Smyrna times., 1857-11-25
Original articles.
Written for he Smyr@4 T|mcs
Hints TO School Committees.

Is offering these hints to the consideration
and view of the public, We do not wish to be
understood to signify that all committees are
liable to err in the same manner as those whom
We may instance for most of our committees
are sound, sensible men, to whom these sugges-
tons will be of no advantage, except to recall
to their remembrances the instances which
they have seen Of its practice But we have
men in our committees to whom these hints
will be of infinite advantage. | have no doubt
but that an alluslon to the difference in the
result between their course, and the proposed
course, will be sufficient TO convince them OF
the correctness of the propose course.
My subject is CHOICE OF TEACHERS. This
which all their Judgment should be brought into
action, and due consideration given to the sub
ject. And here, | fear, that it must be confess
ed by almost every one, that they do not give
tie subject the consideration which is due to it.
1t is too often the case that, so little interest do
they take in the matter, that, upon cOnsulta-
tion, each will say that he is satisfied with
Whatever the other may DO 1t should not be
so; for they should remember that upon the
parents will come the consequences of the good
or bad education Of their children, and not up
on the teacher,-and, consequently, the COM
mittee should be very consderate in the selec-
ton of teacher. The teacher remains, per-
haps, few moments with his charge, and then
goes to other places, and perhaps hears of them
no more. He has thus very little at stake
The parent has everything at stake, and from
this consideration the committees are also ac-
countable. Providence has made the parents
responsible for the manner in which their chill
dren are prepared for the duties of life,-and it
is interesting TO observe how very cautious the
laws OF society are, about interfering with the
parents wishes in regard to the education OF
the child. Therefore, committees should take
considerable care, in the selection of teacher
to discover whether he may be qualified, both
morally and intellectually. We have consider
cd, or rather compared, the moral obligation
resting on teacher and parent. Hence we see
that, from the responsibility resting on the lat
ter, he should have the direction of his proceed
ing. Here allow me 10 digress little to con
sider this subject, in the rights of the commit.
tees to control the school. In many cases, the
employers, knowing how sensitive teachers
very frequently are on this point, acquiesce in
it, aud leave them to themselves. Whenever
in any case, they think that the state of the
school requires their interference, they come
cautiously and fearfully to the teacher, as i
they were encroachiug upon his rights, instead
of advancing with the confidence and direct
ness with which employers have always righ
to approach the employed and the teacher
with the view he has insensibly taken of tn
subject, being perhaps confirmed by the ton
and manner which : is employers use, max
the conversation quite as often an occasion 9
resentment and offence as of Improvements
Whenever the parents or committees expires
however mildly and properly, their wishes
regard to the manner in which they desire
have their own work performed his pride is
once aroused he seems to feel it an, iDdignil
to act in any other way than just in accordant
with his own viii and pleasure; and he abs
lutely refuses to comply, resenting the interf
renee as an insult. Or else. il he apparent
yields, it is with mere cold ciyility, and entire