The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-12-04
Communications.
FOR THE MADIsoNIAN.

PROFESSORS OF MATHEMATICS IN THE
NAVY.
It is favorite reproach in the mouths of foreigners
that notwithstanding boasts of the universal diff
fusion of education among our citizens there 10 scarce
ly any country-with the exception of prototype
Engand--n which, earningi little respected and lis
abours so vilely rewarded In its application 10
divisional of country, hardly deny that the
reproach is founded in truth. Among many of our
citizens the of teacher is term Of contempt,
and if we may judge by the advertisements appearing
in the newspapers, the compensation considered ade-
quate for accomplished instructor of youth is SO
low, that an accomplished cook would consider the
offer an insult Could ascribe the limitation Of the
salary of teacher to the poverty penury Of indi
viduas we could escape the bitterness Of the reproach
by reference to the cause-which certainly could
not implicate the character of our citizens generally
But unluckily have such apology in this part of
the country at least. We frequently see advertise
ments from commissioners trustees public schools
offering employment to teacher and enumera,ing the
various branches of knowledge with which he must
be conversant and at The time promising him the
munifcent income of three hundred dollars. Such
advertisements are by unfrequent in the pa
pers of this city, and are sent 10 them believe from
the adjoining States With these publications before
u.s. can assert, that ths business Of education 10
treated with respect or lberalty. "..
have no intention, however, to dwell numerous
facts Of this character which could be adduced They
present, indeed, IeproachuI picture TO magna-
TONS when riumphing in the boast of the unversal
ty of education in these United Sates but we alIude
to them to manifest that the profession of teacher is
by no means SO highly respected as one might sup
pose, and to account in some for the fact,
that even in the laws of our General Government,
there TO be disposition 10 undervalue the cha
racter Of instructors take this time, TO draw aten-
ton to this evil trusting to the learning and literally
of the present Secretary Of the Navy for effort to
correct the evil. ax
If you will examine the law of 1885, regulating the
pay of the officers of the Navy, you will perceive that
while all the entitled to receive duty pay and
leave pay, sea pay and shore pay, the Professor Of
Mathematics alone is allowed compensation what
ever, except while actually on duty. He is ranked
among the officers, but enjoys of the privileges
of officer; while all the others, from the senior
captain, who may be generally considered the re-
tired list down to the rawest midshpman who is re-
cevng the ludimonts of education at the expense of
the Government, receive certain salary, whether on
duty not, whether serving his country INDUCING
his own pleasures,-the poor Professor receives no
commission officer, and is not paid cent except
for services actually rendered.
True, he 10 a non -combatant-and 80 IL the chap
lan the surgeon and the purser. He il subjected 10
as much hardship and privaton they are and yet
after the a,igues of long cruise, the chaplain, the
surgeon and the purser enjoy the relaxation their
health may demand, in the certainty of salary suf-
cient for their while the moment the cruise
terminates the pay of the Professor ceases and the
expense Of his recreation must be betrayed of the
savings his prudence may have enabled him to make
from the pence of his actual labors What Is there in
the nature of the duties of the purser ene him
consideration than the Professor-excep his sp-
portunities Of amassing more wealth. And shall it
always be so among us2 Shall wealth alone, or the
power of accumula,ng it, always command more re-
spect than talent and worth View the case as you
please is clear that the Professor has the same title
to commission and all the privileges of commission
as either the chaplain the purser. lfnot what rea-
be assigned for the discrepance, unless that
the profession of education is the most contemplate
on board our ships.
could dilate much more on this subject, but am
unwilling to be trespasser on your kindness will
add that situated he now the Professor has fewer
than any man in the Navy-no matter
what may be his rank or situation. shall trouble
you but with few words, for wish 10 be as
suecinct possible. proper beralty of encourage
ment the part of the Government towards the
of learning, requires of it not only to place the Pro-
fessors in tho Navy on similar footing as to pay with
he others, but fix their rank in the service and
heir position ship board, that they need not be
made necessarily the equal associates of those whom
hey called upon to instruct According to the |
present system not only are they treated with njus
ice but their services are rendered almost useless ID
not th, subject worthy the attention of the Secretary
and of Congress-
A veteran PROFESSOR.
Mem Fork Correspondents.