New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-09-14
OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

| uuh PuBLIC SCH00LS.
The various public schools of the city
were opened yesterday, and we learn thai
the attendance was as large as usual al
this season. Everywhere in the morning
were seen the happy-faced boys and girls
schoolward bound, beginning a new yea,
of study. Considering the drawbacks in
! the progress of education in the South,
| characterized by Dr. Sears as the unsettled
condition Of things, the sectional preiu-
dice against the popular education of all
classes, and the Catholic influence brought
to bear against the public school system
generally, the schools of New Orleans are
yet something to be proud Of. They
educate the masses, and upon them the
Welfare OF the city greatly depends. Cities
that thrive and hold their places in the
world ale cities which have educated their
children. The most expensive schools
are cheaper than prisons. Start a boy
right in the world with such an education
as good public school affords. and the
chances are that he will do well. Schools
should be free from religious isms and
political bias. There should be in them
no priests recruiting for churches, and no
''Derrys History of the United States, -
lauding secession and the rebellion and
teaching the superiority of States rights.
Schools at most only lay the foundations
for an education that must be continued
through life time They teach the child
how to study and the college does the
same for the man, in more abstruse
branches of the sciences. The foundation
must be laid well, and have nothing
doubtful or objectionable in its compost
ton.
The appointment Of teachers for the
coming scholastic year has been attended
by as many difficulties, vexations and dis
appointments as usual. It would doubt
less be wise plan to make teachers
appointments perpetual, or to continue in
force until the appointee be removed for
cause. This would encourage old teach
ers to renewed efforts As now, when the
term closes, teachers have no guarantee of
being again employed. Rotation in Office
does better in any department than that
of education. The school does as much
for the teacher as for the pupil, and time
in the duties Of teaching brings. valuable
experience. There are those who count
so much upon experience that they would
prefer old teachers to young ones who
would probably do as we'll. We
believe all Of the teachers ap-
pointed this year are competent
to Eli the positions to which they have
been elected They will be poorly enough
paid, and they need the money for which
they must work hard to get. There are
hundreds of others who made applications
for appointment and have been disap-
pointed, and they are no less worthy or
needy than those engaged. There are
those left out who, We are free to say,
should have been appointed, simply for
the good work they have done in our
schools. and considering the necessities of
none, and regarding only the claims of
the people to have teachers for their chill
dren who have been tried and found faith
ful. When so many desire to teach, and
all applicants have strong friends press
ing their appointment, there is no rule
which the school board might adopt likely
to please all. Our desire is to have few
of the old teachers re-employed; others,
as much entitled to speak, would prob
ably claim places for many applicants who
are rejected only because there are no
places for them. Such preferences carry
no right TO condemn any of the teachers
appointed, all Of whom, We believe are
worthy and will prove efficient instruct
ors. If any Of them do not come up to
the requirements Of their positions, by
all means let them be removed and others
put in their places.