The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-01-13
SATURDAY. JANUARY 10, 1906.
There are two freedoms-the false,
where man is free to do what he
likes; the true, where man Is free
to do what he ought.
Compulsory Education.

Compulsory Education.
There is said TO be muchScpposition on
the part OF members of the General AS
Eembly to compulsory school attendance.
We are told that the race question is the
chief stumbling block; that II compulsory
apply also to the blacks, and that If the
system be adopted and made to apply to
both races. the school population will be
vastly Increased, which means vastly. in
creased appropriations for schools. r. IT.
If this argument has any force it means
that on tho score Of economy it is not
desirable that All tie children in the State
attend school. that It is not desirable,
indeed. that acnool attendance be in
creased. il means that Ii all the children
in the state should determine to attend
EchooI Virginia would aot rs able to sup
ply the means. ls any objector pre-
pared to take that position? Here we
are devlsng All means possible 10 increase
the attendance upon the public schools
yet gentlemen oppose compulsory attend
ance on the score of expense. 1t is bum
combe, gentlemen, pure buncombe.
But some argue that while it would be
well to have all the white children attend
school, 1t is not desirable that all the
negro children should do so. If that be
true, it is not desirable that any negro
children attend school, and all schools
for the negro race should be closed.
The whole argument Is absurd on Its face
and utterly untenablc. If education is
good for one, it is good for all. If 1t is
good for one race, it is good for another
race. If 1t is desirable that some of the
children should be educated, 1t is de-
sirable that all the children should be
educated, and the plea that the State
is not able TO supply the means of educa-
ton for all her children is contemplate.
Aianifestly 1t does not represent the domi-
nant sentiment OF Virginia. The people
have shown their willingness to tax them
selves in order that all the children may
have an opportunity of gaining q COM
mon school education. AS for the negro
Insure their attendance. They are, for
Tho most part, going to school. while
many white children are kept at work.
sThat is the pity of it; that is the danger
of it. Are we willing that the negro
fschildren shall be better educated than the
white children?
Most of the DIRECTORS fairly foam at the
mouth when they talk OF the rights of
parents and the arrogance of the State
s in undertaking 10 say what a man shall
do with his own child. But, in the name
Tof God and humanity, have the children
no rights? Has misery father the
right TO sacrifice his child to his own
cupidity? You gentlemen who talk about
the rights of parents, do you think you
have the right to deprive your child OF the
opportunity to get an education? That
you have the right to condemn your child
to everlasting ignorance? Oh. but you
say, you do not need any law to make
you send your child to school. Quite So.
The law is not made 10 discipline the
righteous compulsory school attend
ance law would not worry those parents
who are willing to do their duty by their
children. but should there not be law
for those who are not?
We believe that Governor Montague has
hit upon happy solution of this entire
question. In his message to the Legisla-
lure he says;
''IF, HOWEVER, THE GENERAL AS
SEMBLY is UNWILLING TO TAKE,
THIS STEP FOR THE WHOLE STATE.
i EARNESTLY RECOMMEND YOUR
HONORABLE BODY TO EMPOWER
ANY COUNTY OR CITY OF THE
+ STATE WITI THE OPTION or Es-
TABLIsH1NG COMPULSORY ATTEND
ANCE."
That Is local option. and local option
4 is fundamental Democratic doctrine. Let
any county or city which wishes to try
this plan have the option of doing so. II
tried IN some OF the counties and cities
and proven TO be advantageous, 1t VIII
then spread over tho whole state.
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