Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1878-05-01

the choice labor at the Institute, know.
ing they will re.echo his sentiments
to smile and nod approvingly as he
hears his peculiar views developed and
cry "Time is up" when opposition
from some independent thinker threat
ems to knock down the men of straw.
But not to tediously enumerate, | sug-
gest if they but reflect on the oppor-
tunities for invidious distinction for
unjust (?) suspicion Of the Superintend.
ent; for rancor, jealousy and bitterness,
where all should be harmony and CO.
operation on tho inherent defects OF
the system which would make its best
efforts abortive ; the fact that its con-
tinuance Is q violation Of the spirit, il
not the letter, Of the State Normal
School law that those efficient insti-
tutions which the State has SO gener-
ously provided for the training Of its
teachers are within few hours ride
on either side Of us, and demand our
patronage, both by their superior ex.
cellence and their necessities, they will
consider it not only advisable, but q
positive duty, TO stamp on the County
Normal the seal Of their unqualified
condemnation.
Now, Mr.. Editor, few words as TO
the qualifications OF Superintendent,
and | have done. That teachers have
not sufficiently recognized the fact that
teaching is "a profession" requiring
special training and continued devotion,
has long been bewailed by both Direc-
tor and citizen. Now, | suggest that
the Directors choose q Superintendent
who is an exponent of that idea one
who has made teaching his mistress,
and long and devoutly worshipped at
her shrine one who can refer, in the
explication of the teachers difficulties,
to knowledge born of long and
earnest professional study, experience
and observation one whose energies
are not divided between teaching and
law, or medicine, or other calling, how.
ever laudabe. A man who is looking
in another direction for his lie's work,
=,
VINO hopes 10 win wealth or lame IN
another held, may have suiheient sense
of duty TO perform his duties, but they
will be performed tamely, without the
ardor and devotion which is necessary
TO inspire others TO efforts, ana when
Is only porn OF love ior the LABOR
lis TINS slngleness OF Purpose-tnis
thought that the work IN hand Is the
most important OF oil work, that mas
accomplished all the mechanical, the
moral, the educational reforms ana
conquests OF the past IL Is TINS must
furnish inspiration iei the advance
ment oil the future. Besides u We're q
slap IN the lace, SO to speak, to every
earnest professional teacher IN the
county, 10 suo]ect MN 10 tne espionage
and direction oi one VINO Is a parasite
IN the proiesslon-who, vampire IKE
cIlngs TO II ana sucks its hie-piood tna'
he may get strength 10 expend IN an
other held. Ihe necessity that re-
quires the admission oil those VINO make
teaching a mere stepplng-stone even to
teach a school Is q iamentaole one but
70 make him o superintendent 10 IN
filct him on professional teachers te
hear him dlsempogue himself OF the
last vapid and senseless eoulition O.
some would-be popular school Journa,
with which he has crammed himself
in order to evince o seeming fitness io'
the occasion, Is so atrocious that, IKE
Gaii Hamilton, cannot support th'
picture my iancy draws, put whict
would be more than realized in fact.
fully endorse the suggestion OF the
Osceola Rereiile, that we should not
consider q mans political or religious
belief But while l concede that irhdI
man believes is irrevelant, hoo he be
lieves 1t is all important. If a man il
a bitter partisan in politics is puri
tanical on the one hand or jesuitical on
the other in religion II these feelings
are so intense as to color oil be says OF
does If his devotion to certain ends Is
such as to overcome scruples as TO the
means, and others rights are to be DIS