The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-06-03
CRUELTY TO TEACHERS.

The subjoined note from lady in refer
ers, the school teachers, is worthy Of publ
cation, and we desire to call the special at.
tention Of the School Board thereto.
"What are you going to do about it, gentle
mem" Are these ladies with whom you
have contracted to be kept forever out OF
their wages, or is there hope of an early
settlement?
Verify the cruelty to which these delicate
laboiers and patient women are subjected
ought to move the sympathies Of men who
go into spasms of pain when they see a
turtle turned upon its back or an obstna tie
mule tickled into activity by whip.
| 1t would seem natural for human beings
to be moved to pity by the sutferings of
their kind, but strange as it may be, it is
nevertheless true that it is fashionable now
a-days for people to shed tears and whine
over the sufferings Of animals, but to regard
with IMPLYING stoicism the anguish Of
human beings. We are gratited to know
that Mr.. Bergh has either organized, or con-
templates the organization of, society for
the prevention Of cruelty to children, and
we would suggest to President Bernau the
propriety of getting up society for the
prevention of cruelty to school teachers,
who are infinitely more worthy Of the time,
trouble and sympathy he now expends upon
turtles and game chickens.
We are opposed to cruelty of any sort, but
we grow sick when we contemplate the
trouble taken to amelorate the sufferlngs
Of animals, and regard the thousands of ha
man beings around Us who are reduced to
the verge of starvation, and who can get
neither sympathy nor material assistance.
To the Editor of the New Orleans Bulletin
thus head my article. cruelty to teachers because
Their has lately been enforced law against cruelty
animals; and want to know if there cannot be some
thing done to prevent that long suffering class the
public school Teachers from being 80 cruelty deprived
ef their just pay.
Ny remarks not called forth from hearsay, but
from actual observation and personal acquaintance
with the martyrs themselves. l wish that the foun
tain Of pity would flow into the hearts Of those who
have all to say about heir pay wish they could
look into the homes of Of these ladies, and
the rigid economy which has to be practced to keep
the wolf from the door
Can any hire a servant for . certain sum per
month AMI expect tn M to work cheerful.y, faith.
pay? How then can it be expected that teacher
who works for her daily BIZ I'D. feel the same p
terest in her scholars, when at the end Of the month
the cry is No money to pay the teachers ?" and in
order to keep from drifting into the Of desrond
she is ICED to cling to the anchor Of hope which is
fast rueting away. And yet know of some who
strive earnestly to advance their Gas and who con-
scientifically fulfill their duty as teachers
1t is no easy task to sit five hours and half,
tending with sixty seventy different de,rees Of
intellect and many different dispositions. But If
Mrs so-and- SOS stupid and nattentive child does
not improve rapidly Mrs. Thus-and Sos smart,
studious child the teacher is apt t. be blamed by the
parent for lack Of care in instructing. Verify, the
ira ners Of the youthful mind have a hard road to
trsvel-and what thanks? After the arduous studies
of the scIOo-rOOm are over the wearied teacher,
with aching back and brain. goes to her home-for
what? In many cases to
stitch! Stitch Stitch"
to exc out the ng which her fifty dollars month,
nominaly, but twenty or twenty five, actually,
cording to the brokerage denies her and out of that
small amount houserent and other necessaries to
be paid for. teacher who is thorough lady, and
there many such WHO has been used to the refine
ments of life who has formerly known prosperity and
been accustomed to moving in good society. cannot
herd her family, consisting perhaps of botn sexes,
in two rooms seek house the outskirts OF the
city. among the abodes Of esroes and low whites,
for the sake of cheap remit Therefore, house large
enough to accommodate her family in orderly, re-
spectacle neghborhood cannot be had for less than
twenty or twenty five dollars monthly.
What then ia left from her SAL for other expenses
including her share of the contribution towards a
school picnic. and coll ton for the honorable men,
berS OF the School Board! How can she lay by any
thing against day of ckuess dismissal? Land |
lords give their houses rent Free neither can
the tradespeople give away their goods The hills will
be n and if the unfortunate schoolmstress can
not them she has the modification OF having her
credit refused.
My the guardians of the teachers salaries think |
Of these things; and when they sit their wefled
tables remember that there is many a teacher whose
food is insufficient to give her the needfu strength
with which to so on with her daily utine; and whose
health is falling i'll consequence. And all because the
salaries irregulary paid and the certificates when
obtained, sci for barely enough to keep roof
their heads; not mentioning clothes for their backs
speak not of those who have brothers or sons
working well as themselves, of those who hav
ing ia ght during the good old times Of formerly,
managed to lay by little something for present
gences but Of those who solely dependent their
school pay for support, who do not wish to be bur-
den to their friends should sickness come upon them
be buried by the corporation when they die They
each for their daily ead not for pastime pleas
ure; and if matters cannot be remeded, it would be
we'll for some rich philanthropst to erect teachers
home.
As regards the schools themselves, why are they
called free when TIE parents at the expense of
buying books for their children? Truly there should
be new American defner published that the people
may know the meaning of many words whose sigaif-
cations have changed in the last few years. especially
the dlfinitiOn of that title word AIE.H EA