The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-11-21
TO TIRE MEN OF NEW ORLEANS.
A woNAN'S APPEAL.

We are in receipt of communication, and
this communication, which we append is well
worthy the sober and serious consideration OF
every true man in this great city of New Or
leans.
Time and time ag in has the BULLETIN called
the attention OF the people to the condition OF the
Public Schools, to the outrageous actions of the
School Board, deliberately conceived and boldly
executed, in defiance Of the protests OF the
people.
Time and time again hiss the BULLETIN called
ibis same School Board to account for the indig-
mites, and insults, and wrongs which they have
heaped upon our community, and
appealed to our people to avenge and right them
but the men Of New Orleans seem to have lost
that sensitiveness which once characterized
them, and in the hope of stirring them to action,
we submit this,
woMAN's APPEAL,
and if it does not move them, and particularly
those men who have children attending the pub
lie schools, then, indeed, have they sunk lower
than we ever thought they would:
The teachers were told "that by having 20
per cent of the vacation salaries OF 1875 deducted
they would be more promptly paid for September
and following menths." Events have proved
this statement false. Ny God are we to teach
forever for next to nothing-while the men of
New Orleans stand with folded arms and see us
g! ound down by the injustice heaped upon us.
We work faithfulfy-(we speak only for those
known and tined teachers, not for the recruits
ofthe corps)-and we want our just pay We do not
and would not belong to that questionable list Of
the few, who can get large advances on their GER
tifcates from convenient male friends. Nor will
We be insulted further by directors who tell us
"to resign" If we dare murmur. We have just as
good right as they to earn living and as per-
feet q right to demand our just pay for honest
labor performed. No private firm would dare
10 treat it's employees as do the members OF the
Board the teachers.
Resign! yes, we would most gladly, were any
other avenues open to US hence the cowardice
of these same directors when they know how
utterly we are in their power. Trample upon us
because we are women and helpless to better
ourselves or assert our rights. We are still
owed for September, October, November and De-
cember of 1874; for June, July, August, Septem
Der, October, and nearly November, 1875; ten
long months Compute the depriyations, the
loss OF buying on credit, the notifications en-
dured, the actual loss by sales of certificates,
and the heavy rate of twenty-four per cent in
terest per annum on amounts borrowed from
brokers, and you have only faint idea at last of
what we endure. 1t is absurd to tell there is no
money. Do Brown, Boothby, Calhoun Il Co.
ever fail to receive their dues or lose cents dis
count on their warrants? We know they do not
What better right. have they to be SO favored
than the teachers?
Only this: the ropes are all in their own hands
while the teachers salaries offer rare chances for
speculation. Ii this not So how comes it III at
brokers seek the certificates and then cell them
to other unknown parties, and certificates are
put down at starvation prices? Again, where
does the money come from to furnish sll the dif-
ferent Offices so elegantly, if not from the school
fund? In former times two plainly furnished
rooms were ample enough for the wants Of ali
the force Of officers, and then the schools were
well conducted. Too much red tape and Brus-
sells carpets now for justice to reign. Suppose
the citizens take the matter in their own hands
and see where the money goes to, and. if delay
must occur, make all share it alike-Brown,
Boothby Il Co., as well as the teachers.
Mind you, this injustice has grown to be a
hydra-headed monster Of iniquity Of six years'
DURATION and nothing but stern measures will
ever end the fearful hold it has upon u5. We
want the men of position and character to take
hold Of the question. They groan under heavy
taxes, while we give au-heaIth, strength, time,
work and get almost nothing in return. They
do have moments of ease and rest; we none, OR
from the sums received being SO small we are de-
priyed of everything, and rtil far into the small
hours Of the night to meet the pressing wants of
our homes. For the sake OF your manhood DONE
let it be longer said that the women of New Or
leans are to continue to be the prey of rascals
and sharpers and their hard earned salaries 90
10 fatten the k4aYes who govern them.