Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1839-03-09

state of the public mind does great injustice TO
the many honorable exceptions which APP
pear among those engaged in that valuable en-
Ployment. There is injustice done them, boh IN
the recompense allowed, and the respect PAID Ia 1
their profession These evils have not escaped /
the notice Of our General Assemblies. Many Of +
the legislatures of the States. with the common
dabIe purpose Of remedyng The evil, have reqalr-
/ ed that be appointed in certain districts.
whose duty il shall be to examine all persons pro
posing TO teach IN these districts AMI give certi-
fcaes of their literary qualifications Bat how +
inefficient has been this arrangement. Many OF
those appointed to this responsible Office. have
been entirely unqualified f5r the discharge Of rs
important duties. | could refer to some of these
Judges OF literary attainment" who cannot
write their read their mother tongue i
But are the existing school laws blameable for the
iudicrons force which Is necessarily exhibited on
all occasions when such teachers brought be-
fore such in examining committee? b. no means
Laws cannot place literary men in every town
ship, or even in every county. The disease i
therefore too suite 10 be effected by the remedy
employed. General laws cannot he made to aP-
ply TO special cases. However good, therefore,
ic the present statutes they cannot remedy The
evil contemplated
But what is the substitute proposed? ! would
not propose what wonld be, strictly speaking,
substitute. Let the present laws continue in force,
and let them accomplish much they for
those committees when cannot be found
deeply interested in the great blessings Of gen
erai Education rs TO take the matter into their
own hands; and even these, let them at present,
be nomnally complied with, for the benefit they
secure to others. But in every community where
such can be found, let an association be form
cd for the supply Of teachers in the county of
which they resident. The general plan of
that organization might be modification Of that
persued by tho Association Of Phlladelphi The
! following might be taken as a brief outline.
a /. Let the board be composed of men eminent
j for their literary and moral attainments.
:. Let them receive and register all app!ica-
tons for situations.
: 3 Let them, in all cases, require well attestcd
credentials, or satisfactory evidence, Of moral
: character and literary attachments.
+ 4. Let them require of every applicant the
: clear presentation of his proposals-the statement
II of how many scholars wished--of what branches
II he Is lnaser-what is the character Of the school
he would prefer-whclher promiscuous or select
!, whether common classical.
o .. Let them receive and register all applica-
II lions for teachers with full expression of tho
d character Of The ncighborhood the nature Of The
, school, the compensation which will be allowed
< and the attanmcnts required in the desired in
e structor
:, 6. With these facts, let them select congenia
! ma erias and hasten union between parties
r. whose mutual advantage would he thereby pro
10 NOTED.
40 :. Let hem establish high standard of liter
nj airy and moral qualifications, and adm. none +
'' the responsible trust whose abilities would no
honor the profession.
=. Suppose association, | would not say pre-
cise'y after this plan, but one partaling some
- thing of this character, formed say FOR g.
ample in Richmond; suppose the men composin
." the association were noted for integrity and wi
dom; suppose it was generally understood thu
;" none could receive their sanction but those we
'r qualified for the high and responsible stand
10 which they aspired what would be the result
Probably many of the 'crtfi,'' would prefer avoi
io' ing such an ordeal md would therefore d;s4a;
ng fully pass il by: and probably among those wi
uo regard him capable of teaching in words of on
~ syllable who spell, not to say pronounce won
of e . :. 1T, -
7"' nong those who really competent teache
and those who capable of estimating the va
lie of such. it would be held in the highest est
nation. lis influence would be to discountenanc
-. all pretenton 10 profession for whose duti,
49, they entirely incompetent. and to encou
) age and reward competent instruction. Hos
!, ever un!avorably II might be regarded b. Il
former OF these 1t would grow in the contiient
:, OF every jujicious community Just in proportic
- TO the diligence and fidelity of its members
such an association formed and faithful
;t conducted IN every county the State, il won
A., accomplish al once what general laws can new
. do Ii wonId wrest most Of our common scboo
:, from the hands of the ignorant and place the
- under the direction disqualified teachers It woa
60. save profession the most interesting and inpc
- tan; IN It's character from gnominv and reproac
and elevate it TO its deserved rank among Il
learned professions 1t would constitute gre
49, centre through which all communications fro
" Universities and Colleges, and High Schoo
'i might be transmitted at once to the comm
schools Of the land--alI professional teache