Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1855-05-30
WHOLE NO. 2OI7

some Attorney Oh record, and after two
years study, and very slight examina-
ion, is admitted to the bar, and allowed
70 practice law throughout the State
Now 1t IS not pretended that a young
and inexperienced student, thus admit.
ted, Is competent to superinted intricate,
and important suits but it is supposed
that II he is person Of sound mind, in
dustrious habits, and good morals, a
laudable ambition to excel, and rise to
erninenee in his professiou, will induce
him to make the necessary improvement,
and he is admitted for life.
But it appears that different rule is
followed with respect to teachers; and
the presumption seems TO be, that in the
brief space of six months, although act
lively engaged in teaching, they will be
utterly unqualified, and must again be
subjected to the exposure, and trouble
of another examination. s
Now it does appear to me, that with
all the efforts made by school examiners
10 improve, and raise the character of
our Common Schools. the principal cause
of the failure of improvement, has not
yet been discovered.
What is the present condition of most
OF our Common Schools ?-Why trav-
eler passing through the County about
the middle of the day. cap generally tell
when he is within from one fourth, to a
half mile of school house, by the
noise and cOHfasiOn, rattling of chairs,
tables, and benches screeehing, and
hallowing of the scholars. On approach
ing the school house, he will, most prob
ably, see some rare specimens of Young
america, engaged in pugilistic encount-
ers, or pitching, head foremost, out of
the doors and windows often with such
profane, or improper language, and in
such a rude and boistercus manner, as
would not be tolerated in a bar-room,
grocery, or beer saloon, and in some in
stances, but little better order is enforce
ed during the hours of school. Yet such
schools. arc kept by licensed teachers,
who have answered HE quest ons, and
the directors ale not allowed to employ
any others.
But, how are these evils to be reme-
died in the first place, although con-
slider the law regulating determination
of teachers, somewhat defective, yet,
such, a practice might be adopted. under
the present law, as would tend greatly to
the improvement of our Common Schools.
The inspectors should select from the ap-
plicants, number of persons, residents of
the County, of sufficient age and expert.
ence (those who have heretofore been
successfully employed in teaching should
be preferred, of studious, and industri-
Gus habits, good morals. and who are
well qualified to govern, as well as to
teach Common Schools; and to all such,
certificates should be given for two
years, with an express understanding,
that upon their imp piovement, and success
in teaching and governing, schools, would
depend, renewal of their certificates and
that without such improvement, and evil
dence of fitness for teaching, certificates
would be withheld, and tbeyrecommend-
ed to follow some other occupation. If
sufficient number of such teachers
could not be found, and it should be
n cessary to give certificates to young
andinexperienced applicants, they should
be granted for shorter terms, but on the
same conditions; and whenever any
teachers, whether young or old, possess
the necessary qualifications for success
fully controlling the youth, (often unac-
customed to any government at home, J
who compose our Common Schools, and
are able to govern them without corpo-
raj punishment; (which no well quail
fed teachers will resort to. except IN ex-
treme cases. such teachers, whether
male or female, should be considered as
useful and valuable members of commu-
nifty, and should be encouraged, and
sustained by the examiners. and BY the
public, even if they should chance to
miss few unimpOrtant questions on their
examinations.
There are several instances within my
recollection, when teachers, who have
been heretofore successfully employed
in teaching, and who stood high in the
public estimation, as teachers, are now
rejected, and ther places are supplied by
persons without experience, and entirely
unfit TO take upon themselves the re-
sponsibile duties of instructors OF youth
In conclusion, there are but few per-
sons in all respects uoeH qualified, to be-
come the instructors Of youth, and the
necessary qualifications, are not to be
found exclusively, in the high schools, or
among the students of our Colleges, but
whenever persons are found possessing
the necessary qualifications, whether
.hev are found in the mechanics shop;
a, the plow. or engaged in the domestic
dulles of the household they should be
encouraged and sustained.
TRUMBULL.
The more man is envied, the less ne
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