Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1875-06-08
LETTER FROM IKABLEToWN.
KApIrrowN. w. Va. .June q 1875.

hABLEfOWNss w. Va, d une =, 1910.
Mr.. Editor Our section Is SO near to
your place, that communication from 1t,
when viewed in the columns of your valuable
paper, will appear NO doubt familiar in many
respects, to parties In this locality. Were
one to write from here of the scarcity of
money, (hard times, or the poor prospect for
large harvest, he would only be reproducing
disagreeable truth: Despite the effects Of
stern Old Winter, few of our farmers have
good wheat. Among these are Messrs W.
o. Norris, A. E. Davis, Hall Wilson and
Logan Osburn. The wheat in Clarke county
isyery poor. Many of the farmers will scarce
ly make the seed. refer to that portion of
Berrysiiie pike. saw It very lately, willis
on my way to Berfyyiiae to interview the
Ross family. But loi it was false report It
seems, for they are scot free. The indulgence
of seeing was the chief stock in trade in
Berryyille, for one could hear more outside,
than in the place. The prospect for crop
of fruit is poor with us /; but we are well sup
piled with Colorado Bugs, aud may have a
visit from the grasshoppers before fall, for
they only have one state (Kentucky) to cross
before reaching West Virginia. They will
have rough time crossing the Allegheny
mountains 1 think.
The public schools in this district have
closed, and propose to mention in this con-
nexion some items in regard to them, which
may do for consideration and digestion
. This institution, if rightly applied, will
prove great moral and intellectual power.
All will agree in admitting that the most
important feature to the successful operation
of these schools, is good teachers. And that
the more that shall be done to sustain and
lead them to maintain high self respect, the
more will they do 10 make good their title to
it by endeavoring to improve themselves,
thereby better fitting them to fill properly
very responsible positions.
The general time oroperating these schools
in each year IS from eight TO ten months. In
cases where they are in operation only eight
months, many small children are debarred the
opportunity OF attending near two months in
the year, and the teachers are thrown out of
employment for four months
Allowing ouly SO per month for board,
their necessary expenses will be $40 during
vacation and allowing them this sum per
month while employed will make their gross
income 1920. Deduct from this. SO per
month only, for twelve months, and it will
leave net income of $500 per year.
We own, that this sum is far too much for
a mere adveuturer, who watches for times and
opportunities to shuttle off his hands his duties,
and merely tries to make time but for one
who is experienced, sincere, and thoroughly
qualified as he ought to be, it is mere pit
lance, if We err not in judgment. Such as
the latter are public beuetactors, whose in
fuence will be felt and acknowledged in
future, both morally aud intellectually, and
whose services ought to be remunerated so as
to admit of his accumulating a little more
than 81 900 in five years at very extravagant
figures; nearer $500 when all is considered.
The former character, who tries to make
time, &C., is a public nuisance, and the sooner
a community is rid of him the better. If ones
business is to teach, he will not be able to
engage in any business which he can COM
mencs and quit in the space of two, three or
four months, with any hope of success or profit.
A prevalent notion exists to the effect that
teachers are mere hackneyed servants of the
people, who are entitled to little consideration
unless on the score Of seeing that they shall
pander to many of the various notions Of those
who send children to them.
This theory is moro prevalent than many
may suppose, who make fair allowance for
the existence of reason among men.
We assert, that the duties of teachers arc
honorable, arduous, and very trying morally,
physically and intellectually.
The legislature of this State has mag
unanimously required % days for scholastic
month, which are more than are in the months
on an average, exclusive of Saturdays and suns
days.
Will any one remove the grievances of
teachers if they have any? Surely they
ought to have channel of representation
They have none, that I am aware Of They
ought to make themselves known, and heard,
and to this end they ought to hold conven-
tions. In this county, they ought to hold one
previous to the beginning of the next scholas
tic year.
Perhaps. some who will read this may say,
a teacher has been shutting off his surplus
ideas. say the truth cannot be gainsayed,
aud dare you, Mr.. Critic, to try to establish
the errer of these assestions.