to believe that four or five
strokes with a thin leather strap across
the muscle OF the forearm could be other
wise than salutsry in case where corpor-
al punishment was needed.
People may differ as to the necessity of
corporal punishment, but in the opinion
of many II our teachers are TO be disarmed
of the power TO compel obedience, our ed
vocational system win be seriously crippled.
The idea OF an agreeable punishment is
of course an absurdity. II il the purpose
OF punishment TO produce pain, either
mental or physical, as a means OF correc-
tion OF discipline, but it should not be I'M
duly severe.
We feel sure that Miss Eastman can re-
flute all charges as TO the nature OF her
method OF chastisement.
Many can testify to the kindly interest
she has ever manifested In this boy, and
the idea OF her having spite against him
is 10 be secuted.
Miss Eastman is our school superinten-
dent as well as principal of Royalton acad-
envy. Having been concerned as a mem
Der OF the school board in her appointment
to these positions, il seems but proper
that should defend her from unjust as
pensions.
DIR. w. l.. PAINE.