Saint Mary's beacon., 1877-08-30
CoxxrSIcAIEp.
ST. CLExESr's BAY, Aug. -, 1877.
PUBLIC SCHOOL MATTERS.

N,.srs. Ei,tors II have never consented TO
trouble you with matter in which have had
no direct interest or with which was not in
some manner or other connected. True, like
other young uen, ! have been tempted to annoy
some of your readers with eAtravagant effusions;
and the why not is rather due TO fortune than
diSposition--nay even intention. The first and
last pubic controversy into which was drawn,
rather rom my position than 20 seek distinction
in such field, has ef-ctuaily cured me Of all
desire 10 contribute any ythirg 10 the columns O.
your paper; and except that duty calls and con-
science directs, should be buried in the blissful
oblivion o. silence.
| regret to say an truly glad that c;rcum-
stances have a; length opened In the eyes of Us
seachcrs and ~ the just and fair- r-minded men OF
our State and County. the serfdom Of our posi-
ton under the School law. Il cite as preemi-
ncnt the present retrogrsde movement Of our
schools and co, sider0d il next 10 impossible
that Mr.. Tucker and others said what they did
SAY IN the Institute Of IS, except in full view of
far more that should be said at more suitable
time, and, wha, has quellcd the spirit of truth,
will not just now presume TO answer.
II is not the part Of wise men TO waste their
energies for or against individuals. The general
good is what we must always aim to SECURE
We may fail 10 see the errors In oar school sys-
TEN until some unsuspected incident-some un-
forseen event exposes il; hut when il is seen
strike at that error in the system and not at the
incident itself or the parties affected by il.
Incidents past and present bring forcibly to
light what before we never or scarcely noticed
IL is that our county boards are organized with
out any regard to the wishes or inieres, OF the
teachers and that the School fund, and even the
choice Of our teachers has been, NAV be, and
will be made subservient TO the ad-
rSnccment Of party or the special interest OF
a clln. There is no denying this occasional re-
salt unless We assume man will and does become
more than man.
wha, security does the law throw around the
School fund-the subsistence Of the teachers
We are told the Treasurer must give bond, but
who approves tha, bond7 The School Board,
Of course and II the penalty is forfeited, how
much will the School Board suffer? Would i,
TO the teachers for lift fails they and their help
less dependents are the losers,
Suppose the security is good even,aally-how
long may we have 10 wait before our pay can he
realized? How long did we wait in '7l-:-3-4?
Or, some driven by the iron hand Of necessity,
resorted TO Shaven. How is our squandered or
Incorporated money made good TO US? By
closing our School or reducing our salaries
The most reliable Treasurer and the most en-
ergetic and successful Examiner .-e both sub
lcc, 10 the whim or caprice OF the School Board
Imagine the opposite Of this assertion and you
viii have most deplorable condition u III nes
We have no voice in selecting or removing ei-
ther, and. II we barely express our wishes in re-
gard 20 the appointment Of Examiner We are
said 20 dictate 10 the Board and are frowned
upon ss presumpsuous slaves by the politicians
and the rabble influenced thereby Yet they
lthe poliueians) deny the existing ser.do n
while, through interest, they are forced to &C:
ito sacrifice general and sacred int, rest TO
selfish ends. Nothing is committed TO our care
We are too ignorant and inconsidtr rable to b
trusted or likely TO be though, Of
What do we know OF the efficiency, ability and
honesty Of one Of our associated teachers The
School Board is far better informed on these
points than the teachers. The very naming OF
them by the judges endo We'd them instantly with
~ better discrimination than years Of laboricus
teaching experience can give rs. Does not the
Law establish this a. o fast! Did not the opin-
ion Of Judge Alvey in IS further show that the
appointment Of School Commissioners by the
Judges was inconsistent with their judiciary
powers This inconsistency ID still continued
Long and snxicrsly have awaited for the
awakening hour. How often and how earnestly
have urged the teachers in our Associations 70
seek ? higher elevation In society. an sure
they did not imagine I was asking them % ac-
conplish an imrossibiliN. see. as well as they.
;hA; our psv is Gncaviahls, ali our position un-
der the law contemptibie; and 50 acknowledging
must Re pardoned for believing tha. the teach
ers of our county are generally cognixans of their
au'y aid " II. sooner cx later, rally 70 . seEse Of
IL. Cri;y aRd haru0ny are the chief means and
ASSOCIATION the mediur>-.es rs thcn ccue TO
ge.her, eeeer;her, and lahc. scsv.her and cur
ends, seemingly rnatsainaese. wiiLeeSom uaore
eacar and sasy tAan the heSiuaing.
Are ~e not s-rs, What cca.;i,sies ssrf /,