The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1876-03-10
THINGS WHICH STATISTICS SHOW.

IuOllC SCHOOLS lOr MUlLuOmdl county,
has furnished and caused to be pub
lished in the OregonidH an article con-
cerning the history Of the public schools
of the county, which is the result of
careful endeavor, and is replete with in
terest.
In the brief review of the early his
tory of the schools, we find that "during
1858 and 1854 the schools received no
notice at the hands of the public press.
We find no advertisements, no leaders,
no nothing to indicate that the SOW
ereign people had a child" Shortly
after this, however, the schools began
to receive more attention, men and
women toiling faithfully, although at
great disadvantage, to institute and
b maintain schools that should meet the
demands of the growing population.
This interest in educational matters has
continued to increase, until we find now
within the city limits of Portland
schools to which her citizens can COM
NIT their children with pride and conf
dence. We quote from the report:
During the last few years several important
changes have been wrought in the general
management of the schools of Portland. The
twenty-six schools have been thoroughly
graded, a system of semi-annual examinations
instituted, city superintendent appointed,
the buildings enlarged, and the school furniture
improved. Carefully prepared rules and regu-
lations define the duties of teachers and schol-
and cOOfrO1 absnntaefSun a and tardiDpSS
The grade work is closely defined, and the
High School, with four efficient instructors,
graduates yearly class of well-educated young
women and men. The people OF Portland an
nually vote liberal tax for education, and
thus place the schools on a footing of equality
with the best in the United States. The teach
ers are all of high order and ample experience;
none more efficient and earnest can be found
anywhere. Nothing short of general calamity
to the country can disturb the stability and
progress of public education in our midst. We
think that the next ten years will indicate by
growth in intelligence, order, and character as
community, and by the diminution of crime,
the wisdom of the expenditures for the educa-
ton Of the people.
OF all this, the entire community are
and have right to be proud. But what
else? The district clerks annual report
is also published, and we consult that to
find the proportion of the work in the
schools that women do, and the proper
tion of pay they receive for their services,
and we find it. First we find, Number
of teachers employed, males, s; females,
90" Of these, all of the former and IA
of the latter hold first-grade certificates,
from which it is presumable that each,
so far as education goes, is as well quail
iied to impart instruction as the other.
Next we find, Average amount of
salary paid male teachers per month
during the year, $l,135 As; average
amount paid female teachers per month
during the year, $1,312 90" Think of
it! Eight men receive within SIG rs
as much money for services rendered in
one month as twenty women receive for
equal service. And the difference is de-
fined as male and female labor. AS if
labor had sex, we see in every report of
this kind the most invidious distinc-
tions, the most unjust Determinations,
and in this connection the question
arises, Why, if these Determinations
are necessary, they are always made in
favor of men? Why, except from the
fact that we read farther on, that the
number of illegal voters" in this district
is 1879, and realize that in this count
the women are counted out. Who, in
view of this simple item of injustice,
will have the hardihood to say that
men legislate wisely and justly for the
interests of women? Who believes that
the 20 women who do most of the drudg-
cry in the public schools would be thus, in
proportion to the men who work with
them, meagerly paid, if they did not be-
long to a disfranchised class? In the
burdens and tolls that have brought our
public schools to their present eminence,
the records show that women have al
ways and bravely borne their part.
Nay, few who have toiled from nine
o'clock until twelve and from one until
four in room crowded with restless
Juvenile humanity, but will say that in
their positions as teachers women have
more than done their part. Those who
will take the trouble to visit the vari-
Gus school-rooms of the city to-day,
finding the women teachers-the lower
the grade and the less the pay, the more
certainly is this so-with hands over
full, yet working faithfully and with a
cheerfulness that is invincible, the men
teachers with fewer pupils and ample
room, working just as faithfully but
not half so hard, will be compelled tc
acknowledge that the women perform
much the larger part of the labor
1t is a disgrace to a community tc
have these labors designated as "male
and female labor" a double disgrace tC
discriminate .unjustly in the salaries o.
teachers because of their sex. Think o.
it once again, women; you who have al
the rights you want; you whose daugh.
ters must earn their own bread; you
who must earn your living, and Vol
who, safe in sheltered homes, have
learned to look on injustice with indif
ference. This is the way it reads, "Num
Der of male teachers, s; number of fe
g3a0Io faoobars on. o,,o-,r.. o.-.....-s =