The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-08-02

also feel very much aggrieved Mt being
obliged to pass an examination. This class
should be examined without an exception. for
1t is exactly right in their midst that the
Weakness OF our schools exists. Most of them
owe their appointment or promotion to tho
hepubllcan school boards, and appointment
anu promotion with them was really always
me the result OF favoritism or political favor
seldom were they influenced by justice, as
hundreds OF our best teachers can testify. who
lo5t tnelr places to make room for some
favored protege Of those immaculate gentIe-
men. e''"
That this class should oppose examinations
cannot be wondered at, for It porten.ls dangn,.
to them. The writer knows many Of them
that are wholly unable to spell correctly have
not the faintest idea OF what grammar Il md
IN the other branches are more medoere than
to And very cry pthplls thp whom they pretend to teach
the article signed Open Eye" would give
these the preference Of graduates. thinj{ing
mat their long experience fully compensates
1or their tltte book knowledge
AS the office. Of teacher Is to mpart book
knoWledge, and as book knowledge cannotbe
impaired except by master Of books. it Is a
coit2ilia.ry that The man not fully eonversant
Will VIII DOCKS I; can never be teacher in the full
Sege nnre q than a4e WORD Isaehipg is something
lessons, the discipline Of pupils, the super
vision OF teachers, and the making ont ri re-
ports, 1t Is thorough Knowledge of the
prahches sl' taught, the ability to open the mind
each lesson IL Open Eye" were called iinon
TO teach geometry, and had only stIperfcial
knowledge OF the science, he would eertainiv
noI De it person to be appointed professor
q q geometry And In like manner, the person
that cannot pass good examination in tho
branches, taught In grammar schools. must
necessarily be unqualified for u grammar
school position. e''"'''"'
We might except from the examination in
gseGgramphy, s m Tor Instance, such questions as
ca, or name all the affluents of the nj. Law
renee river" etc, because such n,Inatione
need only little memory on the part Of the
examined TO be answered and do not require
phy A1hDwGsage sa gw p me principles Of geogra
treat mostly OF dates. A parrot could bo
made to answer such. But all those falling to
pass an examination embodying the priI1ei-
PIES q u Inc branches TO be taught should not
Ofco,1fse this may seem hard. but il is inet
and Justice should ever be paramount r. III
other considerations. ~ "''
~ ls an error to suppose that the majority
experience. On tho contrary. thev are N nor. W.
sons who have taught, and with success. As
already stated, many OF them lost their
Races pa When the Republicans had control Of
it tcal sSGs fraads dslnpy @ because & they had no po
tions. ''~'f posi-
reform has been the cry for MANY montbs
and reform is what was wanted BY our peo,
PIE when they cast their votes for the Demo
cratic party. 1t we do not exercise it in that
department which moulds the citizens Of o,r
state, We are recreant TO our trust and nm
worthy OF confidence hereafter Let the
schools SCI be carefully organized; let teachers
education will be felt throughout the Is1nnth oh
and breadth of the State as one Of the best
aids to peace and prosperity 'o '''''
Respectfully, AnAu