The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1902-10-14
COMPULSORY EDUCATION LAW
WILL BE ENFORCED.
County Superintendent Asked to
Furnish Names Of Deriiicfs-Law
on the Subject.

A~J0 ~6O ~ was PAOAAoAANO
that the state superintendent Of pub.
lie instruction had made up his mind
to make a determined effort in the
direction of securing enforcement of
the compulsory education law and II
possible make effective it's provisions.
In accordance with this decision he
has sent a circular letter to the differ
ent county superintendent of the
state in which he asks them to assist
him all possible in their power.
A copy of the letter has been re-
ceived by Mrs. Strang, superintendent
of Yellowstone county. 1t says:
"You remember that during last
year we very earnestly asked that
an effort be made to aid us in the en-
forcement of the compulsory educa-
tional law. l appreciate your efforts
fully, but must insist that, in order
to properly protect the interests Ct
many innocent children, whose edu-
cation is being shamefully neglected,
that you join me in an uncompromis-
ing warfare against persons directly
or indirectly responsible for such neg
lect.
"Please furnish this office with the
names of all clerks and trustees who
have failed to- comply with sections
1922 and 1928 of the political code.
In case that the clerks and trustees
have complied with the above sec
tons, you will please furnish us with
the m of the children who are
not in attendance at school, and we
will call the attention of the county at
torney of your county to such viola
lions of the law and try to ascertain
to what extent the present law may
be enforced.
"In order that the clerks and trus-
tees may fully understand what this
law is, we suggest that you send to
each clerk and trustee a copy of the
following section, viz:
The Law Quoted.
"'Section 1920. Every parent,
guardian or other person in the state
of Montana, having control OF any
child or children between the ages
of eight and fourteen years. shall be
required to send such child or chill
dren to a public school, or private
school taught by a competent instruc-
ter, for a period Of at least - weeks
in each year, six weeks of which time
shall be consecutive
provided, That such parent,
guardian or other person having 0 n
troll of such child or children shall be
excused from such duty by the school
board of the district whenever it shall
be shown to their satisfaction, subject
to appeal as, provided by law, that one
of the following reasons exists there
fore, to-wit:
First. That such child is taught
at home by a competent instructor
in such branches as are usually
taught in the public schools.
Second. That such. child has al
ready acquired the branches of learn
ing taught in the public schools.
".Thisd. That such parent, guard
ian or other person is not able, by rea
son Of poverty, to properly clothe
such child.
Fourth. That such child is in
such a physical or mental condition
Gas declared by a competent physi-
clan, if required by the board) to rem
der such attendance inexpedient or
imlracticable.
Fifth. That there is no school
taught the requisite length of time
within two and ope-half miles Of the
residence of such child by the near
est travelled road; Provided, that no
child shall be refused admission to
any public school on account of race
or color"
Section 1921 provides for the fine to
be imposed in case of conviction under
section 1920. The offense is made a
misdemeancr and is punishable by a
fine of not less than IS nor more than
$25, for each conviction.
Section 1922 makes it the duty of
each clerk of a school district to
furnish to the trustees of his district,
not later than 20 days after the COM
mencement Of each school term, with
a list of all the children between the
ages of s and IA years in attendance
at school. Failure to do SO is made a
misdemean0r punishable by a fine of
not less than IS nor mor than $25
for each offense.
The succeeding section makes it
the duty Of the trustees to inquire into
all cases of neglect of duty prescribed
in the title of the act and to ascertain
from the persons neglecting, the rea-