The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1875-09-08

Gubs 'cphemera.'
'R. C." is at sea again in his Unwar-
ranted attack on the State Board of Edu>
cation in their effort to produce uniformi-
ty in the text books used in the public
schools. He must be aware from his own
experience in the school room, unless he
belongs to that class who 'never learn,
and never forget if he will permit
himself to look beyond the precincts O.
his own most magnificent opinion-that
every new teacher must have new books,
rejecting with professional disdain the
books Used 10y his predecessor entailing
a heavy, and at the same time a very
useless, expense upon the patrons of the
school, Eiany of whom are in straight
ened circumstances, and barely able to
buy one set of books. IN justice to the
people then, some power should put an
end TO the frequent changes of books. if
r. c. does not The people will aPpreci-
ate it.
Pellets of mud are easily made, and
easily thrown. They more frequently how
ever, mark the thrower than the one
thrown at. AS no system is without it's
errors and abuses, the presence Of either
or both in the system of County Exami
ners and District Trustees as existing in
Kentucky is by no means matter Of
surprise But shall we on this account re-
ject both, or substitute the one for the
other? Experience and common reason
say no. A true regard for the public
good, indicates that instead of this sense
less and persistent fault finding, we ex-
ert ourselves to our utmost to correct all
abuses as they appear Admitting that
the appointment OF our Examiners de-
ponds sometimes more on lavoritism than
ability, it may be to secure an additional
boarder, more trade at store, or an ex~
ira fee at court, or that the election of a
Commissioner is sometimes the natural IT.
suit of sweetened whisky and a good DIN,
ner, it does not by any mode OF argu
ment follow that the system is therefore
bad and should be forthwith abolished.
These are but abuses and need correc-
ton.
&c. NJ. r." is right in some particu>
lars, and wrong IN many others. have
time at present to notice but one Of his
positions, he says, "As the law now
stands, we, in effect, have but few truss
tees. The whole matter of choosing a
teacher is thrown on the district at large
An election or two must be called. Ri
valry among teachers encouraged-rival-
ry in regard to price, (the Italics are his),
and not qualifications, &c" Now let US
enquire into the cause or course of the
grievances Of which the gentleman makes
such sad complaint That he says is
prima facia true, but it is to be feared
that he belongs to that very delectable
class who eternalIy thrust themselves be-
fore the public with growl of discon-
tent, hoping thereby to hide the material
maneuver OF right shoulder shift, 10y
which ! mean a shifting of grave respon-
sibiities on 10 some one else's shoulders,
a disreputable trick to say the least of it.
The truth. though dlsagreeable, must be
told. 1t is this, that among teachers there
is little or no professional honor, no pro
fessional dignity in their intercourse with
each other. The general disposition i;
to underrate and underbid each other
and this too, without the least effort or
the part OF the Trustee to encourage ri.
valry." For instance, a well qualified
teacher applies for a school at C--,anC
agrees with the Trustees of that Distric
to serve the public at $50 pei
month. The contract is not closed
but the understanding between them
is sufficiently definite to leave tn,
impression on the teacher
mind that he has secured a stu
alton. A, who resides in that District
and who is by nature regular marplot
and by profession is part teacher, par
farmer, part cattle driver and part wha
you please, proposes to take the troubl
of the other teacher for $40 per month
B. who taught one session, and gave gen
eral dissatisfaction offers to teach it 70
$50. The Trustee cannot with any hop
of escaping censure employ the first, tn
others perhaps are not employed, on &C
count of their unpopularity, and the mucI
abused officer is forced TO give the schoo
to some little girl or halfgrown boy ever
way unqualified, at SD per month an
boarding round. Now whose fault
this? 1t is very pleasant TO shift it iron
the teacher to the Trustee, but the iaul
is not with the latter, nor with the people
nor in the system itself. 1t manifest
is in a want of professional honor, an ut
ter disregard Of those nice little profession
al amenities which should prevent on
teacher from interfering with the bust
ness transactions of another, it is the ma
ural result Of the contemplate practic
among teachers to backbite, under-rat
and under>bid each other
1t is to DE hoped the situation will nc
improve until teachers fully recognize til
the fact that teaching is a profession