The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1905-11-03

attempt at a reasonable enforcement OF
the law. The former should remember
that we have large area to cover and
that proper investigation requires a lit
tie time; the latter class should reccg-
nize the fact that all general laws bring
Inconvenience and sometimes even
seeming injustice IN individual cases.
But with careful planning these should
be reduced to very small number.
School boards in the grape" districts
should arrange to have school commence
the last Monday in September and con-
tinue without any vacation until grape
tying season, when two weeks vacation
would enable them to avail themselves
of the older childrens help; in potato
raising districts school should commence
the first of September and two weeks
vacation held the last of October, and in
this way much of the inconvenience will
be avoided
1t must always be held in mind, how
ever, that the education of the child is
the first consideration, and that no pa
trotic citizen who loves his children as
he ought, will advocate the shortening
of the school year, or the insertion of
many vacations. The law provides that
children above II, necessary to the sup
port of the family, may be exempted on
the recommendation of the school board.
Children under that age are of so little
assistance, except in few cases that can
readily be provided for as above suggest
ed, that no one could reasonably deny
them $50 days. mine months) schooling
during each year. Moreover, the average
child entering school at six, and none
should enter younger, if kept at school
regularly, finishes the eighth grade at
If and thus becomes exempt from the
provisions of this law. Many obtain
their diplomas at 2 and l3'and the ,av-
erage for the lO7 graduates this year was
.l4l2.
As have visited the parochial schools,
Lutheran and Adventist, and consulted
with those in charge of them, as well as
with those who have to do with the pub
lie schools, have been surprised at the
practical unanimity with which the
operation of the law is commended, and
it is gratifying to note the readiness Of
the farmers of the county to comply
with the law both in letter and spirit
indeed the majority of them have al
ways put school first IN their plans for
their children.
1t being quite probable that errors in
judgment, or through misunderstanding
truant officer, the teacher or the com-
missioner will occur, any fair criticisms
or suggestions as to the best method by
which we may give to every child a com
mon school education through the en-
forcement of this law with the least in
convenience to those concerned will be
gratefully received. But any criticism
so manifestly unfair as that appearing
in the Courier last week deserves but
little kindly consideration.
Mr.. Foster therein seeks to convey the
impression that his children have been
regular in attendance; that the few
absences were excusable under the law
and that he wishes to save the tax payer
money.
When the teacher reported the irregu-
larity of his children and others. the
truant officer was notified to go into that
part of the county and investigate all
cases in that vicinity. The officer found
that Mr.. Fosters children were then
absent and had been absent the day
before. He then went to the house and
found the children shocking walnuts,
and consequently served notice that they
must attend school regularly. At this
time, of the 81 days school, the school
was closed for Hamilton fair one of his
children had been absent four and one
half days, and the other, SIX and one-half
days, the latter more than one fifth of
the time. Is that regular attendance?
Last year these same boys were absent
u and 3G half days respectively; the year
before 36 and l34 half days respectively;
and the year before that, 1873 and 1919
half days respectively.
And yet, Mr.. Foster asks isit necessary
to send the truant officer to investigate
such gross negligence, seeks to convey
the impression that the absences were
excusable, when he knew that part of
them at least, were to attend horse races
and "shuck' walnuts, and also that the
number of absences were less than half
the actual number.
If he is really DESTROYS of saving ex.
pense he can do so, both for himself and
others, by sending his children to school
regularly, something he has never done
hitherto
If Mr. Foster were justified in keeping
his children out one fifth OF the time on
such silly pretences, or even to work on
the farm, what would not the day laborer,
with no other means of support than his
two hands, be justified in doing with
his children in the factories? And what