Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1877-09-06
The Daily Press and Dakotaian
1,.r us1,rs or TEACHERS.

BOWEN KlNGSBURY, Publishers.
TME pvI,Es OF TEACHERS.
Before q Territorial Institute.
Being convened a. to some extent rep
resentatives' ots DAkota's school interests I
hold it fitting that some time Ike spent in
conaidering the mutual duties and relations
Of all parties concerned. Various are the
Interests to be considered. There is the
territorial superintendent, the able general
who ID to plan and direct the campaign
against ignorance; there are his captains,
the county snperintendents, who either
co-opsaate vie him or skirmish around
eaehsoa his ovnhook, and keep out Of his
sight q much Is possible; under them are
the teachers, the corporals of the great army
Of knowledge, who do not always like to
train under the captain who appoints them /;
and lowest of all, the pupils, forming the
rank and file who really have to do the
hardest Of the fighting.
These all have their peculiar relations to
each other; and any member thereof may
often find reason to ponder carefully the
questions, what are the precise rights and
privileges I may demand from others And
what are the exact duties others may claim
from me Everytsacl,er has at some in
portant juncture longed fora better know
ledSe of these rights aud duties. In all
perplexities, the Law is our sole guide.
When tossed on the waves of doubt and
trouble, it is our chart, compass aud anchor.
Not that little incomplete chapter Of Oak.
ota legislation alone, but the larger law Of
the country derived from decisions OF learn
ed judges. But We seldom will need to
consult the lawyer upon these nice distinc-
lions, and in ordinary cases it is enough to
study the statute given us, and decipher its
dark places by the lamp of common sense.
Offices are often said to be not originally
created to furnish fat situations to idlers but
becauee there was business to be done for
the public. The same idea needs explain
ing to teachers that the whole system Of
districts, taxes, teachers, and supervisors
was not created to keep usfrom idleness, nor
TO give sinecure situations where poor
pay is given for much poorer services but
that a great and noble purpose underlies the
system. 1t is a purpose grand in its past
and grander in its future achievements.
This purpose throbbed in the breasts Of our
colonial ancestors and breathed in their
earliest laws; it stood forth prominent in
that law of congress passed May 20, 1855,
ninety-two years ago, which declared that
the western lands should be surveyed into
these townships and sections, and that "sec.
ton l6 of every township should be reserved
for the support of public schools" This
national purpose declares from age to age
the principle that fires education shall be
secured to all the people; that u you'll
must not grow up in ignorance.
This then is the spirit of the school law
in brief; but is it not discouraging to SCI
how far the ordinary schools Of the country
fall short of the grade Of education con
~.emplated in the law? Memory pictures t.
us the best schools Of early days in NOR
favored localities, in bright contrast to thu
weak efforts around Us. Who can ther
help being spurred to new e~xertion by tn,
stern self-inquiries, IT'S any Of this apath,
to be laid to my charge? Have l fitted
myself thoroughly and done my work con
s~cientiously? Have I ever in my ignoranc,
been a hindrance to the progress of a school
while pretending to lead it onward? Have
l ever usurped a place I could not fill, ane
kept out some truer and ADLER person whit
would have filled it with fidelity"
Such questions may we'll be pondered BY
many . person in Dakota and elsewhere
and how can it-fail TO suggest the words, II
were better for him that a milestone wert
hanged about his neck, and he cast into the
sea, than that he should offend one of these
little ones"
The law defines most Of our general dutie.
pertaining to the business of public educa
ton. Such and such things must be done
whoever does otherwise is subject t
some definite penalty. Every code 9
law must be backed by its prope
series Of punishments. Beginning wit
the lowest round Of the ladder, the pupil
duty is to keep order and obey the teacher
directions, and the latter has his remedies
slight or severe, for each infraction.
But Is this al that may he done?
vicious boys are forced IN as pupils of som
quiet scholarly teacher, setting all disciplir
at defiance and heading & general mu:in.
does the law of Dakota compel the teach'
10 whip the rascals. or resignst If any ha,
thought so, it was q sad error, for the teac
er's proper remedy is in the statute. VIII
ever shall disturb or break up any lawf
gathering Of people, whether met for wo
ship, study or politics, is guilty Of a mi
demeanor; and misdemeanors may he pu
ished in the proper method of criminal la
AGO So-.o -os -.