Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-07-29

sl.70 Is three months, or % for az months.
- The nso'ey TO pay for TIE tins rsrars ID
nsssa On az cases occonsppy TIE ordw. OGhsr.
wise ne paper oosssot be seu.
The Tenure OF the Teachers once
We have had occasion heretofore to refer
10 the progress of oar public schools. To
whom is this due? We would not forget
those faithful trustees who have devoted
their time and talents TO this work, aud who
VIII long be held IN grateful remembrance.
But their laoors would have been In vain
without the CO operation OF the teachers. 1t
is the highest pride OF our city schools that,
while lacking the al vantages OF many others,
without high, or, TIL recently, a normal
school, they have raised up corps of teach
ers, who have, In turn, repaid them for the
education bestowed by carrying forward the
good work, and yearly adding to the value
ofouI educational facilities.
They have done this, too. under great dis
advantages. Our shifting population, many
OF whom hold their residence elsewhere and
have not the interest in any OF our irstitu-
lions that would be manifested by those who
claim this as their home; our com parative
poverty, destitute as we are of great manu-
featuring and commercial Interests, those
sources OF wealth; the recent date at which
common schools began to be truly appre-
ciated here;-tnese and other causes have
Murdered the progress OF our schools.
Yet our teachers have triumphed over
even these obstacles, aud our schools
are the monument 10 their ability,
fidelity and zeal. All honor to them
Honor? No. Neither honor nor gratitude is
due; they have had their pay. HIrelIngs,
they have done their WORK, taken the pit
lance allowed them, aud they have no
further claim on us. None, that Is, that one
Of
recognize. Such Is the spirit now to rule,
this the feeling which the dispensers OF
patronage are TO cherish towards their de-
pendents. sympathy with or for the crea-
lures OF his bounty wolld be weakness In
one OF those, who, by some special favor of
Providence, have been vouchsaled to MS To
correct the evils from which our schools have
30 long been suffering. AMI who, By mira Gu
lous intuition and superhumsn wisdom, are
ABLE, Without entering school, to see and
correct errors that have csc aped the gaze of
their predecessors who were obliged to de-
pend on observation and Investigation for
their knowledge.
Yet, perhaps we may be pardoned for hum
bly presuming 10 take issue with these gen
ttemen, and We believe that those most In
1erested in our schools will agree with US.
although they have been told that they have
nothing 70 do with the subject, and that their
wishes will not1 considered. We venture
10 believe that the former system was the
better-thst a teacher once appointed should
be retained so long as qualified aud efficient,
ana that, III he has no claim on the school
The school has claims on him SO long as he in
willing TO serve II, and that IL is q crime
committed against the children OF this city
10 take from them the teacher who has faith.
Iully done his duty and Is still able to per-
1ormi IL. We believe III a course that would |
convert the daily companioas, counseIlors.
exemplars, and guides OF our children from |
independent, self respecting, honored EQUALS |
10 the condition of hirelings or msndicants,
can nave but one effect, TO overthrow all |
mat is best and noolest in our educational /
system. This the new plan Will accomplish /
Tor our schools The language OF one OF the /
reappointed teachers, one OF the best in her |
grade, illustrates this. She said, q fe " DAVIS
ago, Formerly the trus wers looked /
upon as our friends; now we seldom see one.
And the superintendent, when he comes gen. /
orally scolds and threatens. At the close OF /
the year We knew that we would be reap-
pointed, unless we had been notihei by the
trustees To the contrary; now we look for the
report OF The annual meeting with dread,
not RIO wing who may have been dropped
without warning or cause"
On the trustees the effect is, IL possible,
L
teachers subservient have become the slaves
OF their own fears, and aiming to appear
grand have made themselves contemplate
Processing TO have the good OF the schools at
heart, every step they have taken proves
their selfish disregard Of everything but their
own interests and prejudices.
But another evil threatens. The system OF
annual appointments, as now to be carried |
out, makes at the end Of each year as many
vacancies as there are schools, and gives |
them as spells TO those who may succeed in |
securing appointments as trustees. Already |
one fragrant case OF favoritism mas occurred |
where trustee has provided for a.frfend In
direct disregard OF law. This Is but the first: |
If the new plan shall be pursued many more
will follow. True, but few changes have |
been threatened; 1t would not be prudent to |
begin with many; but some of those are so
unjust, and so evidently prompted By IN
worthy motives, that they warn us what we |
are TO expect.
From all parts OF the land the outcry |
against laws requiring annual elections has |
been long and loud. Some legislatures have |
needed IL and made longer terms optional,
and school boards have Ia Ken advantage OF
this legislation to elect for the maximum |
periods. But here q course condemned by |
The best educators Is ID be adopted. II car
ried fully into execut ion we shall see our /
most valuable teachers leaving us, while \
from year 70 year, as trustees change, ap- |
pointments will be made SIS party managers |
dictate or personal friends suggest. And so |
Our public schools will fall into decay and be |
worthless except as they afford salaries for /
those who can find 10 other emp loyment /
Elsewhere.
General Logan doesn't have very good |
N.