The New York herald., 1876-10-01
MARRIED FEMALE TEACHERS
VIEWS OF PRESIDENT WOOD AND OTHERS IN
nroAIp TO THE QUESTION.

VIEWS OF PRESIDENT WOOD AND OTHERS IN
REGARD TO THE QUESTION.
HERALD reporter yesterday interviewed President
Wood in regard TO the mSrrase question now under
consideration by the Board OF Education President
Wood. IN answer TO questions. said as follows;-
.'This Is by no means subject OF consideration
to have ,hought for n long time past that when
female teachers marry they ought to give up their
positions in the schools because, having assumed new
and important duties, the umc and attention ought
TO bc devoted them They can't both eat their cake
and have i, and II they choose matrimonial life they
ought to abandon their school duties and salaries
When Tho proper result OF marriage cnsucs
II Is welt known that the mental as
well as the physical condition IS very
much changed; that there is tendency to rrtahilty
which OF all conditions OF mind s that least suitable
for teacher. And this condition exists from the
vory beginning Of pregnancy The very idea OF
woman in thai condition having to teach even young
children. growing girls and still worse growing boys,
ought in my opinion, settle the question Q;
the incompctency OF married women In this condition
TO ialhl efficiently their duties az teachers To tho
physical and mental incapac,tios arising from ths
state Of pregnancy TO be added the worries and
cares OF household, from the management OF which
tho married female teacher must be necessarily absent
for AZ least four or six hours every day. And
this latter objection holds with regard to married TO-
male teachers, whether they recently married or
matrons OF some standing from household cares
unmarried women for tho mos. part exempt, and
hence am Of opinioa that ladies without matrimonial
cares have their minds in fitting condition for
the education Of school children than ladies' whose
minds arc ana ought TO be occupied with their own
domestic affairs But, while thcre various views
upon the general question OF married teachers in the
Sch IN ms nj ,xould be 4
unIus. 10 those ladies' who already acting as
teachcrs other to legislaio married oil posi-
tons or TO pass any law preventing the marriage OF
those who are already teachers mean cmphatically
be In any way dcbarred IRON entering into matr
monal relations by tho fear OF losing her place II tho
future husband be worth his salt he will not allow his
iuturc vile 10 nurc herself by pursuing her pro cssion
teacher after nature requires sho should devote her
sof TO the duties Of maternity However, in regard TO
the iuture see no injustice whatever IN having by
law passed the effect that alter certain iuture date
all female teachers shall receive their appointments
subject to the proviso that upon their marriage they
shahthercby forfeit their position as teachers IN the
"Do You not think Mr.. Wood, that this would mill
tate against supply OF proficient tenchersy"
''No; because, so far as my somewhat extended OBJ
goes tho supply OF teachers that either is
teaching following tho Normal training which they
have already received, Is fully equal to any probable
demand"
.sWiil any action that may taken In regard to
this question affect tho married teachers under tho
Jurisdiction OF the Board at pressn,r'
mot at all believe that the Board would be quito
opposed TO any action relative to them. Whatever
cour-c may be pursued with regard to Mr.. FulIer's
resolution feel every confidence that the action OF
the Board will have no retrospectiv, effect"
s.Do you not think that the proposed legislation
looks as II the Commissioner thought matrimony was
mo l can only for myself. think the
young people get married the BETTER when they
have means to support themselves moderately aud
willing together 10 bear the necessary trials OF mar
ried liis. But II seems 10 me that with regard 10
teachers well with regard TO all other professions
conditions Of iie the means for the support Of both
ought to be supplied mainly by tho husband. The ed
ucatcd young lady teacher who allows herself TO DO
victmlzed by trying TO support husband from her
salary would bo great deal happier without him than
with him. In establishing such future legislation
have adverted above lie young lady teachers would
be relieved from the class OF sul,ors which have IN
dicnted."
der consideration and havo yet taken no definite
action by way OF preparation OF report TO tho Board
HOSEA b. PERKINS VIEWS
were thus expressed 20 a HERALD representatives.
"You have been connected with the public schools Of
this city for some ycnrs?'
Mr. PERKINS Yes; for tho last seventeen years,
through the different municipal changes, have been
connected with public instruction III New York. ana in
that time have recn intimately associated with such
H. Anthon and with the present Inspector Andrew
Mills. Mr.. Agnew Fordham Morris and other gentle
men or equal standing and character.
"You have, doubt, considered this question OF tho
employment OF married women as teachers. Now,
what is your opinion tho matter and what your
Of the atc resolution offered by one Of the Com
mlssoners this subjectYn
Mr. PERkrSs--I was associated with the Commits
soaer rho offered the resolution for number OF years
in tho local boards. and have no hesitation in
regarding him an agitator. think Tor our primary
departments married women are better qualified from
their closer acquaintance WITH and better knowledge OF
children to mpart instruction and 70 look after their
thousand little wants than young girls who
the business OF teaching at tho OF eighteen Teach
ing with married woman becomes the sober business
OF her lifc while tho single woman remains a teacher
only until she can better her condition by getting
RED and am sure blame her. Tor teaching s
q hard vocation at bost.
..What do you think OF the resolution ?"
Mr. PERKixs-I regard IL as "full OF sound and fury
signfying nothing" and do not think II will be
adopted by the and gcntIcman;y Committee
on bylaws TO whom It submitted, and that such
men as l3ea rdsey Wcsi Baker, Walker and Ha2lctno
know moro about system Of education ana It's re-
quiremcnrs than tho author Of the resolution.