Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1906-12-14
Compulsory Attendance.


an hiNNAhNA ~ hAAa HNahN Va tAN VIZ
eussion that my "iair or rustic" critics
have not one time attempted to establish
or make an argument that this propO-
sllion was American" in lis conception
or that Il was consistent with the prin.
ciples of free government, or that its
enactment would not be an invasion of
the private home and liber les of the
Preside, they have not attempted to deny
that the mothers aud fathers or guardi-
ans were better qualified to know the
necessities Of their charges than the
State could possibly be, in fact as yet
no one has attempted to discuss the
question on the affirmative, on the line
Gifts legitimate bearings, possibly, the
ad yoeates Of "Compulsion' realize, with
me, that their position is perfectly un-
tenable aud that the position take is
impregnabIe. The argument stands ut
present on that side, thus Ignoring
every position that Rambler" has taken
in opposition, knowing family living
near school and church that attended
neither, therefore they must be made TO
attend by law, that "Rambler" was so
far behind the times and antiquated
that moss had grown on his back, that
"Compulsion" was needed to take chill
dren from the pillow and out of the
kitchen and placed in school without the
parents consent that the fathers and
mothers in Tennessee are ignorant and
that their interest in their children is
not sufficient and therefore the state
must provide them with that sulliciency,
knowledge come by training aud that
training is obtained in the school room,
etc, etc., etc, etc. Well, | presume
everything that have contended for is
acknowledged and that my friends are
sde-tracking merely as a diversion.
Side-tracking, then mote it be, | shall
side-track with them and not let my
critics have all the pleasure that is in
it. wish to enter defense of the
fathers and mothers of Tennessee who
sadly suffer at the suggestion of claw
kns Boy" when he says, "Not only is
this law needed for the sake of children
who desire to go to school, and are kept
at the pillow handle or in the kitchen,
and for children who are too young to
realize their own interest, but to raise
the standard of citizenship by decreasing
the per cent of illiteracy." and this by
one of those "selfsame fessors," who to
the small boy o. girl is always thought
to know everything. Does "Hawkin,
Boy mean to imply that the parents of
the children who desire to go to school
are so thoughtless of their childrens
welfare so inca pacitated to look after
their interest, so heartess as to con
stantly keep them behind "the pillow OF
in the kitchen" when it is to the tamily's
best interest for them to be elsewhere,
so derelict in their duty to their cwn
dear flesh and blood, as to render it the
duty of the state to intercede and by
force dictate the family policy toward
their children. That is what you say
THIS indeed is a sad reflection upon the
intelligence, and moral responsibility
and goodness of the fathers and mothers
of Tennessee. But hear himl "Compul
sion is needed for those who are toe
young to realize their own interest.
The parent is not in it evidently in the
eyes of Hawkins Boy" until you seek
for condition of illiteracy, then you
find that condition among the parents
of our state as he says that "Compul
sion" is also needed, "to raise the stand
ard of citize nship by decreasing the pei
cent of litter acy" eve mus remem-
Der that a large number of our parents
in Tennessee are uneducated and have
not sufficient zeal along educational
lines" Who is it that has sufficient
2 cal along educational lines? The echo
answers "That selfsame fessor of your
community" who is seeking the patron.
age of the dear old parents of Tennessee
"Hawkins Boys" position is right high
sounding to the minimizing, and would
be dandy argument if it was only
true. am going to take issue with
"Hawkins Boy" right here, Gust as a
diversion" and l want you to follow me
kind reader.
The voter of Tennessee has certainly
made record in exhibiting zeal upon
educational lines. In 1908 Tennessee
spent more on her schools than the
Northern States of Maine, New Hamp.
shire. Rhode Island and Delaware and