New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-03-20
4 COLD TRAIL.

| A teacher Is introduced to the Picayune
as one whose ability and experience en-.
title her to respectful audience" After
this little flourish the lady is admitted to
the stand as complainant.
!. She wants the school board to pay
the teachers more regularly.
2. She asks that the board repeal the
regulation depriving teacher Of pay for
non-attendance.
8. She wants Mr.. Ingraham's resolution
to abolish vacation salary defeated
4. She wants Governor Kellogg to ap-
point the members of the school board,
and suggests three names for positions.
| In answer to the first request, we have
but to remind her that every cent of
money that is received for school pur-
poses in this city, is promptly applied to
the expenses Of keeping the schools Open
The board is entirely dependent upon the
city and State treasures for money,
which in turn are dependent upon the
taxpayers, many Of whom seem to have
tied their puse strings in hard knots
Besides, there are very many open
enemies to the free school system, who
think they are doing something very
''meritorious' if they throw even small
obstacles in the way of its prosperity.
We do not observe that the teacher of
experience and ability makes any mention
of these. Perhaps she is one of them
herself. We know that many Of our
teachers are open to some such charge.
The regulation which deprives teacher
OF pay when absent is no doubt hard
one when applied to many cases; but as
the directors find it difficult to raise
money enough to pay the salaries that
have been actually earned by hard service
they have, in our judgment, postponed
any exhibition of charity until they are
in position to mete out justice. We hold,
however, that there is prop1iety in paying
the salary Of a faithful teacher during tenn
porary illness, caused, perhaps, by close
attention to her duties; but there is a
prime necessity for paying the salaries
that have been honestly and faithfully
earned.
1t was the duty Of the Picayane to in
form this very able and experienced
teacher that the resolution to abolish va
cation pay has already been indefinitely
postponed by the board, and the fact
published in the city papers As she may
not, however, know the exact effect of in
definitely postponing resolution, we will |
explain, that it is to kill it very dead |
indeed. A little attention to what is going
on around us sometimes saves US from
making blunders
In answer to the fourth proposition, it |
is sufficient to remind the inquirer that
the duty Of appointing school directors
devolves upon the president and members
of the State Board of Education, with
whose deliberations the Governor, in his
official capacity, has nothing whatever to
do. From sample of the nominees offer
ed, however, we suspect the writer is not
aware Of the fact that Hon. ". G. Brown
is the State Superintendent, and in full
possession Of his faculties and the active
discharge. of his duties. But one who
lid not know the fate Of Mr.. Ingrahsm's
may well be presumed to be
gnorant Of other important matters.
There are many old ladies Of both sexes
vho have sunqnestoned expefence, {if
ears can give it, though modified ability,
hat are unable to name correctly single
'tate officer, The Picaylne's correspond