The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1861-11-21
LOCAL AND PERSONAL.

Co. Supt Swank, setting forth that there
.ou exists a scarcity of Teachers in this
county, and published in these columns
last week, we are furnished with at least
ors interesting item of Information. He
coys. in effect, that, owing to divers causes,
10 greater proportion of female Teachers
has been employed this winter than du-
ring any preceding year"-at least one
third Of the whole number being OF that
class He also adds that: off they all
devote themselves zealously to the perfor-
nance of their responsible duties, aid do
not forget to improve their own mental
Qualifications while they are developing
the minds of their pupils, they will-do
much this winter toward breaking down
IN some portions of the county an unjust
nreiudice which has heretofore operated
against their employment as instructors OF
youth"
That there has existed and still exists
10 certain extent an absurd bias against
the employment of female Teachers IN this
county is an incontrovertible fact. WhyF
This is question easier asked than an
svered No one-not even the most fas-
tidious Of School Directors--will for a
moment deny that woman's capacity for
mental improvement is equal to that of a
male Thus much admitted, no one but
an idiot will say that she cannot impart
instruction to the rising generation with
exactly the same ease and accuracy that
man can. Then why refuse to accept her
services as Teacher? Or at least to ac
cord her equal privileges in the premises
With the sterner sex2 Echo answers,
Why, indeed !!
We asked this same question of GER
tain Director once upon time, and he
answcred-"Suppose lady should be en-
trusted with the supervision of school of
unruly scholars she couldn't lick EN- as
hard as thy might deservc! :" This cogent
argument may have been considered un-
answerable score or two of years ago,
but it viii not pass muster now.
The fact is, school-teaching is essential
ly and unqualifedly female avocation.
By reason of the false and despotic adjust
ment of social arrangements in this great
and enlightened country Of ours, woman is
pretty efFectually debarred from compet;-
ton with man in any profession or branch
Of business. Should her relations in life
be such that she is Obliged to ''do for
herself, as the phrase goes, she may either
wear her life away over washboard, or
sew, or knit, or spin. This, and not mach
else. Common courtesy, then, should re-
quire that the appropriate and more lucra-
tive employment of teaching be reserved
for her especial use and behoof But is
1t! Except in rare cases, a woman, be
her qualifications ever SO good, cannot
succeed in securing the necessary permit
for such an undertaking! Man, strong,
sef-reliant man, however, can step coolly
IN and assume the position without expe-
Fiencing the least opposition Truly has
the Superintendent said that San unjust
prejudice" operates against the employ
nent of women as Teachers.
Another grievous error, bearing On the
subject, is this: The almost universal
custom of School Boards in this county is
to have two schedules of wages-one for
male teachers, and the other for female
teachers. In the former the pay is invari-
ably somewhat heavier than in the latter.
thus: Should a male receive t,centy.ttUe
dOllars per month, female In the same
district would probably receive only eigh-
ten or tuenty! At the same time it
Would be admitted on all hands that the
duties of the latter party were performed
Just as acccptably as those of the former.
We are sorry to say that we cannot dis
nnguish the "point' of this nice little
disposition. In other words, we consider
Il an unmitigated piece of petty swindling,
"f which the perpetrators should be
aeartiiy ashamed, and repent in sackcloth
aud ashes.
word to Directors We are glad to
Fe that you have turned over new leaf
N the score-book of progression, by your
'cAon this winter in the matter of distrib-
aang the Common Schools Continue on
Your good way! Neat winter leave out