Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1872-09-05

If L bad an enemy, who was OF q yIn-
dictive spirit, l should wish him elected
a supervisor of town schools, or member of
town committee, and would labor with
much zealto this effect. No position is
filed with more responsibilities, and re-
warded with so many kicks, and so few
coppers. An eminent man once said,
'Oh that miEe enemy would write a
book" He bad probably had no experi-
ence with the committee business of our
public schools, or he would not have been
so l~euient. My ultimatum of persecution
would be to get him elected committee
man. He would be glad to trade situa-
tioEs with Job, and pay roundly to boot.
If there is any profession people know
all about in their own estimation, it is
hoao to keep school. They all, without
exception, consider themselves adopts in
the profound knowledge of. this high art,
and hence arises the trouble, for no two
agree. The committee resolve themselves
into a committee of the whole, and sepa-
rately into committee of one. and act from
their W standpoint. They expect the
agent to employ a teacher that will suit
the whole district, which is next to impos-
sible, aud then that he, she, OF IL, shall
keep school to suit each individual COM
mittee of one. Failing to do this, the
odium, the abuse, and the SANDER each is
pleased to make. Oh that mine enemy
was a committee mani -,
The agents have a way of hiring teach
ers second handed. and thereby often get
second. handed teacher in this wise A. is
chosen agent, and BIS wife has a third
rate niece who has a fourth cousin by
marriage, who would like the school. ID.
takes A. out one side and whispers in his
ear, gets consent, and this above named
substitute for q school teacher puts in an
appearance, aud is induced, as a great
favor to the district, to stop in the old
sbsnty called a school-house long enough
to draw the money Of the district. Mr..
b. feels he has done a Kind act to both
parties the teacher that he has rendered
a great favor and arduous service the
agent tint he has got out of that scrape
well, while the poor committee man. if
any dissatisfaction arises, has to bear it all ;
and. everybody 'knew how it would be-"
and 'told you So" -H
Hon. Mr.. Gasbag expects. of course,
the poor inferior committee whom he con-
descendingly and pityingly stopped to
help, will certify has Betsey Jane, even if
young and incompetent. He will tell you
confidently they dare not do 1t otheracise!
He has been in the legislature, and has an
infaence,-so has the tom-cat. Rev.
Gospel Truth also expects his son to be
classed as A 1 among teachers, no matter
if he is shallow IS a goose pond and wild
as the winter winds: Lawyer Crosscut
expects and demonstrates that his children
are fine wooded, and to be certiicated at
sight if called upon.
Now here is Mr.. Committee in a straight
place. The district upon n side wants
good teachers and expect fair, candid
work. Politics, religion, and the law
brought to bear to carry personal interests
over public good. Oh that mine enemy
would be elected a committee mani
1 wonder sometimes. at the perverse-
ness of the people, and that passage in the
Gospel becomes of unusual force and clear
ness, "Woe unto you ye blind guides
which strain at a gnat and swallow a
camel" Take heed, for '.Dehold your
house is left unto you desolate." The
sad tale statistics tell Of diminution of
scholars yearly, the firm adherence to the
old district plan, the continuance of anti
usages and dead forms, the luke
warm interest in public instruction will
soon work desolation to the best interests
of heart and home. Oh that such people
would awake from this fatal sleep, and
strike out to save themselves from the
seductive eddies of this moral and mental
whirlpool's outer circles OF devastation !
Educators and live men work with tongue
and pen for the salvation of our vital
breath as a nation,-our public schools.
Too many are liyihg on the selfish plat
form of AFTER me tho deluge." but we
believe in a different course of life. Ear
nest, noble, telling efforts can never better
be expended than now, and one and all,
let us. make the world better for having
lived in it.-Cor. Maine Journal Of Ed
ucotion.