The Washington herald., 1912-03-26
DELAYS WARRANT
FOR BOYS TEACHER
Mother of Joseph Nalley, Who Re-
ceived Whipping, Still Deter.
mined to Prosecute Officers.

Although warrants have not yet been
sworn out for the arrest Of Mrs. Mar
garet N Bridges. teacher of the un-
graded class at the Gales School, and
Robert Boyle the janitor. on charges of
assault and batte.y, as the result OF the
case OF corporal punishment which was
brought before the public as the result
of a truancy hearing at the Juvenile
Court last week. Mrs. Anne Nalley, Of 605
II street northeast, mother of Joseph
Nalley. the victim OF the whipping. still
maintains that she intends taking such
action.
Mrs Nalley stated last night that there
was some misunderstanding as to the
procedure necessary to prosecute the
teacher and the janitor. She added that
she was determined to have the infictors
Of the whipping punished II possible.
1T will be impossible for me in per-
son to 90 TO the Police Court TO swear
out the warrants" sad Mrs. Nalley last
night, "as I am employed during the day.
But my sister. who is better acquainted
with the circumstances. will see that the
matter is brought before the district at
torney. The warrants will be sworn out
tomorrow morning. II nothing inter-
vcnes"
The sister is Mrs. Annie Eearns, also
Of COS II street northeast. Joseph Nalley
returned TO school yesterday morning.
There was no difficulty surrounding his
reinstatement. Tho youngster played
truant from school last Tuesday and
Wednesday. On Thursday he returned
to school. with the result that he was
whipped by Mrs. Bridges while the jani-
tor held him.
DR.. William NJ. Davidson, superinten-
dent of schools, said last night that the
matter is dismissed. as far as the schools
are concerned, unless the case is taken
before the courts for settlement.
Views on Punishment.
Many letters bearing on the subject
OF corporal punishment have been re-
celved by The Washington Herald be-
cause OF its exclusive account OF the
case.
Col. Charles c. Lancaster, president OF
the Northwest Suburban Citizens As
sociation. last night took issue with
Judge De Lacy.
f'whippings are good things" ssid Col
Lancaster. 1T is impossible to get dis
cipline out OF school children without
bringing the rod into play. The object
of the school is to help the children.
The way to help many OF the children
is TO thrash them when they become un-
manageable. Corporal punishment is a
good thing II not carried too far
Il firmly believe in beating in the
schools" said Albion X. Paris. president
of the Georgetown Citizens Association,
last night. Il remember vividly how
used TO get thrsshed. Yes. thrashings
are good things for youngsters when
they get unruly. But l believe in ad-
ministering the whip only when there is
sufficient cause ! don't think that
truancy is an onense which warrants
the whip"
A letter was received last night from
AN old teacher-the father OF six chill
dren who have passed through the pub
lie schools OF the District" lie requested
that the name be withheld.
Believes in ThrashinE.
1T is my conviction as a parent"
reads 4 PORTION OF the. letter. that It is
altogether more desirable that the ro-
bust youth of twelve or fourteen years
suffering from the effects Of the hockey
worm, OF the aiIurements OF the bali
game, should be soundly thrashed In
school as occasion may require, rather
than that he should find his way ints
court as a sort Of juvenile criminal, or
be assigned to school for the incor-
rigible and degraded, OF which kind ]
understand there are now six in the
District under the charge OF exception
al teachers
II am sure that the public and the
teachers are inhibited to DIR. Davidson
for the virile and yet moderate position
he has taken in support Of the school
teacher, end his courageous Endorsement
OF corporal punishment within due lin
its and conditions as a normal and nat
ural par of education"
This teacher suggests that ''an official
for the administ: alton II the rod" be
appoint Il to visit the various schools
and infic. the needed punishment.
THE parent who scores a teacher for
Furnishing his child" writes NJ. E.
Sloane. Of SEQ Nineteenth street north
west, does that child an irreparable in
jury. in n,iining him to be defiant OF all
authority. Which is better. for a child
to receive an old-faShiontd whipping, or
to be ousted for truancy and brought Into
court? Every one knows that court eS-
perience Is far mere damaging TO boy
than is corporal punishment, and 1t Is
likely to be less effective