Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1902-03-13

One 81 the most potent reasons for
the poov showingofthe public schools
Of cur State, a. compared with many
Of the other States in the sisferhood,
and some much younger TOO than Is
our grand Commonwealth, i the
lack Of interest shown by parents in
sending their offspring to drink Of
the fountain Of knowledge generous
Iy extended to them by the State,
though at an enormous expense.
Now, II IT be to the interest of the
State to educate her children, fact
too long conceded to be true to be
contradicted at this enlightened pc
Rod, and to expend thousands OF
dollars yearly for that purpose, then
has she not right TO say and de-
mand, from a business standpoint,
If no other reason could beassigned,
the best results from her outlay?
When a parent has lovingly told
his child to refrain from an act, be-
cause 1t is wrong, and still that child
turns a deaf ear and continues in
dulging itself regardless of paternal
advice, the child having reached the
age of discretion, the next step of
the father will be TO exhort and in
treat the child 10 desist, but if all
such means fail toaccomplish the de-
sired end, then he seeks for more
severe means, and commands with
authority, and holds over him such
punishment as he and the laws OF
the land provide for such maIfeas-
ance.
If, therefore, it be right and prop
er for the parent OF the child to use
extreme means to bring into subjec-
ton his son, then why not give this
same power TO the State when she
has done all that fond parent can
do in the way of entreating and ex-
horting her children to pay more at
tentiOn to their intellectual and NOR
al development? And yet, many
there are, who, like the disobedient
son, think not of the sacrifices she
is making, grow up in ignorance and
vice.
What is the consequences of this,
and why matter il to the State?
For an answer we have to go no
further than our courts, prisons and
houses of reformation, which are
ever filed with this class of people.
The old adage will well apply to this
incident. An ounce of prevention
is worth pound of cure, as it is
much more economical for the State
to supply the means TO prevent
crime, such as public schools, than
to suppress same by maintaining the
courts and caring for the offenders.
Nov AZ the State has done all IN
her power to lessen ignorance and
vice by persuasion, and yet there
remain many who have not profited
by her kindness, there is only one
avenue now open TO her, and that is
to compel her refractory children to
reap the golden fruits of an educa-
ton.
/ am aware that there are many
obstacles in the way Of compulsory
education in the rural districts, but
none of them are so monotonous but
what they can be easily overcome,
and ] think our Legislature could
reap great laurels il they would be-
stir themselves in this line.
Many a jealous teacher has wasted
his energy fruitlessly because of the
lack of cooperation of parents inn
pressing upon their children the vi
tai importance of regular attendance.
But rather than assist the pedagogue
in this, they will detain the little
ones at home for the most trivial
things.
Can you imagine anything more
trying to the vim of teacher, after
he has used all his eloquence in ex-
planning a difficult task to a class
and fiatters himself they understand
same perfectly, and on q day or so
after TO verify his belief, he calls on
an individual of the class for some of
the reasons so forcibly set forth by
him the day or so previous, and he
receives for an answer, 81 was not
here when that lesson was recited. "
OF the many pitfalls along the road
OF public school success in our State,
| look upon the irregularity in at
tendance the most grave, and the
sooner this mountain be removed
the better for posterity. So / say
TO you Senator'S and Representatives
of the people, why sit you idle ?''
but look to yourselves to make a
name that generations to come will
call you blessed by compelling neg.
ligent parents and guardians to
see that their wards go to school
daily, and thereby educating many
one that without such law would
never be able to read and write leg
IDLY.
With good system of compulsory