Houma Ceres. [volume] (Houma, Parish of Terrebonne, La.) 1855-18??, 1855-12-13
Our Public Schools.

judgment in selecting MesSrs. Il. 4. Ihib-
odaux, N. II. Rightor, W. NJ. Mercer,
Frank Gagne and Joseph Aycock, as
school examiners. They are meu whose
position and talent command universal re-
spect. With such a board of examiners,
Terrebonne may look forward with conf
dence for teachers who will be in every
respect qualified for the trust reposed in
them. We have been assured that these
gentlemen will grant credentials to no APP
plicant for the post Of school teacher,
without first standing the test of a strict
examination, he be found competent and
well qualified tn fill that important calling.
Our present system of public schools is
yet very imperfect, and without some fur
Their action is taken on part Of our
Legislature, to ameliorate the existing
evils by which that system is vet surnun-
ded, it will be almost impossible, with
even the most untiring energy, to accom-
plish much. There can be no doubt that
those who have heretofore conducted our
public schools throughout the State have
been in many instances guilty of the mos,
criminal neglect Of duty. Whether they
were fearful if they discharged their duty
fearlessly and impartislIy, they would gain
the i'll will Of some, and consequently for
felt IA little Of their popularity; Or whether
they haye-a great majority Of them
been egregious ignoramuses, is compli-
cation waiting solution; but that one or
the other Of the prop ositions is true, is as
evident as lis the demonstration Of the
47th Of the lst, or any other Of the prop.
ositions of Euclid. Scholars are found
in scores who have been through with
Webster's spelling book once, twice, and
perhaps thrice or more. who are not only
ignorant Of the key intended as the guide
in pronunciation; but many Of them have
yet to learn for what the key was intend
ed. They have been taught to combine
the letters necessary to spell worl, but
in many instances they have been Jeff to
their own accent, and to gratuitous pro.
nunciation. Numerous scholars have read
or prosed the first, second, third, yea.
and some Of them the fourth Reader Of
the Eclectic Series of Readers, who have
never learned TO distinguish between the
comma and the period; being as matter
Of course ignorant of the names of the
different points used in composition, and
Of consequence devoid of any conception
Of their first application. Scholars are
suffered TO proceed with the grammar
without correctly decling the pronouns, or
properly conjugating the verbs. Many
OF those scholars, when diverted from the
Phraseolcgy to which they have been &C.
customed, have proved themselves as ig-
norant Of the principles, as they had pre-.
viously proved themselves to be of points.
Now figure TO yourselves, a teacher en-
tering upon tho discharge Of his duties
with materials such as these. The schol.
ars falling to his lot have, perhaps, formed
high opinion opinion Of his predecessor.
Papa and mama sanction that opinion,
and perhaps blend with their admiration
Of the teacher, their esteem Of the man;
and 4 may be. their love Of the brother in
the same fold. in the pilgrimage toward
Zion. How shall the stranger proceed to
convince those pupils, first, Of ! degree Of
Ignorance Of which they had not suspect
ted themselves 7 Then, as necessary
consequences, Of the incompetency OF their
former preceptor! the dereliction Of their
friends, and the imposture &C that brother
Of papa and mama, and perhaps their spi.
ritual Instructor!
Under these circumstances what onshtI
to be done e renoyate tho sySem and to|
correct easssine cvilsl |, is but fair to.
csnclode thai iegisaators CONSIDER the p.