The Greeley tribune., 1904-01-14
BAD
MATTER OF DISCIPLINE IN
SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES.
Educators See Signs of Danger in
the Growing Spirit of Rebel
lion Manifested Among
Their Students.

Educators in Weld county are some
what Jubilant over the action of
Judge Southard in appointing a pro-
baton officer to luok after school de-
linquents. The idea may also be
said to have originated with the
judge, for 1t was suggestion made
by him at meeting of the Weld
County Teachers association held
last fail that led the teachers to take
the matter up with the county COM
missioners, who last week agreed to
pay the salary of such an officer.
The teachers association at its meet
ing last fall even went so far as to rec
ommend L. Fl. Harrison for the post
and it was upon this recommended
tion that he was appointed last week.
The need OF more stringent laws
and rules tc control students, collec.
lively and individually, with unruly
tendencies, has been felt by educa-
tors for some time, but it was not
until within the past year or two
that anything like an effective effort
began to he made to remedy the evil.
One of the most important topics OF
discussion at all the different gath
erings of educators of Colorado in
the past year, has been the growing
rebellious tendencies of students,
from the higher institutions of learn
ing down to the lower grades in the
public schools. In line with this Is
the action of the Educational Council
OF Colorado in adopting set OF reso-
lutions at its last meeting held In
Denver, showing the spirit OF the
times and suggesting some simple
remedies that may prove of benefit
il carried out. Fhe opinion OF
members of the council that con-
ditions are somewhat alarming, is
based on occurrences Of which the
following. quoted from their res
olutions, are typical illustrations
81. The organization in all grades
OF schools from the elementary school
to the college, Of strikes, so called,
to compel those in authority to grant
vacations, lengthen recesses, discharge
or reinstate teachers, remit the pun
ishment of fellow students who are un
der discipline for committing serious
offences, thus ofteh paralyzing il
whole or in part the work of tht
schools.
''2 The treatment of school anC
parental authority with insolence ant
contempt when it is opposed 10 th'
carrying out of student ideas of ''fun'
or whims born of the mob spirit
20. Riotous conduct on the street
in public conveyances, theaters, public
halls and other public places in ute
disregard of the rights of Others ant
of the rentiements of demeanor tina
should characterize ladies and gentle
men, apparently under the assump
tion that membership In educatlona
institutions justities snoh conduct
;. -. Deliberate insults to teacher
and others in authority under cir
cumstances which, Ii tolerated. rem
de. it practically impossible to exer
else discipline or maintain authority
-. Glass contests which cripple
temporarily at least, the work OF tn
: school, and lead to the invasion
E ! private dwellings, the destruction
, public and private property, TINS en-
, taiilng not only pecuniary loss npol
the community but also irrepaIabl
, loss of time on students and teachers
50 Serious bodily injuries ami
even death, resulting from hazing
! fraternity limitations and class fights
~ The Subordination of every
thing else by students and to-
often by instructors TO the prepara
, ton for athletic contests, thus max
, ing business OF athletics to TIT
detriment of true ideals of sport. ,
As a help to a remedy the council
, asks the cooperation of parents will
, the teachers and that school boards
strengthen the hands of those il
{ direct charge of pupils. both by etfec
, tive legislation and the enforcement
of such legislation. The council
, also appeals to the press OF th'
country TO give fair and uncoloret
accounts of lawless and rebelliou
conduct on the part OF student:
and pupils, and not to represen
, them as martrys and heroes, or els'
!, to entirely ignore such occurrences
Last of all the council expresses it