The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1913-05-16
THE MERRY DANCE.

Key. Adams, of Calumet. formerly
stationed at lsnpemne, is not in agree.
! n'nt IN regard 10 the question of
/ dancing in the public schools with
many other clergymen OF infinitely
. NOR" experience than he in sociological
work and the announcement of ciyi,
J morality. He has treated Of this sub.
J-et cNhaustiycly in a sermon in which
( The school authorities arc placed under
burden OF criticism because they
HtEe sanctioned school dances.
h't while Rev Adams would prevent
. The schools from in any manner h.iug
.d~rti.ird with dan, ing. there are. IA
( VIE nav said many clergymen of an
/ denominations. experienced in socin.
/ logical work and possessed of the idea
mat for every social evil there must be-
Supplied Constructive remedy. who
urge that there shall boz not fewer hui
n"'' dances ia Tho public schools
Ia'-' dances. they say should hr
-I.'n MOI for students alone. but for
..' general public as well. AS part nr
Pr" social center activities now being
..,.'rI"U'd u the schools.
IH"I" VIII br. of course. essential
cm"ot with Rev. Adams rhara,.
."l.<tlI'u u lie pu",," ana unspon-
-'F'd dane" ass source OF corruption
"i ia" uuu- men as means of send
hs man Young persons. uf both sexes
'i' WRONG Way Even iu the smaller
towns. whore the public dance is no,
accompanied Bog the promiscuous sale
'' liquors the moral tone of the pub
ie dance han is low, and it's influence
tends 20 ia" breaking down Of char
.prt,r
but ih" Young Of the world, and tho
".d, too have always danced. and all
WAYS viii dance. Even the religious
prohibition IN this form OF social
'was"mrut formerly imposed by Rev.
ADAMS denomination has broken down
'ha this 10 such an extent that it has
been proposed formally to abrogate il.
i'"E. Adams congregation surely con-
ia.ns large representation of dancers
'A" can see no harm inherent in the
ann scmcnt
Ihus the question arises whether
Re- Adams is not spending his ener-
gle along the wrong line. He can't
stop dancing. His homiHes on the sub
Jret viii even be- unavailing material
iy to decrease the amount of it that is
arrIed ON II is even To he doubted
whether Dee can, in any manner. innu-
'nce the school trustees of Calumet r.
Interfere with dancing in the schools.
for the public's viewpoint on this sub
le't is broader than Rev Adams and |
The practice of holding high school
lanoes under proper chaperonage is |
approved.
Wouldn't IL Doe far better if Rev.
Adams and the men inclined To follow |
bis lead in this matter would concern |
themselves with its constructive phase,
The way To weau young persons away |
rom dangerous amusempnts. or resorts |
Nh"re conditions leave much 10 be de- |
sired, is 90 suppl, some alternative en-.
iertainment that viii claim. and hold |
their attention in surroundings III |
which n" harm can come To- them. The !
most effective way in the world 20 |
combat the vicious public dance would |
b" to provide public dances. at mod
.la'e eNpens" where the proprietics |
would be- insisted on hut where there |
would be no unnecessary restriction ~ |
he individual.
II this view IS correct. and II has the |
endorsement Of an authoritative social |
workers, men like Dean Sumner. Of
lhlcago, what is needed is not fewer !
iances in the schools, but more dances. |
when our schools have reached thei- |
greatest development they will be
largely tiven up 10 social uses in tho
hours the children are not busy In
hem. and they Will frequently resound /
10 the merry music Of the dance and |
he happy voices Of dancers attractes. |
Icrchance from less desirable environ.
nents, and well entertained il sur