The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1913-06-19
VOX POPULI.
IN FAVOR OF THE
COMPULSORY SCHOOL LAW

Bagdad. Fla, June IS. 1913.
Editor Pensacola Journal.
1t seems to me that we should have
a compulsory school law enacted so as
to give schooling to each and every
child that is old enough to attend
school and keep him or her in school
until they become twenty-one years
of age. When I say keep them in
school I mean the entire term that
the state or county may give to each
school district. BY this the public
schools would be better and could
have better teachers and longer terms
There are thousands of children that
never see inside of school room in
a life time and in other instances they
are not able to go more than one
month in a year. What have they de-
rived from this? Nothing. I dare
say that possibly one out of a hum
dred can read. write or spell his or
her own name. Are men and women
that have grown up in this stage any
credit to their country? Are they fit
subjects to occupy any sort of po-
sition whatever? No. What is the
cause of all this? Simply because
their parents did not give those chill
dren the opportunity they should have
given hem and in other instances per-
haps they would start them to school
and, due to the fact that they very
seldom control their children and when
the teacher attempts to control those
and it all ends by stopping the chill
dren. Some times they are put at
work or let run at random in the
woods or on the streets.
Now in my opinion this is poor policy.
# those parents would control their
children at home and get them in
touch with all of the principles that
make a lady or gentleman and when
those children are sent to school I
feel certain that the teacher would not
have any trouble trying to teach such
children.
There is a practice now in vogue and
has been for years past which can
eliminate so many controversies be
tween the teacher and the parents, and
that is this; never allow the child
to relate the happenings of the day
when itSarrives home from school. For
if a child sees that it's parents are in
iterested in what 1t has to tell 1t
naturally will be watching and listen
ing for something to tell when it ar
riVes home, and naturally they will
get beyond the limits.
Owing TO the fact that We have a
school law that protects the children
from the teachers phvsical injurY,
suggest that you send your children to
school every day where there is A
school in reach and if you do not con-
troll them at home do not get offended
at the teachers if they attempt to con-
troll them. l am quite sure If all of
you follow my suggestions you Will De
benefited by same and your children
will be brought UP in the right way
and will some day be an honor to their
country. By every school patron fol-
lowing this policy it will enable us to
have better schools and better service.
Every man that is bringing a family
up into this world should take this
matter into consideration and realize
the Importance and necessity of giving
his children all the education that can
be given them.
+ I will say in regards to our schoo:
system that we have about one of
the best in the United States. al
though l do not think that the teachers
are receiving a sufficient salary for
their services, If the teachers were
paid better salaries and the conpul-
so1y school law passed I think we
would have better schools throughout
the states.
I am greatly in favor of a compul-
sorry school law and in my observa-
ton l DO not see why 1t should not
be passed and I do believe that in a
very short period of time 1t will be a
law.
Most respectfully.
w. H. BOHANNON,
Bagdad, Fla.