The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1915-12-09

/ 's0J RNAoAN JOu. asW
The third question may be ans
wered decisively in the affirma-
tive and the average attendance
published in the be-enniai report
of the state superintendent offer
ed as unanswerable proof Of this
necessity. When we measure the
efficiency of the schools in terms
of attendance as compared with
school population, the necessity
for a compulsory attendance law
needs no further emphasis. Over
38 out every day during the
yearl In other words 3S per
cent of our boys and girls are an.
nually denied the privilege Of
preparing themselves for intelli-
gent and serviceable citizenship
Can county as proud, progress
sive and rich as DeSoto permit
this continuing illiteracyY
1t is contended that the attend
ance of children will not be in
creased under a compulsory law.
This is only another way of say
ing that the law will not be en-
forced. We pledge you that we
shall exercise every.power vested
in us by the law for its enforce
ment. This objection is coupled
with another, which, on its face
appears more cogent, "You can T.
make a boy learn by law; you
cant remove ignorance by an or
der to educate. /"
True, we may fail in some in
stances. Laws against felony,
burglary and other crimes do not
prevent these crimes altogether.
Prohibition laws do not stop the
selling of liquors altogether. Be-
cause these laws have never been
able totally to remove the crimes
at which they are aimed, should |
they be repealedY Certainly not.
We may not be able to make
child learn by law, but we can
place him in school where intel
lectual influences will be brought
to bear upon his life; where "the
example of his teacher, the emu
lation OF his fellow students, the
sweetness OF success, even the
stimulating impulse of not ire
trievable defeat, open to him a
new and heavenly vision, and
voices without call to long sill
INT voice within, and at last it an
,wers, | All here, A MAN. a"
Would we be able to meet the
additional expense imposed by
he enforcement Of the law? III,
hall answer this question by ask
ng one. Is the school tax levied /
o provide educational opportuni-
les for part Of the school popu-
alton, or for ALL of it? Every
,hild is a legal beneficiary Of the
ichool taxes and he should be
yiven his proportionate share of
raining and instruction offered
" the educational agencies oper-
ted by the county 1t is quite
possible that we may have to !
Iold UP work along some lines,
or a short while, but these econ
mics would not weaken the dyn- :
mite OF our present educational !
orces. In only one school dis
riot would our resources be tax /.
d to degree that would require
extraordinary measures to meet
he increased demands Of this
Nv. A way will be found to |
Ieet the needs Of that district.
Briefly, we have answered the !
uestions that have come to us !,
'om those who are opposed to 4
le' adoption Of the attendance :
w. We are glad to note the j
rong sentiment favorable to the /
1option of the law and we urge !,
pom every one supreme effort
make our schools effective and
blot out illiteracy in our proud c,
ld progressive county. b
Give the MAN in every boy a o
nance fo find himeaIf h