The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1831-11-16
FOR THE MASSACHUSETTS, Spy.
WINTER SCHOOL TEACHERS.

Our winter schools have been to so long n
source o. pride and satisfaction, that il may seem
strange that any should be bold enough TO m ak
any suggestions for a further Improvement Glor-
Gus have been the results of our school system
and yet there many shameless and obvious neg
ects in carrying that system into effect. No where
Is error more apparent than in the too frequent Sc
lection Of n teacher unfit for his station and such
an error is committed most commonly from mar
row and short-sighted economy. For the sake Of
saving very few dolars-the whole winter is too
often lost. We call it short-sighted economy be-
cause the reflection is rarely made that the whole
oil the teachers wages is but fraction Of the real
expense of the school. Estimating the books the
wood, the time, the house, and the aggregate ex-
Pense lar exceeds the pay of the master. For in
stance. allow that each school has only twelve
scholars whose time is valuable, and that this NAV
be valued at six dollars per month, and we have
Szlo-aliew the moderate sum Of one dollar for
books for each of fifty scholars, and reasonable
amount for wood for board Of master, and rent of
house, and $500 would be low estimate of the ex-
pense, exclusive of the teachers pay,-allow his
pay to be $50 for three months, and we perceive
That his whole pay is hut sirth Of the whole ex-
pense, when we allow him a'iibera compensation
Now we should reflect that bante:ing for few dol
lars may defeat the whole object Of a school, and
waste, in truth, the whole money raised and ex-
pended. At best, we save but pittan cat worst
we lose the whole winter Moreover, the effect
the teacher has upon the minds of his pupils is in
n SOUu muster makes THEM better
scholars, and, perhaps, better men for ever poor
one improves them none for the present-leaves
them ignorant and incorrigibe for the next winter
and impresses uponthem no single truth of NOR
aiity and learning 1t is no wild assertion to saw
that teachers influence on the mind and future
conduct Of single scholar is Of far more yaIue
Than his 'ohoie compensation. We say then, let
approved competent teachers be obtained. Away
with such narrow views of economy. Poor Rich
ard, or some one else has told that for want of
horse was lost" But niggardy as this neglect is,
the effect here is comparatively triiing. For in
one case we lose little property in the other we
most dear-our very children. There are men,
who are satisfied when their children are merely
brought under subsection, and are willing to pay
take up the rod as a respite from his common bust
ness. We ask such men to look around upon some
neighborng towns where learning is duly priced
where caution is taken to have estimable and com
petent teachers, and if such town is not Gle
waited in taste, character, morals, in every thing
indeed far above their negligent selves Accu.
towns are most paltry and despised where COM
mon schools are always most wretched where
least is taken for procuring teachers 1t is no
less true that fair price always procures suitable
men. Every laborer is worthy of his hire and
where master is to be found to work for a paltry
price, the inference must be that he is paltry
teacher. and has never devoted the time and ex-
pense necessary to qualify himself for the discharge
of SO responsible AN Office PLAIN FACT.