The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1869-09-07
Communicated.
Tho way our Public school Teach.
ers are Treated.


Mn. EDIToRi-Tho public during the last
month have boon treated to long treatiscs
upon the subject Of "hlgh and normal
schools" "mixed schools" and the "slaugh-
ter Of innocents" In ''school-house shan
ties," but SO far as the non-payment Of the
teachers arc concerned but very little has
been written. Since the other matters have
been fully discussed, II may not be out OF
place at this tlmo to take into consideration
the claims Of the teachers, who are seriously
Inconvenience, or 10 use moro pointed
phrase, afflicted for the want Of the money
due them for tho months Of July and
August. Il Is a lamcntablc fact that many
Of them have been driven to the notifying
necessity Of depending upon the charity and
generosity Of friends TO enable thom to OBJ
tain the necessary subsistence required TO
''keep tho wolf' from thclr door. After
thus struggling through two long summer
months, they are again called upon 10 takc
charge Of their respective district schools,
instructed as to the new rules and regula-
tons, and admonishcd to observe instruc-
tons and discharge their duties faithfully.
When the important question is pro-
pounded as TO when they ARG to be paid their
back salaries, tho cool RESPONSE Is, 'not be-
fore the middle Of October, II thcn." II our
teachers could live upon air aud water, and
WtTc ullOWtu tut HtNbckV VI WuihiuB hhS
streets and attending 10 their duties AFTER
tho fashion Of their primitive parents In the
garden of Eden, thoy could manage to labor
| and toll for tho benefit Of our children with
| out remuneration, but as II Is they have to
cat, TO live and wear clothes to cover their
bodies. This shameful and disgracoful mar
ner Of dealing with our teachers calls for A..
explanation from those In authority who
| have the management Of the financial do
partmcnt of the public schools. How can 1t
reasonably be expected that our schools can
be kept up If this evil Is not speedily rem
cdiedi II is not at all strange that we daily
hear OF teachers resignlng aud opening
private schools. They arc compelled TO do
Il to enable them to raise the means Of sup
port for themselves and those dependent
upon them. The wonder is that they don't
all resign, and agree not TO teach any more
in the public schools until they have boon
paid up.
Ifthis wretchcd system Of management Is tc
be the curse OF our public schools, the sooner
that Congress takes special charge Of the ed
ucatlonai interest of the District Of Colum
bia the better II will be for tho people ant
the teachers, as II is very evident that there
Is something rotten In Denmark" Oui
''city fathers" will do we'll 10 cease their In
ccssaut discussions about "hlgh and norma
T Schools" aud wraugliDg over "miIet
( schools" aud set their brains TO work abou
: raising funds to pay the teachers and saw,
them from the humiliation 10 which ut presen
0 they are subjected. II poor teacher hap
pens to be little remlss In her duty, schoo
supcrintendents, trustees, &c., make grea
0 complaints, but when hunger and cold knocl
|, at their door our officials take but little not
. Of their sufrerings. II Mayor Bowen or tn
Y board Of trustees can explain 10 the peopl
: why this gross and objectionable imposition
0 Is practiced upon this deserving class Of ou
citizens, let them do so. It'll the Taxpayer
8 right to know, and 1t Is their duty to max
Q the explanation. AJAX.