Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1874-11-19
THE SCHOOL TEACHER
NEARING THE FRONT.
ADDRESS OF
Gov. G. G. Carpenter,
BEFORE TIE TEACHER INSTITUTE,
At Knoxville, Aug. 13, 1874.

and political stand point. Heretofore
American scilool-teachers have not
been regarded, in a social or political
sense, as standing abreast with mem
bers of the other so-called learned
professions. But that they have in
some measure been assigned a rear
position in the column of march con-
stituted Of the different intellectual
professions is due more to themselves,
than to any arbitrary rule either in
law or social ethics. And to what
extent they are responsible for the
fact that their work has been in the
past but partially appreciated, and
the course necessary for them topur-
sue in order to Sc ure their own adj
vancement to a position nearer the
front rank in the professional arena,
are the considerations which, with
your indulgence, Propose to discuss
on this occasion.
1t has doubtless occurred to the
ladies and gentlemen whom / have
the pleasure of addressing, that de
ficiency in the necessary educational
qualif 'ations, which are an earnest
ofprofessioual success, stands first
in the catalogue OF reasons to be as
signed for any lack OF social or po-
litical consideration Of which the
modern teacher may be disposed to
complain. TO this it will naturally
be replied, that whatever anxiety
they might have felt in respect to
making greater requirements, and
Especially such as pertain specific
ally to their duties as educational
lists. The State having provided but
Indifferent and limited accommoda-
tions for training persons who de-
Sire to enter the teachers profession,
it was beyond the power Of those
who were without the means to meet
the expense Of the ordinary college
university course: these being the
only schools in which they could
make the preparation required by a
public opinion daily becoming more
and more exacting in its demands.
Admitting that this State has been
somewhat derelict in its duty to the
fraternity Of teachers, and especial
~ in not keeping abreast with many
Of the States in providing training
schools to fit them for their special
work, still this does not relieve them
from the demands of u personal re
sponsibility common to every Amer
lean citizen. The world is full Of
books, and the lives Of men and wo-
men are crowded with moments Of
time. The enthusiasm for work,
which inspires all persons having an
ambition equal TO the opportunities
0 tthe age, is all that is required in
the teachers bf to-day to overcome
the difficulties which inviron them.
II is q truth which American history
every where attests, that the most
successful men and women, and
those who have reached the greatest
results; not only in material enter
prises but in intellectual pursuits,
have been those who have CAME up
through the tribulation OF poverty !,
itfany of whom have not only been
poor as we ordinarily count poverty,
but have absolutely felt the pinchings
OF hunger. II, then, the stlmulent
Of necessity has pushed forward to
surprising results those possessed OF
il genius and enthusiasm for other
enterprises; why should it not pro.
ducc equally favorable results upon
the teacher?
But, it may be said, it cannot be
expected that the same enthusiasm
will be envoked from the limited wa
gees paid to teacher, the uncnviable
distinction ofpedagogry? as would be
produced by the fees Of the lawyer,
the salary OF the Clergyman, or the
income of the physician, together
with the admitted dignity of these
professions. In reply it is asked,
Ii IN instance can be recalled, in the
later history of the common school
work; in which a teacher has been
permitted to retire from school
where he or she had success sfully
mastered tile situation, and had per-
fected an organization such as to
render the chances hundred to one
that no equal successor could be
found--provided any salary, at all
proportioned to the ability Of the
patrons to pay, was sufficient to
retain teacher Of this character?
Teachers who, by their energy Of
character and tcnacity of purpose,
have brought themselves to this stand
will never be without employment,
and that, too, Mt salaries comparing
favorably with any salaries in the
country. Such teaehers seldom com
plain Of poor pay, and they seldom
look in vain for situation,
There is no arbitrary statute fix
ing the fees Of a lawyer, the salaries of
clergymen, or the charges OF the
physician. These are graded by the
services they have the capacity To