New-York tribune., 1906-05-07
ANOTHER THREE RS" IN SCHOOL

It is a noteworthy coincidence that just as the
dominant party in British politics is moving for
the elimination of eccIesiasticism and the ad-
vance of secularism in the common schools Of
England a strong interdenominational move
ment should be developed here for the intrOduc-
ton Of religious teaching into the public schools
of New York. We cannot ignore the authority
nor doubt the sincerity and benevOlence Of the
company Of clergymen who the other day dis
cussed this subject, and expressed themselves
strongly in favor of having, by state enactment,
one afternoon a week set apart for religious
instruction in the schools. Those gentlemen were
widely representative Of Jew and Gentle, Cath
olic and Protestant, Episcopal and Independent,
and we have no doubt that they represent, too,
a considerable and most respectable public SEN
timent There are many thoughtful men and
women who regard with apprehension the widely
prevailing and, they fear increasing irreverence,
lawlessness and, indeed. actual viciousness
among school children. and not a few of these
are inclined to seek a remedy in the introduc-
uon of religious teaching. AS one of the mem
bers of that conference neatly expressed it, there
seems to them need that the schools shall teach
not only the old three RS" of reading, riting
and 'rithmetic, but also the other three of rev.
erence, righteousness and responsibility.
There will be little dispute, we think, as to the
deslfablllty Of that end. The question is one of
the means by which It is to be attained. That
the boys-and girls. tOo-Of to-day are too often
irreverent in speech and manner, regardless of
the comforts and rights of others, and insubordi
nate against legitimate authority is painfully
apparent. We do not refer alone to such young
HOoligans as were arrested last week and
punished for criminal rowdylsm in elevated rail-
road trains, though, indeed, they and many more
like them are students In the public schools
But upon the better class residence streets and
in the parks may be found boys belonging to we'll
TO do and cultivated families who in their games
scream out all manner of profanities exult in
annoying passersby and exhibit defiance toward
law and order. Granted that much Of this is
pure thoughtlessness. ThOughtless habit uncor-
rected often becomes fixed and incorrigible. It
is not creditable that children should be permit
ted, even thoughtlessly, 90 commit such excesses.
It is not possible to view without grave concern
the possibility that such habits will endure in
maturer life.
hOme influences and parental discipline should
no doubt correct the evil. But they do not,
ana we are forced to the conclusion that in
many cases those are negligible factors if not
actually infinitesimal. Parents for the sake of
their own comfort, object to their children play
Ing the HOOligan In their own dooryards but
LET them go down the street and annov other
people without hindrance or reproof, while for
an outraged neighbOr 20 undertake the work of
correction or even TO complain Of the nuisance
is imperiously resented in the tone OF 'Afv child
can do no wrOng! Nor are there lacking those
among otherwise intelligent and reasonable men
and women who practically disclaim responsible
/ 10 fOE their cAildrens conduct, They send them