The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1855-07-27
For the Post.
COMMON SCHOOLS.

The writer of the al ticle in the Post of
July 9th, upon the subject of common schools,
calls upon teachers and all concerned, to
come out from their say nothing dormancy
and engage in the cause of this much ne
elected, yet important subject. ! for one am
for it. am willing to contribute my.mite,
and if no other good can result therefrom,
may perchanco stir the turbid waters, and
thereby induce others better qualified to take
hold. 1t seems that candidates aspiring to
seats in our Legislature, are so ali-absorbed
in abusing the Northern Abolitionists and
Southern Know Nothings, that so spalI a
matter MS reformation in our system of com
mon schools has not even been mooted. 1t
will not do to depend alone upon the Legis-
ature to bring about the needed reformItioR,
even if its members should be actively en-
gagged in its behalf. The Legislature may
make amendments and vote appropriations;
but it will devolve upon the people to get up
a good, wholesome spirit of enterprise and
emulation, in this matter which so vitaly
concerns the interest of all. ], for one, think
that the Legislature should provide that
school commissioners be paid for their ser
vices, and some means allowed for the con
struction of school ol-houses. Then, and not
:iI then, men calculated 10 accomplishing
thing would be willing to serve. Whether
this is done or not, let the people seeto it,
when the day to elect commissioners arrives,
that they attend and vote for the most hflu-
ential, intelligent, and highminded men in
the community, to serve in this capacity
Such men as will not stoop TO serve their
own selfish ends, or be controlled BY thef
designing partisan kim Men who will take
pride in serving, because they wish and ex-
pect their labor to result in good to the com
munity. If we had such men to manage our
schools, ere long we would see many of those
uncouth, dilapidated old school-houses torn
down, and convenient and substantial ones
erected in their stead We would soon find
good seats, with strong backs, and desks ap
pended, take the places Of the rickety old
bark-edged puncheons, so common in our
school houses, and which are in reality the
only occupants the greater part Of the time.
We would soon have servants in the capacity
of teachers, who would be qualified for the
stations they fill. Men with moral and lit
erary qualifications who will feel the impor-
tance of their reward is not the sum Of dol.
lars they receive alone, but skill, character,
and standing in their profession, that will be
an honor to their heads and hearts; | say
honor, for if every teacher could feel the i'm
portance of his calling, he would feel that it
will not dishonor him ir he do not dishonor
it. / say, in conclusion, that the first and
main thing to do is to select the right sort of
men to manage the schools, and then one
step will have been made toward improve.
ment.
If the people would concern themselves
more about small things at home, and less
about greater abroad in all probability they
would find their efforts prove much more ef.
lectual in accomplishing the good so much
desired. w. NJ. s.