The New York herald., 1876-10-13
What the Unmarried Ladies Have to
Say on the Question.
VIEWS OF COMMISSIONER BEARDSLEE.
Opinions OF Commissioner Wilkins and Ber.
nard Smyth.
A FULL DIS USSION,

son Of marriage Is, as might be supposed, ono that
would interest all the male female teachers TO
great degree; but considering that 1t comes home
forciby to couple OF thousand young ladies' the
amount OF consideration gwen to it be easily
imagined. From careful calculation from
reports made IL would appear that the great
majority of the young misses deadly
opposed 10 their poor unfortunate sisters
bound In the chains OF wedock. This i'll feeling is,
may be readily secn very selfish These young ladies
have a little share of envy. The married female
teachers continue TO enjoy tho sympathy Of the Com
missioncrs and detection reported among those
who have already espoused their cause Very bitter
things said by the unmarried lady teachers about
their married sisters, such "why ddn't they look
for themselves" +" &c all Of which show that
the agitation which has sprung up viii have healthy
influence in making tho lady teachers of tho city APP
ply the advice 10 themselves.
VIEWS COMMISSIONER BgARDsLKK
Commissioner Beardslee called at his Office No
LOG Broadway and asked for his views. Mr. Beardslee
N member OF the committee on bylaws which has
this matter in charge, and no hesatcd
10 say anything, alleging that while he had his
opinion on the question it might be considered nju-
dicious for him TO declare 1t in advance especially
much remained to be heard by way argument from
both sides The HERALD representative ventured to
assure the Commissioner ,hat this was a ques-
lion upon which committees report was
not at all likely TO change the views entertained
by individual commissioners and that the report to be
presented would very likely be the suggestion of
different views entertained by the different members
Of the committee. Mr. Beardsleo then drined into
discussion OF tho arguments Tor and against the pro-
posed exclusion OF married teachers from the schoos
He said he did not think II possible in the Board of
Education to pass law which would swccpingy dis
mss all the married teachers and exclude them
in tha fulur fron halu
the Board. This would be maniiesuy upjus.
and ho believed would not be at all enter
lained. There certain strong arguments
Tor the better arrangement OF discipline in schools
where some OF tho married teachers were employed,
and IL seemed 20 him that the whole question turned
upon the best method OF meeting this difficulty. 1t
to exclude married teachers ogethor
In order to meet the Objectionable features No
vcnences could in tho schools, and the trustees
of the various wards 1t that when married lc-
male tcacLcrs were not In condition 10 teach they
should be excused IRON attendance and q substitute
put in their places at their expense. There would,
of course some littic drawback In the general
efficiency Of the schools by temporary withdrawal OF
teachers who had already their classes good working
order but then this would be Of very slight
compared with the great would done
by making general rule TO Tho effect that married
teachers, because they about become mothers
become
because they married and had encum-
branccs, should be excluded from holding posi-
tions in the schools IL seemed to HIM that tho
local trustees, subject somc supervisory
authority by the Committee Teachers the Board
woati be able act in the way in every
that might arise. This was the simplest method TO
sdop and the most effective to avoid injustice either
10 the ladies to the schools ''some OF the argu
mcnts" continued Mr. Beardslce against the married
icachers unsound II was a well known fact that
many OF The best conducted schools in the city
presided by married female teachers These
ladies may not be mothers or, at all events may not
have the OF infants; but thcn trust that the
Board OF Education is not going to legisate in
any wsy upon a delicate this and thereby
bunder into difficulties that might pe rcgrcttabe
As have said the way this question is
10 avoid all general laws and 10 apply the simple test
OF proper discipline In the schools in every instance
that might nrse.u The that would then happen
would be the necessity OF employing for sew
sral weeks substitute to take lilo place OF
accomplished teacher. This fact OF supe-
riority on the part OF the married ladies in tho
performance their professional duties certainly
Of some importance Itwas said that there was danger
OF tho schools becoming flied with married female
teachers and vacancies would occur If there
were not a restriction imposed Experience had
shown that nearly all the young ladies' who had got
married while teaching had resigned their positions
under Board. Those who had returned 10 them or
who were forced TO begin to teach again
rom unfortunate reasons which they could
aot themselves control tha exceptions
Out oil 1900 female teachers in the schools
!hcrc not moro than l60 or 10 married. and OF
these no believed there not twenty bearing
children at the present time 1t was therefore clear
lhat all the controversy in this matter simply
discussion of what concerned mere fraction OF the
Total numper OF lady teachers in the schools, and
there was no necessity Tor fears that any demor-
trom a lenicnt generous dealing with these women.
Recently few had occnrred which little
noticeable on account OF the ladies remaining the
schools longer than perhaps delicate sonse OF pro-
pricty might have uciacd; but then the OF
sseemng want OF good judgment, such theso in
stances presented. could be easily avoided by making
" imperative duty the part OF tho
dor ire retirement Of the lady whom er condition
likely TO excite comment among the scholars. But
the truth was that the in which there was
cause Tor complaint were noticeably few. hc
opposed TO making this subject the cause Tor extended
aepate. IL easy to understand the difficulties
tending II, aud the danger OF dong very great In.
Justice was manifest IT, everybody who would calmly
consider tho state OF the Experience would pre-.
vent tue adoption cf one proposition connected with
the question: prudence would suggest the adoption OF
little restriction In guarding against the possibility
OF offence to deicacy, and the whole matter might
then rest without unnecessary agitation. sufcient
attention called TO tho danger OF abuses and
the IN the wards well as the Committee
Teachors ~ the Board OF Educaton were nil gentle
were well qualified To deal with each
might arise with due regard for The teacher
the children IN the school He hoped that due
or prophet among the married female teachers
would DO Oi the results OF this All.
taiion, aud that their sense or delcacy would
prevent a public recurrence 70 the subisc,
IN the future lie did not believe there Single
one OF the married teachers who ought 10 lose her
place under The Board aid he think The on.
inissoners had any idea Of taking actiop that would
cause the resignation OF any OF these teachers of
passing law that would IN any way interfere with
Them In heir positions. In his opinion tho
be pursued by tho Board would take wider range
this matter than defining the duties OF the local
trustees and, perhaps the passing OF rule locating
the authority IN the Board, which would be lnal in
dealing With particularly dItlcult cases
COMMISSIONER HALsTHAD's OPINIONS
Commissioner naisioad called upon at his on CO,
No. 12y Broadway, ana hts views obtained. Mr. Hal.
stcads opinions almost exactly similar to those
OF Mr.. Beardsee. lie wac, he said, chairman OF the