The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1874-07-04
LEHIGHT0N, PA:
SATURDAY MORNING JULY 4, 1874.
school Board and Teachers.

School Beard and Teachers.
From what we have been able to learn
during the past few days, it appears to
.us.tbat portion Of the most intelligent
(?) members of our School Board have
determined to oppose the employment
of female teachers during the ensuing
term of our Public Schools, averring
"that no female shall teach in the new
school house if they can help it; that
they want strong able bodied male teach
ers who can thrash the children in a
satisfactory manner!" Hence it appears
that, in their opinion, the "power of
brute force" is the prin cipal qualifica-
tion to be looked for in teacher for
the schools of this borough. From this
it would appear that those intelligent
(?) members Of the board have concluded
that the only way to develope the mind
of the rising generation is to batter and
bruise the body; thatthe first and great
est qualification for a teacher for the
Lehiphton Schools must be a thorough
experience in the science of whipping
one, for instance, who has graduated at
the whipping post in the State of Della
ware. But according to article 1876,
page 90, of the School law, we do not
see how they can legally make such an
appointment. ''The employment of a
teacher without valid certificate from
the proper county superintendent, is
illegal; for the law says: "no teacher
shall be employed in teaching any
branch of learning other than those en-
enumerated in his or her certificatev"
The art or science of flogging children
is not of these enumerated branches,
hence we fail to discover, how the board
can legally appoint such an individual
to govern our schools, unless they in
their mighty (?) wisdom create a new
office, and appoint general aogger for
the schools, for we do not think our
amiable county superintendent will con-
sent to give certificate for flogging,
even to satisfy those very astute men,
bers of the board.
And now, let us see what the law
says in regard to the employment of
female teachers. Article 1877, page so,
says: "The opposition to female teach
ers, so prevalent in some counties, has
no foundation in reason or fact. The
truth is, that larger proportion of
women than men are qualified, by ma
ture as well as education, to impart
knowledge to beginners; and that when
equally educated, women are as capable
as men of instructing in the higher
branches. The mother is the first in
strpctor; and the sisterly mind of the
female teacher seems to be peculiarly
qualified to continue her instruction" !"
And yet in spite of all this, the would.
be wseacres of our School Board, de-
nounce the employment of female
teachers in our schools, declaring that
not one shall be engaged if they car
rule. They must employ whippers, and
yet we have not the least doubt if thell
own children were brought under the
discipline of the lash, they would be thC
first to hold up their hands in "holy
horror" and cry 'enough of that, Gu
children must not be degraded in thi
manner-the whip was intended TO
the children of otherS!"
Now, we would suggest to our Schoo
Board that they give liberal salaries t,
the teachers; that they get the bes
qualified male and female teachers the,
possibly can-teachers fitted men
tally and physically for the profession
and II the funds will not hold out t
glvens the best of teachers for ten month
school, then let us have a shorter term
Six months schools with properly quail
fed teachers will be much better tha
ten months-under teachers whose onl
qualification is that of being able {
whip and thereby degrade the childre
of the people of this borough. In til
name of the intelligent people of tn
community we demand at tie hands
our Directors that they employ goo
teachers for our Schools, no matt,
whether male or female. Our tax,
are paid for this purpose, and the ID
rectOrs are placed in position to use Il
peoples money for the best interest
the people.