The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1860-11-07
mIsnIREcTEp EprcATIoN.

OuI SOuhAJ |
MIsDIRECTED EDUCATION.
In some of the rural districts directors per-
sist, regardless of complaints and remon-
STRANGE, in keeping the schools open seven
and eight hours day, often only short in
PERMISSION at noon, and the school houses
not always properly furnished and veniila-
ted. The practice apparently originates in
an Inconsistencies of The radical difference
between mental and manual labor and the
belief that if, for instance, a robust wood
chopper can swing his axe all day without |
iniurv-ihe Framework of growing children |
can be adjusted 10 a similar standard.
These errors of enlightened ignorance !
find their counter-part.in more enlightened |
communities, in the forcing system OF tut (
ton still TOO often encouraged in both pub
lie and private schools in our commercial
metropolis, and some OF our interior cities
and large towns Mis,aking knowledge for
education, this unfortunate system brings
it's hydraulic pressure TO bear with remorse-
less cruelty upon the immature intellect OF
pupils in early youth or dawning woman
hood, with catalogue of text books and
studies that might astonish a university
and is prolific of superficial attainments, or
feeble health, broken constitutions and pre-
mature graves, that are ignoranhy, but not
the less falsely and irreyerently charged 10
ga mysterious Providence" +" instead OF mex
cusabe violations of the physical laws o!
our being, so obvious and palbable, that he
who runs may read. In lis Immediate ap-
plication and ultimate results, the policy re-
ferred 10 is an outrage upon humanity, and
crime against society. Teachers dePlore
il, pupils sink under it, medical authorities
deuounce il, cemeteries and insane asylums
are replenished by il, but private interests
and misguided public opinion permit, as
! yet, no adequate reform.
! The opinion seems 10 prevail that be-
cause hard headed lawyers, or energetic
/ merchants, in the maturity OF vigorous
manhood, can bend their utmost powers OF
mind, early and late TO their respective pur-
suits during feminine or the spring sales,
the same fierce intensity OF prolonged men
tai application is proper for children and
youth, and can safely be exacted of them
and thus the period of lie that should be
one OF genial culture, and the gradual, nat
ural, heallhiu development OF the whole
being, becomes one of painful sacrifice and
misdirected self-destroying effort.
CHOICE OF TEACHERS.
Two applicants presented themselves for
employment by board of directors One
of them held good certificate, had taught
the school for two years, gave general sat
sfacton, and was decided choice of large
majority of the patrons of the school. The
other had taught two sher terms, at liter
walls Of several years, did not hold so good
a certificate as the other, and was justice
of the peace, and expected TO attend 10 his
duties as such while teaching. The board
desire the opinion of the Department as to
which Of The two should be employed. The
emphatic answer is, the first named teacher
by all means. Directors are trustees for
the public, and the imperative official oell-
galion resting upon them is TO discharge
their duty in such way as will best sub
serve the public interests entrusted IN Their
care. This can only be done, by the en-
ployment OF the best teachers amongst those
who present themselves, or can be had,
wherever :here is a material difference IN
their qualifications. Again, teaching is a
difficult aud arduous vocation, requiring
close application, and taxing the time,
thoughts and energies of those who fol-
low it, and should be the principal, if not
The exclusive business of those engaged in
il. and not an incident, or appendage TO
other interests or pursuits, aud least OF all
subordinate TO them. The practice OF teach
ing merely as help weightto some other
interest or pursuit, belongs 10 past age,
and directors owe it 10 their constituents,
and the latter have a right TO demand, that
it shall not be sanctioned except in cases oi
extreme necessity and where competent
, teacher, devoted 10 the business, presents
himself in competition with one of inferior
qualifications, and who, as in this case, IN
tends to engage in other pursuits, directors
should unhesitatingly employ the former
aud reject the latter.
TEACHERS WAGES.
, Economy is always commemorate var
tue in schooI directors, provided il be gen
| uine, and does not degenerate in parsimony
/ But the last place TO economize IS N
teachers wages, and the directors canno
I practice the virtue in This direction, wlthou
! losing vastly more than they hope 10 gan
by the operation. Skillful and successful
teachers are entitled TO full compensation
3 and can fairly earn il; and if it cannot be
I had, they will as matter OF course gt