The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1855-07-06
COMMON SCHOOLS.
For the Post.

readers upon the same cngrossing topic. !
said engrossing topic, because, perhaps, my
own mind is thus occupied rather than from
any evidence that the subject is of absorbing
interest among the people. That the people
of lower East Tennessee are taking more
active interest in the execution of the Public
School system of this State, do not deny.
On the contrary, am glad to know il is so.
And am writing this to let them know that
there is one who is engaged in teaching that
sympathizes with them in their almost
schooless condition and who is ready to CO.
operate in the work they are beginning to
discover is needed. 1t is not my only pur-
pose, however, to give notice of readiness TO
do battle to the powers of know-nothing. at
al-ism, but want,to call out from their
sag-ncht,,l (say.nothing) retreat those who
are, or interd to be, engaged in teaching. ]
would say to teachers and to all commission
ers and patrons of these schools, that, it you
want to put down that former doctrine you
must abandon this latter, for opposite as they
are in politics they run together in education
and literature Indeed, there will not be right
views of education and the importance of
schools, entertained by the mass until these
things have been placed fairly before them.
This can be done by writing and lectures
and know of no more appropriate class to
begin this arduous but rewarding work than
teachers. That teachers can not accomplish
the whole alone is very evident, but if they
tons for good will be understood, their ef-
forts duly appreciated and both heartily re.
ciprocated. What paper shall we write for
teachersl Is there any educational Journal
read where this paper is circulated? If there
were it would be very convenient and APP
propriate channel for our Investigations and
discussions. But, probably, there is not
Then let us solicit the favor of the Athens
Post | think the Editor would like to en-
with other matter. should ike to see an
article each week. | am aware that since but
few schools employ teachers for longer pc
riod than three or four months during the
year-a period that just eXhausts the public
fund, most persons designing to engage this
season are employed at other things, and
from the nature of their most common bus-
ness, farming, can not command the requisite
time without sacrificing, to some extent, their
pecuniary interests. But they are not all
pressed. And there are q good number Of
young men attending to their studies at the
various institutions of learning that have
grown up in different sections of the country
upon whom we have a reasonable claim for
aid IN the undertaking we propose which
would result in the happiest results, if faith
fully prosecuted and ably conducted. And,
now, teachers, would most earnestly urge
upon you the necessity of enlisting with head
and heart in this grand enterprise.
| hope now to be INDUCED while taking
one step further back than did in my letter
of May. In that letter alluded to few
improvements that are requisite, as | coDceiv-
ed.
The step to which refer is the necessity
devolving upon the Legislature to appoint
Il plan for the erection OF School Houses in
each School District. If that body has the
authority, as all at once admit, to. assess tax
for the support of such an institution, ii
should and indeed does have the same power
to provide for its appropriate and judcious
expenditure. A review of the present state
of things with regard to the character OF
School Houses and the difficulty attending
their erection, will show the necessity OF
adopting speedily better method. When a
School House is needed in any neighborhood
it is not unfrequent that the sum total OF
every species of prejudice is brought along
to the appointed meeting. Difference OF
opinion in politics aud religion has sepa-
rated the people into number of PARTIES
These parties are often blind to any thing
insisted upon or even suggested by one not
belonging to their clique. One party be-
comes offended ut some of the Others and
expresses n determination not to assist if that
plan is decided upon. The other party or
parties SUDDENLY grow rich enough to carry
the work forward without the aid of their re-
ported contentious neighbors. They resolve
themselves into building committee of the
whole and attempt to settle. upon some plan
of operation-the excluded party criticising
every effort but sympathizing with none
But there are more points of difference than
one. so this committee itself does not long
preserve its unity of strength, but radiatng
from n common centre soon disorganize and
the work is entirely abandoned for the time.
But the house must be built. They meet
again. The meeting is probably as uncere
monious rs before. A plan, however, isadopt
ed-onc company is appointed to make the
boards, another to haul the logs, and thus
the whole, is to the satisfaction perhaps Of
nil. distributed and the house is expected to
be ready in due season. The work goes on
and sooner or later the house is said TO be
ready for the opening of term of school,
The committee for inspection comes TO take
n view of the building which which has been
dioniGed with the name Of School House. a
lust report would run something like this: It