Tribune and telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1855-1856, 1855-07-05
Our Free School.

Our Free School
The present term of cur Public School closes
on Friday of next week. There viii be public
Rotations, but no exhibition. AS the term draws
to a close, there is quite feeling evinced among
our citizens, in reference to the EMPLOYMENT OF
Mr.. MCKINLEY, for another year. There seems
to be an almost universal feeling in favor of re-
tanning his able services, for while we have heard
many express themselves very warmly in favor
of retaining him, at all events, we hear hardly
word against it. III AEkF
1t is understood that Mr. MCKINLEY will re.
quire an increase of salary to induce him to stay
another year. This fact ifthere is any opposition
will be the only cause urged There are those
who think (orat least act as if they thought that
man can spend years, of the best portion Of his
life in fitting himself for most important calling
and then pursue it for the same conversation
that is doled out to the common laborer But
happily for the cause Of education this class Of
persons is daily growing less The mission and
the duties of the teacher are coming to be better
appreciated. Men generally, at tllis day, see the
Importance ofah education to their children, and
are willing to pay the man IN whom they have
confidence, literally, for instructine them. and
laying, in d great measure, the foundation fol
their future usefulness and honor
All admit, that for qualifications for teaehinrl
for faithfuIness to his trust; and for energy and
enthusiasm in his calling Mr.. MCKINLEY has
few, if any superors in this or any other State
We have never known teacher devote himself
so entirely to the interests of his pu.
pills and his school. Every parent and guardian
who has sent a scholar to the school, has had
practical demonstration of this No scholar i.
missed from his accustomed seat in the school
room, for half day, without being bundled up
and his or her parent or guardian being called
upon to account for it
Under Mr.. Nj. charge, the scholars of the Free
School have made greater progress in all theil
studies than they have ever made before in the
same time We have heard many parents remark
that their children have never been more inter
astcd and engaged in their studies, than at the
present time. A teacher must have the faculty
OF impartng his own enthusiasm to his scholar,
of awakening an interest, and binding tie al
tention of pupils to the study in hand-if woult
succeed. This faculty Mr.. Mckindlcy sccirs t.
possess in an eminent degree. There is very lit
tie disposition to play the truant, in his scholars
for they have learned TO find their greatest pleas
ure in their studies, and in meeting half way The
efforts of their teachers, for their Improvement
These facts are generally understood and ap
prccatcd and the wish to have his services Sc
cured for another year is, as we have said amos
universal amongst the fathers and mothers of GU
city. For our own part, we believe wisdom
would dictate, that when we have a teacher VIII,
was been trtcd and proved to be every way s.
well qualified and fitted for the important station
by all means, retain him. The plan of changin,
teachers every two or three terms, even if w
were certain of getting good ones every time i
not a good one. And it is certainly much worse
when we are liable to get poor one. In such
case, the difference of one or two hundred dollar
should not be allowed to have an undue weight
The difference in the tax is hardly preccptible
but the difference between a good teacher and
bad one is great, because poor ono is worse tha
none at all What money we do pay him is lost
and the time of our children which is more pre-
cious than money is worse than lost. We hop
to see Mr.. McKindley engaged for another year
even though we have to increase his salary.