Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1903-02-27
COmpulsiOn In Schools.
Communicated.

Communicated.
Ed. NEws:-While we are not in
favor of imposing much labor on child
rem under twelve years of age, especi-
ally in mines, factories, etc, we are un-
alterably opposed to any legislation
whatsoever, that turns them over TO
idleness. Our lawmakers should 90
slow in the enactment OF Inv that will
prohibit the employment of these child
rem in legitimate industries without
first providing something safe and
honest in which TO keep them employ
ed, and which, looking To the future,
shall be both profitable and improving
There is an old axiom which says,
"That an idle mans brain is the work
shop of the devil" this observation.
aided by a fair acknowledge, has,
since creations dawn, and all along the
disappearing centuries proved to be
true. Every day, to the discerning
mind is seen the evidence, that San
abundance OF idleness," leads to vice.
"And withal they learn To be idle,
wondering about from house TO house;
not only idle, but tattlers also, and
busy bodies, speaking things they
ought not" l Tim. BIB; the end Of
which is, "The idle soul IMAM shall
suffer hunger" Proverbs, 1915. If
this is true-and we think it cannot be
successfully controverted - of the
adult, how much more SO. and how emf
nent is the peril TO the child thus
turned out in idleness, and left, as too
many of them certainly will be, through
the thoughtless, careless neglect of
parents, or the necessity of giving, as
they must, in an augmented degree
results, it may be of hasty Legislation
their whole time, attention, and
strength, to unremitting toll for the
support of themselves and children.
Now then, let us reason together. In
stead Of the passage of Child Labor
bills, that shall bring heavy burdens,
it may be, TO many toiling widowed
mother, and, irremediable ruin to
hundreds, yea, thousands of bright and
innocent. children thus To be turned up
on the streets and highways, we again,
most respectfully, but with all the
earnestness of which we are capable
pray you, the guardians OF the state
whose highest efforts should be given
to her advancement upon the high
ways that lead to the loftiest achieve
ment in intelligence, prosperity and
honor, the accomplishment OF which
is only TO be attained through the up
lifting influence OF universal education
for her citizens, to invoke the power OF
the state to accomplish II result Sc
transcendent in Importance. All the
children should be brought into regular
attendance upon the schools, now sc
happily within their reach.
We may be an enthusiast, fanatic
even transcendentallist, if you please
on this subject, but let me assure you
that we are in good company. One
whose recent loss the whole State now
deplores, one upon whom the Who'll,
country freely conferred distinguished
honors, gave the last, the ripest labors
of a well spent life, in rendering use
full and brilliant service to the cause o
universal education. at was his creed
his doctrine, and great part of his re
ligion, that every child, the Iich anC
poor, white and black, native and for
! eign should receive the blessings of ed
ucation." DIR. Curry was not alone
scores Of the best, soundest thinker.
OF the day, and hundreds of the stur
diest, most patriotic citizens of tn,
state, are heartily in accord with thi.
now lamented, but scholarly friend o
education, and faithful minister O
Christ, the friend of the rising genera
tons of our beloved old state. Being
therefore, in such creditable company
, we are not ashamed, not afraid in OIL
humble way, to advocate universal ed
ucation by again conjuring our repre-
sentatves to solve the problem of Child
/ Labor by putting them all, every
where, rich and poor, of every color anc
condition. by the enactment Of a Com
pulsoIy Law, into the schools, until
say, IA years of age; always under
proper exceptions, and reasonable re
strictions as to environment.
More than thirty years of expensiy,
experience las clearly and conclusivel,
demonstrated the fact that the simp
: lest. the surest, the only practical way
giving any promise of success in curing
this defect of absenteeism, is by put
ting all, through the medium OF stat,
3 authority, into the public schools.