The Woodville Republican. [volume] (Woodville, Miss.) 1847-1853, 1852-02-24
For the Woodrilte Republican. ]

IFor tse Woodrilie Republican
It seems TO be the general impression that
\ the common schools are at present in a
fourishing condition. Much has been said
of late concerning the vast improvement
that will probably accrue to our State by
eul;ivating the minds of our youth, by
spreading intelligence abroad in our land
and rearing an enlightened community.
The common school system now in opera
ton, is certainly most glorious appendage
to State government, making the whole
population as il were one common family
moving onward to the accomplishment of a
great object, and that object is the educa-
tion Of its children. Our common schools
have thus far certainly been of wonderful
utility and have completely accomplished
the design for which they are established,
if that design was to have our youth faith
fully instructed for time without supply.
ing the means for continuing that instruc-
ton by compensating the worthy iaborers
for their services; many of whom have
undertaken to forward the great work for a.
stipulated reward which they have not re.
ceiyed, or, if received, it has arrived by so
circuitous route and been divided into so
many little parcels that it is scarcely felt to
be a reward at ALL II, however, the object
was to complete the great work SO well be-
gun, it has sadly failed in a most essential
point. School teaching is certainly an on
& erous task, and III which the care of many
parents devolyes upon one individual, a task
which no intelligent man will perform un-
less he expects to be fully compensated tor
his labors by the reward which he receives
for his services. II seems to be quite graf
flying to some who feel lively interest in
the success of our common schools tha:
few OF our native born youths have engaged
themselves in helping to lead the rising gen.
Grafton up the hill OF science. 1t has been
said that many of those who were thus en-
yaged, have met with marked success, hav-
ing given universal satisfaction to their en-
pIoyers. Then why, l ask, have most OF
them retired from the business with chagrin
and disappointment To answer this query
we must observe the under-current for a
time, which we win find flows rather freely
in direction somewhat adverse to that OF
the young tutors pocket. We will proba-
bly find that some Of them have not yet had
the satisfaction Of writing receipts for the
stipulated reward of their services. School
teachers, you know. like other professional
men. have great fancy for writing receipts
yItisexceedingly strange that this veiy es-
sential point upon which must finally de-
pend the entire success or failure OF the
common schools, has been so managed by
the law, that in some instances il hes re-
quired as much, even more. time TO collect
the salaries than to deserve them. Great
speculations have been made concerling
the benefit that would probably arise from
the appropriation Of small amount to each
township for the purpose of procuring phi
losophical apparatus. bat unless the hum,
Bile tutor Is freely supplied with that great
magnetic persuader, commonly called the
"dust." .he spectators may rest assured
that the apparatus will lie neglected and
unexplained for season. Some Of the
townships in this county are possessed Of
means amply sufficient to defray the ex,
penses Of : school Of the first order. whilst
Others are almost entirely destitute. This
disparity Of means in adioining townships
has arisen not so much from the negleci and
bad uaanagemsn; Of the trustees as from the
great diversity in the value of lands indif'
ferens parts Of the country. Now.ifequal
-ity of means will contribute to the advance
msai Of common schools. would J. not b
web 70 distribute that portion Of the public
fund which Is alloiied TO the use of tn
common schools amengsi those township
mol possessed Of means sufficient to carr
on . school II this plan were adopted il !