The paddle seems to be very much the preferred implement in USA schools. When did it first come into widespread use? I am particularly interested in early mentions of the school paddle in dated factual or fictional literature, and in official documents.

Have other cultures used the paddle in schools?

http://www.archive.org/stream/reprintse … 4/mode/2up

BULLETIN OF THE THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS, NUMBER 123, REPRINT SERIES NO. 8, MAY 1, 1909

A WORD-LIST FROM EAST ALABAMA

BY LEONIDAS WARREN PAYNE, JR., PhD, INSTRUCTOR IN ENGLISH

PREFATORY NOTE

The compiler of a list of the colloquial or dialect words of any locality hardly sees his work in print before he discovers many omissions and errors. In sending out this imperfect word-list of East Alabama dialectalisms, I earnestly urge all persons who are familiar with the localisms of the district herein described or with general Southern provincialisms to correct any errors noticed and to send me a record of any new words or phrases, so that I may not only supplement the list here presented, but eventually collate the general colloquial usages peculiar to the Southern State.

[…]

Page 355

Paddle, v. tr. To spank, whip. Also ‘ paddle the fillin(g) out of one,’ to beat soundly.

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http://www.archive.org/stream/dialectno … 6/mode/2up

DIALECT NOTES

PUBLICATION OF THE AMERICAN DIALECT SOCIETY

VOLUME IV (PARTS I-VII, 1913 TO 1917)

A WORD LIST FROM VIRGINIA. page 187

paddle, v. t. To spank.

_____________________________

As noted previously, the verb paddle was not included in the 1913 edition of Websters dictionary. The verb was clearly in use before this time. The dictionary would have taken years to write and may have missed some contemporary words.

The paddle seems to be very much the preferred implement in USA schools. When did it first come into widespread use? I am particularly interested in early mentions of the school paddle in dated factual or fictional literature, and in official documents.

Have other cultures used the paddle in schools?

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=VS … 57,2633851

The Sunday Call, Newark, NJ. 27 March 1904.
Anti-Rod Rules in Large Cities Corporal Punishment in Schools Quite Generally Permitted

New Jersey Still the Only state in the Union to forbid the use of Rod by Law – Interesting Facts from Cities over 100,000 Inhabitants

Over ten years ago, corporal punishment in the public schools of New Jersey was abolished by law. At that time many educators, politicians and other citizens believed the change a good one. Not a few believed that in making such a law New Jersey had demonstrated to the world her intellectual breadth and her wisdom. Some, however, have undoubtedly changed their minds enough to feel that perhaps, after all, the total abolition of the rod from the schools was ill-advised, and that the action was not based on the soundest principles. It is to be doubted if the anti-rod law has won many converts in Newark during the ten years of its operation, and it is, on the other hand, quite certain that many who once thought those who opposed the law believed in the indiscriminate flogging of children have come to understand that the opposition desired only that the rod might be used in extreme cases after all other possible means of correction had failed.

If one is to learn by observation, it is well to look about outside New Jersey and to get to understand how the country at large looks upon corporal punishment. The records of the last ten years do not support the stand taken by New Jersey on this issue. The great majority of the larger cities acknowledge that the use of the rod is at times essential. When New Jersey abolished the rod it was the first State in the Union to do so as a State. It was confidently asserted that in this improvement New Jersey would lead her sisters along new lines of progress. But the sisters somehow refuse to be led, for New Jersey is still the first State to abolish corporal punishment. She has enjoyed this honor all by herself for ten years. Why is it that the rest of the States are so far behind New Jersey in this matter of public education while so many of them have long been, to say the least, abreast of her in other phases of education? Have all the other States erred, or is it possible that New Jersey has made a mistake?

But the answer made by those who rise to New Jersey’s defense has been that while other States have not abolished corporal punishment by law the large cities and many small ones have done so. In the annual report of the United States Commissioner of Education for 1902, recently issued, statistics are given covering the regulations relating to corporal punishment in cities of over 100,000 inhabitants. Here it is shown that but nine of these cities have regularly banished the rod, and even in two of these nine exceptions are made. In the following cities corporal punishment must not be inflicted in the public schools: New York, Toledo. Chicago, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Cleveland and Syracuse. In St. Paul, Minn., the rod may be used to repel violence, and in Providence it can be used “with parents” consent in the primary grades. In Philadelphia it is not absolutely forbidden by law, but is reported to have been given up by common consent.

In many other of the leading cities of this continent corporal punishment may be used, with sundry restrictions and divers specifications. In New Jersey there were those who a few years ago said the educators could not be trusted to whip only when whipping was essential. In scores of cities and towns elsewhere the communities have confidence in the educators, as is shown by the following facts.

In Boston, Mass., corporal punishment is forbidden in high schools and kindergarten as to girls in any school. In any case it is restricted to blows upon the hand with a rattan. Each case must be reported through the principal to the superintendent.

In Buffalo. N Y. the schools must be governed. as far as possible, without corporal punishment, except when the principal gives special permission to other teachers, only a principal or acting principal may inflict it,

In San Francisco punishment may not be inflicted in the high schools or upon girls in any schools. It is permitted only in extreme cases and may be inflicted only by principals or by vice principals, with the consent of principals. Excessive punishment is prohibited, only a strap or rattan being allowed.

In Cincinnati corporal punishment may be inflicted only for failures in lessons and recitations. Blows on the head or violent shaking of pupils is prohibited. In Pittsburg it is not forbidden but is used only in extreme cases.

In New Orleans it is prohibited in the Boys’ High School and in all girls’ departments, and may be inflicted only in extreme cases, and then only on the hands. In Detroit corporal punishment must be avoided if possible, and must be used only with full knowledge and consent of the principal.

In Milwaukee it is permitted, as last alternative, by the principal only. Excessive punishment and lonely confinement are prohibited. It must not be inflicted in the presence of the class, and all cases must be reported monthly to the superintendent.

In Washington, D. C. corporal punishment must be avoided if possible. All cases must be reported monthly to the principal and through him and the supervising principal to the superintendent.

Corporal punishment must be avoided as far as possible in the schools of Louisville, Ky. Cruel punishment or confinement in closets is prohibited, and punishment may only be inflicted after the nature of the offense has been fully explained to the pupil.

When all other means fail corporal punishment may be used in Minneapolis schools, and principals alone may inflict it, and they only when parents have given written consent. Each case must be reported by principal to superintendent.

Indianapolis, Ind. – Must be avoided as far as possible. May be inflicted only in presence of principal, and must be immediately reported by him to superintendent.

Kansas City, Mo. – May be inflicted in cases of flagrant offenses, and then only after duly notifying parents or guardians of intended punishment; and if parent or teacher must inflict no additional punishment. Must not be inflicted in presence of school, but at the close of session and in presence of two other teachers or the superintendent.

Rochester. N. Y. – May be inflicted in extreme cases by the principal or, with his consent, by an assistant.

Denver, Col. District No. 1. – May be inflicted only after consultation with and with consent of principal. When practicable, superintendent should be consulted. All cases must be immediately reported to superintendent.

Allegheny, Pa. – Must be avoided when obedience and good order can be preserved by milder measures.

Columbus, Ohio – Allowed when all other means have failed. To be inflicted in schoolroom by pupils teacher, the principal being the judge of special cases. Punishment in the nature of personal indignity forbidden.

Worcester, Mass. – permitted only in extreme cases, then only when approved by principal or superintendent. Must not be inflicted in presence of school.

New Haven. Conn. – May be administered, with consent of principal, in extreme cases only, but never at same session of school in which the offense was committed. Cases to be reported monthly to superintendent.

Fall River, Mass. – May be inflicted where milder measures fail. Must not ordinarily be administered in presence of school. Record of each punishment and offense must be sent to superintendent for inspection of board.

St Joseph, Mo. – Must be avoided as far as possible. Each case to be reported to principal and by him monthly to superintendent.

Omaha. Neb. – Teachers are required to govern their pupils by kindness appeals to their nobler affections and sentiments.

Los Angeles, Cal. – Must be avoided if possible, switch or strap to be used, blows upon face or head forbidden.
Memphis, Tenn. – Must be avoided when good order can be preserved by milder measures.

To sum up, the heads of schools in large cities are coming to understand that corporal punishment must either be made use of in some cases or the child be turned into the street. They know that to enact laws forbidding corporal punishment is one thing, but to enforce them is another. That corporal punishment is inflicted in some of the schools of this city is generally believed and has not been authoritatively denied. It is, therefore, the wisest course to permit the use of the rod by law and then carefully and intelligently to watch over its application.

______________________________________

The above may contain OCR and transcription errors. Changes have been made to the formatting.

There is no mention of the paddle in any of the above and only a few mentions of implements. This suggests there was no public concern about choice of implements at this time.

Report of the Commissioner of Education for the Year Ending June 30, 1904. Volume 2.

Chapter XXXVII – “Current Topics” […] corporal punishment (page 2285) […]

http://www.archive.org/stream/reportcom … 7/mode/1up

[A table extending over three pages. Image quality is rather poor.]

The paddle seems to be very much the preferred implement in USA schools. When did it first come into widespread use? I am particularly interested in early mentions of the school paddle in dated factual or fictional literature, and in official documents.

Have other cultures used the paddle in schools?

Report of the Commissioner of Education made to the Secretary of the Interior for the year … with accompanying papers. 1870 – 1928.
[Not all years or volumes are included in this database, and most notably, not that for the year ending June 1902.

http://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/002137544

The paddle seems to be very much the preferred implement in USA schools. When did it first come into widespread use? I am particularly interested in early mentions of the school paddle in dated factual or fictional literature, and in official documents.

Have other cultures used the paddle in schools?

The collection of posts above is chaotic. Items have been posted in the order they have been discovered rather than in chronological order, or by type of record or publication. The items need to be sorted to produce a more coherent history.

I now summarize the situation as I understand it.

Despite diligent searching of the internet (by a self-taught amateur historian with little knowledge of American history), the question as to why and when the paddle came to be so popular in American schools remains largely unanswered.

It is clear the school paddle was known and in use before 1900. Its use did not spread widely until after this, possibly not until as late as the 1950’s – this is speculation.

There is no clear direct link between slavery and school paddles, or between prison paddles and school paddles. There is presently no evidence for the theory that the paddle was introduced into schools by graduate teachers with a fraternity background. There is presently no evidence that the school paddle derived from the hornbook or the shingle. However, none of the above theories are discounted by the evidence to hand. (I have not yet actively researched domestic use of the paddle – that is the use of the paddle by parents on their offspring.)

Internet coverage of news, official reports, books, periodicals, academic papers, etc. is very uneven over time and geographic regions. The currently-paddling US states are under represented in the accessible records, or at least the records I have found.

US schools are mainly locally organized with differences between states in the degree of their regulation and accountability. Some schools were little or belatedly affected by advances in educational theory, best practice, social reforms and outside influences. Such schools probably have a smaller presence on the internet that larger city schools.

Much of the older internet material seems to be based on old microfilm or microfiche copies made in the 1970’s when there was concern about the bulk and durability of paper documents in libraries. Huge volumes of documents, some quite tatty from use, were scanned at speed by people with little or no interest in the substance of what they were scanning. Automatic optical character recognition (OCR) is hampered by the poor quality of the images if not the poor quality of the original printing, or the poor condition of the source document. This has not affected Google searches as much as might be suspected as keywords tend to appear several times in documents of interest so are more likely to be correctly rendered by OCR software even in barely readable documents. Recent digital scans of paper documents are also of rather variable quality for reasons that soon become apparent to those who attempt the task. It is a very tedious and herculean task.

Some material, especially more recent material, is blocked by copyright. Searches are hampered by pay walls, which greatly deter speculative viewing of articles that may or may not contain material of interest.

The accessible documents on the internet probably give a distorted view of reality. Undoubtedly, important documents remain to be discovered in libraries if not yet on the internet.

Threads relevant to this discussion include: Classroom management (book) http://www.network54.com/Forum/198833/t … 1289667220 (Includes mentions of the shingle.)

A utilitarian explanation of the popularity of the paddle is that it is the best technology available for the task at hand.

Can anyone help advance my research?

The paddle seems to be very much the preferred implement in USA schools. When did it first come into widespread use? I am particularly interested in early mentions of the school paddle in dated factual or fictional literature, and in official documents.

Have other cultures used the paddle in schools?

The following news items from 1919 and 1920 suggest that university students in Missouri at least were familiar with, and comfortable about the notion of paddling as a punishment aside from any fraternity hazing or initiations. They may have been exposed to the paddle in high school and / or had influence over its use in schools in subsequent years, perhaps as fathers, teachers or as school board members. It is most interesting that individual paddlings made the news, sometimes on the front page.

http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/ … d-1/seq-6/

The Evening Missourian, September 25, 1919, page 6, col. 4

LAWYERS FAVOR PADDLING PLAN

Meeting Last Night Decides to Limit Size of Paddles.

Students in the School of Law had a mass meeting Wednesday night at which the question of paddling was taken up and thoroughly discussed in accordance with the request of the Student Senate. One hundred out of the 175 students registered in the School of Law were present and voted to keep up traditions, with some reservations. They decided that the sizes of the paddles used in punishing offenders should be limited, that freshmen should not be allowed to take part, that the juniors and sophomores should act as guards.

The committee appointed by the Student Senate on the paddling question will meet and compare notes tomorrow. Rules and regulations will then be formulated by the Student Senate and submitted to the student body at the mass meeting before the Drury game.

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http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/ … d-1/seq-1/

The Evening Missourian, October 01, 1919, page 1, col. 2

THREE ENGINEERS ARE PADDLED

Failure to Attend Meeting Is Reason for Punishment.

L. B. Wilkes, Noble Taylor and J. F. Calvert, students in the School of Engineering, felt the sting of paddles wielded by sophomore students in the School of Engineering at 1 o’clock this afternoon.

The paddling was administered as punishment for non-attendance at a recent meeting held by the sophomores. Wilkes objected to the punishment, claiming that he was a junior and the sophomores had no jurisdiction over him.

This is the second paddling held by the students of the School of Engineering this term.

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http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/ … d-1/seq-4/

The Evening Missourian, October 04, 1919, Page 4, cols 2 &3.

CAMPUS TRESPRASSERS PADDLED FIRST IN 1905

In 1905 there existed on the West Campus of the University a hard beaten path about two feet wide leading straight from the Manual Arts Building to the Chemistry Building passing just east of the Columns in the center of the Quadrangle.

This path had been made by students who, disregarding the wide sidewalks, thought to save time and energy by traveling the shortest distance between the two points, the Manual Arts and the Chemistry Buildings.

The students who feet traveled this beaten path, it is said, were, for the most part, freshman engineers who went from their drawing class to their freshman chemistry class.

A group of students sitting on the steps of the Engineering Building one evening even as they do now, watched the freshmen wend their weary way along the barren pathway to the Chemistry Building.

To at least one student in that group, it did not look exactly right that unthinking feet should trample down the grass of the campus when sidewalks built for the purpose of being walked on existed and he said something to that effect.

Tradition was Born

The rest of the group agreed with him and then and there the old tradition that “students shall not walk on the grass on the Quadrangle was born. This, according to H. A. LaRue, associate professor of highway engineering in the University, was the very beginning of that tradition. Mr. LaRue, who was graduated from the University in 1907, was one of the students in that group.

The next day notices were posted to the effect that persons who “cut corners” or walked on the grass of the Quadrangle where sidewalks already existed would be paddled by the engineers. Violators of the decree were plentiful the first day but all who witnessed the paddling on the second day were more loath to forsake the sidewalks for the soft grass. In a week, that beaten path became deserted and little sprouts of grass began to cover up the sins of the transgressors.

Venture was successful

Thus, the engineers by means of paddles accomplished what M. L. Lipscomb, then superintendent of the University grounds, had been unable to accomplish by means of much talk, signs and barriers.

Paddling as punishment for other “crimes”, and even the tradition about underclassmen keeping off the mounds, existed before 1905, Mr. LaRue said, but this was the first time paddles had been used for walking on the grass.

Just how many students have been paddled for this offense would be hard to estimate, but the engineers have well earned their title as guardians of the West Campus.
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http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/ … d-1/seq-2/

The Columbia Evening Missourian (Columbia, Mo.) Wednesday October 13, 1920, Page 2, col. 2.

University News

Curtis Potts paid the penalty for violation of the tradition in regard to “keeping of the grass'” at noon, yesterday. Engineers armed with paddles, administered the punishment. Another student was scheduled for a “paddling” but was excused because of a lame knee.

The paddle seems to be very much the preferred implement in USA schools. When did it first come into widespread use? I am particularly interested in early mentions of the school paddle in dated factual or fictional literature, and in official documents.

Have other cultures used the paddle in schools?

http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/ … d-1/seq-7/

Nebraska Advertiser, March 09, 1882, page 7, col. 5.

Colored Schools in South Carolina

In a single school in Charleston there are fourteen hundred negro children. The teachers are all white the principal is a man; all the other teachers are women, many of them ladies of great refinement, themselves once mistresses of slaves, whom necessity has compelled to seek employment. They are working in good faith, and with an infinite patience, and they undoubtedly make the best teachers for the blacks. From their intimate knowledge of them, they know when it is wise to insist and when to yield. Numbers vary. One primary teacher has had one hundred and eighty pupils under her charge at once. The first class in the intermediate grade averages fifty. In this class they are of every size and age, from boys of eleven to women of twenty-two and twenty three. In this class they learn long division. Arithmetic is the thing they care most for. The boys are brighter and quicker than the girls, but the girls are more docile and more attentive which makes good the difference. The girls can be managed without corporal punishment; the boys not, for a rattaning is a small matter to them, since many of their fathers are likely to use either a rope or a club upon them. [. . .]

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http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/ … d-1/seq-2/

Tombstone Epitaph (Arizona), March 03, 1888, page 2, col. 1.

Editorial comment

In answer to the editorial of the Prospector [rival newspaper], we publish the opinion of Col. Parker, principal of the Cook County Normal School, near Chicago, the head and originator of the “New Education,” and a man who is considered one of the most progressive teachers in the United States

“If the choice between anarchy, misrule and comparative order must be made, I am bound to recommend, in such cases, the judicious use of a rattan. Corporal punishment is far preferable to scolding that turns the school-room into a perpetual washing-day. It is preferable to many inventions that have been discovered to avoid straightforward punishment such as shutting children up in dark closets, making them stand for hours on the floor, sending them home, or keeping them after school. If you punish in anger, you simply enhance the difficulty. Anger begets anger. The sting of the rod must be accompanied by the genuine sympathy of real love.” ,
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http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/ … d-1/seq-4/

The Morning Call (San Francisco), November 14, 1891, page 4, col. 4

BAD FOR THE BOYS
Principals Declare in Favor of the Strap for Unruly Pupils

The school principals met in Odd Fellows’ Hall yesterday afternoon, Superintendent Swett acting as Chairman. President Hyde of the Board of Education was present, and took part in the various discussions. The principal topic before the meeting was the rule relating to corporal punishment in the public schools. The rule restricts punishment to the palm of the hand, and a strap is the instrument designated to be used. Many of the principals present were in favor or the abolition of corporal punishment, while others held that it was impossible to deal with unruly boys in any other way.

Deputy Superintendent Babcock stated that in the school where there is the least bodily punishment there is the best discipline. The statistics of the department showed that one or two teachers in each school usually required the corporal punishment of their pupils. In one of the schools last year there were six cases of corporal punishment asked for by one teacher. This showed a lack of teaching ability and disciplinary power. The object should be not to regulate corporal punishment by rules and rattans, but the unruly boy should be brought over by increasing the teaching qualities of the teacher, and augmenting their power to properly govern. Principal Hamilton of the Lincoln School thought that some kind of corporal punishment was necessary. He had found it so in his school.

Superintendent Swett asked if it was the sense of the meeting that corporal punishment should be confined to the hand, but the majority were in favor of the exercise of freedom and discretion in castigating disobedient pupils, and laying on the strap where it hurt the most.

[The above may contain OCR errors.]