Cooper v. McJunkin

4 Ind. 290 | Ind. | 1853

Stuart, J.

Cooper sued McJunkin in trespass.

The first count is in the usual form for an assault and battery. The second count alleges that McJunkin unlawfully, and with inhuman violence, beat, bruised, cut and gashed the face and head of Cooper, &c.

The defendant filed several pleas, none of which are now before us, except the fourth plea.

In the introductory part that plea enumerates the several trespasses in the first and second counts, and avers that they are one and the same acts of trespass. The pleader then states that the relation of teacher and pupil subsisted; that at, &c., in school and during school hours, Cooper, as such pupil, was negligent, disorderly, &c.; that McJunkin, as such teacher, finding it necessary for the good government of the school, did thereupon moderately correct Cooper, as he lawfully might, for the cause aforesaid, averring that this moderate correction constitutes the several acts of trespass in the declaration mentioned, and in the introductory part of the plea enumerated, &c.

The replication, admitting the bad conduct of Cooper, is a species of de injuria, to which a demurrer was sustained, and judgment for the defendant. The replication is informal—perhaps bad; but it is good enough for a bad plea.

The law still tolerates corporal punishment in the school-room. The authorities are all that way, and the legislature has not thought proper to interfere. The public seem to cling to a despotism in the government of schools which has been discarded everywhere else. Whether such training be congenial to our institutions and favorable to the full development of the future man, is worthy of serious consideration, though not for us to disCUSS.

In one respect the tendency of the rod is so evidently evil, that it might, perhaps, be arrested on the ground of public policy. The practice has an inherent proneness to abuse. The very act of whipping engenders passion, and very generally leads to excess. Where one or two stripes only were at first intended, several usually follow, each increasing in vigor as the act of striking inflames the passions. This is a matter of daily observation and experience. Hence the spirit of the law is, and the leaning of the courts should be, to discountenance a practice which tends to excite human passions to heated and excessive action, ending in abuse and breaches of the peace. Such a system of petty tyranny cannot be watched too cautiously nor guarded too strictly. The tender age of the sufferers forbids that its slightest abuses should be tolerated. So long as the power to punish corporeally in school exists, it needs to be put under wholesome restriction. Teachers should, therefore, understand that whenever correction is administered in anger or insolence, or in any other manner than in moderation and kindness, accompanied with that affectionate moral suasion so eminently due from one placed by the law “in loco parentis"—in the sacred relation of parent—the Courts must consider them guilty of assault and battery, the more aggravated and wanton in proportion to the tender years and dependent position of the pupil.

Were it within the province of these discussions, how many other objections to the rod, based upon its injurious moral influence on both teacher and pupil, might be safely assumed.

One thing seems obvious. The very act of resorting to the rod demonstrates the incapacity of the teacher for one of the most important parts of his vocation, namely, school government. For such a teacher the nurseries of the republic are not the proper element. They are above him. His true position will readily suggest itself.

It can hardly be doubted but that public opinion will, in time, strike the ferule from the hands of the teacher, leaving him as the true basis of government, only the resources of his intellect and heart. Such is the only policy worthy of the state, and of her otherwise enlightened and liberal institutions. It is the policy of progress. The husband can no longer moderately chastise his wife; nor, according to the more recent authorities, the master his servant or apprentice. Even the degrading cruelties of the naval service have been arrested. Why the person of the school-boy, “ with his shining morning face,” should be less sacred in the eye of the law than that of the apprentice or the sailor, is not easily explained. It is regretted that such are the authorities,—still courts áre bound by them. All that can be done, without the aid of legislation, is to hold every case strictly within the rule; and if the correction be in anger, or in any other respect immoderately or improperly administered, to hold the unworthy perpetrator guilty of assault and battery.

The plea before us avers that the several acts of trespass alleged in both counts were one and the same act. This mode of pleading, the effect of which is to deprive the plaintiff of the benefit of several counts on the trial, is, when taken in time, bad on general demurrer. But, by replying, the plaintiff has cured the defect and narrowed his own position. 1 Chitty Pl. 414.—7 Blackf. 384.

The plea assumes to answer the whole declaration. Moderate correction, supposing it an answer to the first count, is not a sufficient answer to the matter alleged in the second count. 7 Blackf. 74.—17 Ohio R. 454. If the inhuman beating, cutting, &c., alleged in the second count did not take place, the defendant, as to that, should have pleaded the general issue, and justified as to the residue. If he committed the alleged violence, he could only justify by showing its necessity; for example, to overcome resistance offered to the legitimate exercise of his authority. The plea before us does neither.

The acts of cruelty complained of in the second count are, therefore, not embraced in the idea of moderate correction. Admitting the right to chastise moderately, it does not follow that a choleric schoolmaster will be justified in beating and cutting the head and face of a wayward boy with any weapons which his passions may supply. To call such acts of extreme violence moderate correction, does not change their character. It is not a denial of the allegations in the second count, nor does it confess and avoid them. Such pleading, professing to answer the whole declaration, is bad on demurrer; and was reached by the demurrer to the replication.

II. Cooper, for the plaintiff. J. W. Dawson and M. Jenkinson, for the defendant.

The law having elevated the teacher to the place of the parent, if he is still to sustain that sacred relation, “ it becomes him to be careful in the exercise of his authority, and not make his power a pretext for cruelty and oppression.” 14 Johns. R. 119. Whenever he undertakes to exercise it, the cause must be sufficient, the instrument suitable to the purpose; the manner and extent of the correction, the part of the person to which it is applied, the temper in which it is inflicted, all should be distinguished with the kindness, prudence, and propriety which become the station.

Per Curiam.

The judgment is reversed with costs. Cause remanded, &c.