The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-05-28
Common Schools.
For the Dispatch.

MARION, Va, May 23, 1870.
In our article upon the "Frcc School
SYSTEM" which appeared in your paper of
the lith instant, we took occasion to touch
upon the question concerning the pay of
teachers.
From what we said upon the subject no
"attentive mind' could, upon reading it.
arrive at the conclusion that we " believed
in having things done for nothing" as
stated by "Alton" in your issue of the
2lst. "Alton" has either not read atten-
lively himself, or else he is unused to draw
ing correct conclusions from plain state
mentS.
"Rugby," to whom reference is made,
stated that "thc sum of 1900 is the least
that should be paid for competent teacher
for his annual services" He reduces this
sum to $3.50, "lor the sake Of illustration,"
he says.
We stated in reply to this that 80 if 1900
or $3.50 is the lowest sum for which quail
our opinion that the amounts named are
the lowest that ought to be paid; other
wise, not"
The above does not show, nor can any
one by any possible method of sound rca-
soning draw the conclusion, that we are
unwilling to pay such salaries as will Sc
cure qualified teachers in every instance.
The only true inference to be drawn is that
we believe in paying as much rs may he ne
cessary to secure good, competent teachers,
but nothing more.
"Alton" seems to think that all lOw-
priced teachers must, as matter oil neces-
sity, be incompetent, immoral, and totally
unfit to take charge of the "young ideas"
of Virginia, while we contend that there
are teachers enough, even in Virginia, am
ri tt,
whenever opportunity is given them, be
ready and eager to teach for what he
("Alton' may consider low wages.
"Alton" seems to forget the impoverished
condition of our State and the burden of
debt under which our people groan, while
we remember that we are not rich, and feel
like entering upon the new system, keeping
In view the condition of our finances, and
regulating our expenditures in proportion
to the means we have with which to pay.
He believes in large salaries, Judging from
the tone of his communication, while we
advocate small salaries when they will secure
competent persons to teach.
He ("Alton y seems to think that high
salaries alone can secure good, traDcd,
and thoroughly competent teachers; while
we, giving full force to the meaning of the
words, assert that teachers fully competent,
and qualified morally as we'll as mentally,
may be obtained for what he would consider
grinding prices.
"Rugby,"" 4" Alton" says, is liberal evil
dently knows what a teacher should be,
and feels that we want system above ten
penny considerations and "entirely of Vir-
gnia.growth." And again ID. S. s., if we
are not visionlesS, desires to begin in Il way
which will make the system OF free schools
more hateful to Virginians than ever it has
been" 1t has been hateful, then and, if
so, a system of free schools ''Cntircly Of
Virginia growth" would THAT hatred still
existing, as it seems to, in the minds Of
manyl be not Il complete system, but de-
formed thing-a something partaking Of the
name hut not the nature-Of no practical
use or benefit, but decided injury to all.
But we have no such desire rs that alluded
to in the words of "Alton," quoted as
above.
We believe, however, in ayailing our
selves of the wisdom and experience Of
others, and not allow Il bitter spirit of
hatred ora splenetic temperament to cause
Us to shut our eyes to what Is going on
about us.
We believe that in embarking upon what
to lis is IN unknown sea 1t Is our duty to
avail ourselves Of all the benefits to be de-
rived from those who have naVlgated in that
direction before us, whether they be dew or
Gentle, Turk, Mahommedan, or Christian.
1t is wisdom on our part In entering upon
the great undertaking before us-the estab-
lishment of free schools--to make use Of the
lights before US, no matter from what section
of the country they may emanate and 1t
would be foolishness to do otherwise.
Let us, then, form our system, not upon
the system CT any particular State, but upon
the systems already adopted elsewhere.
adopting ourselves those features which are
good and wholesome, diseagding those which