Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1904-02-10
is Our Present Compulsory Education
Law Satisfactory.

BY COUNTY surEnrNrpESr F. D. JOSEPH
Education, like every great move
ment, requires means of stimulus at
times and likewise, reins, to direct
its course.
Since the days when Roman and
Jew sat at the feet of Gamaliel the
principles of education have found
favor in the public mind to greater
OF less extent.
AT the present time men realize
that education involves more than
a mere means of livelihood. What.
ever may be the side step philoso-
pliers may take, regarding the meth
DDS used, they all eventually turn
to the primitive basis, that educa-
ton should fit man to discharge
his obligations to God and man
with the strictest justice.
Because man may have inherited
tendencies toward crime is no reason
why he may not be raised above the
conditions of his birth. The old
adage that what is bred in the
bone will come out in the flesh" is
meeting with less favor than in for
mer times. Men realize that the
grosser nature may be subjugated,
that by careful ethical training of
every vital power the human
mind is raised infinitely above the
plane where surrender to birth leg
acy would be possible.
In this age it may seem strange
to some that compulsory laws
should be found necessary, but a
glance at statistics may be helpful.
| think gou vii readily
that irregular and non-attenda dance
in our schools is due largely to par.
entail Indifference, lack Of suitable
books and clothing, disregard for
parental discipline. and the ineffi-
cheney Of the teacher. Each is
factor in cutting down the attend
ance Of our schools.
During the school year Of lS9S-99
the number Of pupils Of school
age in Iowa was 727,775. Of these
554,992 or only 76 per cent. were
actually enrolled. The average
daily attendance for the same period
was 1854, 400. This shows that but
90 per cent of Iowa's school children
were in regular attendance. In the
last annual report for Delaware Co,
we find the following interesting
figures: Number Of school age 5,9S9.
Number between the ages Of and
l4-3,273. Those subject to the
law because of age "a. Thus it will
be seen that our per cent of nom
attending pupils is very low. 1t is
natural to suppose that some Of
these may be excused by physical
Deficiencies thus cutting the per
cent to a low rate.
OF those not found in the schools
North Fork Township furnishes 40,
Union Township s, Delaware Town
ship 3, Hopkinton 81, Ryan Ia,
Malvin District 2.
By comparison Of statistics, we
find our average Of non-attending
pupils much lower in Delaware
County than in counties having
large cities. In many cases less
than one half of those enrolled are
regular attendants and in only one
county does the average exceed 1871,
While these statistics may be dry
| give them as proof that com
pulsory education law is necessary
even in Delaware County. Since il
literacy is a curse to nation and
destruction to popular government,
we should legislate to bring more
under the influence of our schools.
We believe that proper Legislation
will increase our actual attendance
and reclaim thousands now growing
up in immortality, to blight homes
and hinder the prosperity Of our
country.
This brings me to the real subject
for discussion. SIS Our Present
Compulsory Education Law Salts
factory?" Such sweeping questions
require much careful consideration.
A two year period Of the working
of laws SO far reaching iii their ef-
feet, is hardly time to test its entire
efficiency OF ineficiency. Then,
too, the point from which
judgment is passed, will determine
the degree to which it is satisfying.
| believe it to be step
in the right direction. Nearly
every state has some such law, Iowa
being among the last to follow in
the path Of improvement. England
compels all her children to be in
some school, Germany, which
reigns supreme in the field of edu-
cation, compels her youths to pur-
sue course from the age of six to
fourteen and her law is so strict and
so rigidly enforced, few escape it's
clutches. This law also provides
that children from fourteen to six
teen shall, unless otherwise employ
ed, attend some school. This does
away with habitual loafng-the
cause Of many downfall.
In America, a law does not feel
the weight Of an emperor's hand as