The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1872-04-18
writers = the Advertiser.
school Matters.

writers = the Advertiser.
school Matters.
NJ. Hatt0r :-Havins noticed vari-
ous artleles in syour papor ara else
where eoggestine the doing aw&y witt
the ofllee Of County superintendent,
and general complaint Of high school
tax aud III returns. I thought perhaps
1t would not be amiss to look little 1t
the other side of the question.
l am ever In favor Of thorough and
radical changes " made fog The hetter, /!
but change for the sake Of change,
never.
have been scarcely able from what
has been said to sec one substantial
argument why We ought to do with.
out Couniy superintendent, while
1 can see much In favor Of such an Of
ficer.
First. We want some capable per
son to examine teachers and look into
their qualifications ~ to book-learn-
ing. morals, government, &c, aud
how can it better be done than by a
County Superintendent:
Second. To accomplish the first
object and stir up thorough aud
lively educational feeling In the
minds of the patrons in general.
How canthis be done better than by
securing the services Of q thoroughly
active and live Superintendent who
may have the whole wants of our PEG
pie In that particular before him and
travel around over our county and see
each teacher at his or her work and
give friendly criticism or timely word
OF commentator. and Of evenings
call out the people and talk to them OF
the wants Of their sons and daughters
aud themselves in an educational
sense, and elicit from them inter
change Of thought on the subject and
cultivate more thorough interest In
the correct educational welfare Of their
own and neighbors' children? Vast
good might be done In tnis way and
the real need OF the county looked Of
ter better and cheaper than by any
other method yet presented TO my
mind. That these objects have always
been obtained will not pretend to
say. but let us be more ready to i'm.
prove and bring out the real merits OF
our present law and secure the high
object in 1t designed. than to do away
with some Of its more important part .
unless we have TO present in its stead
something much better.
AZ to Institutes, l would simply say
that IL they were held oftener or long
er and the system Of training was
more rigid, think the result would
be much more apparent, and the bene.
fits extend into every district liz the
way Of better mental discipline aud
government.
There are one or two practices that
would be glad tn ace entffely changed.
One is the custom Of hiring teachers
for single term and not by the year,
thus necessarily making teaching q
transient calling, and the teacher a
wanderer. Also the very unwise pol .
icy Of township Boards in fixing the
salary Of teachers all over the town.
ships and making no difference az 10
what are the qualifications. Why
would not township Boards pass some
such regulations as this, allowing each
director who hires o teacher holding
first class certificate to pay -
dollars per month, and each who
hires one who holds second class
certificate five or ten dollars per
month less, and those holding third
class certificate still less and SO on,
thus giving an incentive to each dis
trict to secure the very best teacher
and to each teacher to obtain the very
best qualifications.
Then let the people Of Cedar county
t-ssHa- svasv laeaOs In their power 10 Sc
lect the very best man IN tneir county
to oil the Office Of County Superinten-
dent, aud the Supervisors require just
such labor Of him Is the wants Of the
people demand, and we are confident
that all will become satisfied aud our
schools will take high rank in this
our noble State. Aud further the
Superintendent will be amply reward
ed financially without being over anx.
ious about what kind Of resolutions
different bodies Of teachers may pass
as to his salary.
That there are mistakes often made
Sy sub director. ia hiring teachers 10y
looking more Ia the cheaphess than
qualifications or by hiring some Of
their own or influential neigbbor's re
lation regardless Of their fitness, every
one will admit. Again when Difficult.
ties occur in school. parents too often
side with their children, thus cripp
ling the efforts, it may he, Of an honest
energetic teacher to maintain his
position in his school.
From twelve years experience a. q
teacher though now farmer ! may
say that never had any serious diff
Guilty with pupil, unless in nine teen
times out of twenty the true cause
could be traced home 10 the father or
mother or both.
The objection tliat'E' wa.ed against
the poor man often having to pay tax
for property he does not own. was
good one. but why direct it against
the school tax only. | would ask r..
how this unjust burden Is to be rene-
died ELwoOD MACY.
Springdale.
The New York Herald says: We
support Grant for these reasons: He
has kept the peace he has given pro.
lection to all men in the South he
has solved the painful and shameful
Indian question; he has given us an
economical administration, and has
been implacable with rogues in Office
~ hoe .,,aaa sraatr .,ith England.
and means to hold England TO it; he
has strengthened the national credit,
and has contributed in every way to
the prosperity Of the country. He