The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1878-04-12
DIR COUNTY SCHOOLS.

NAB county, shows an advancement ih
the interest Of education during the past
year that is a source of pride and graft
fication. The report shows 5,595 chill
dreh Of school age in the county, an ex-
cess Of 597 over those reported last year.
OF these, S,S63, or nearly seventy per
cent, have been enrolled on the public
school records. Comparing statistics, it
is found that this is an increase in en-
rollment Of nearly twenty per cent. in
four years, while the average attendance
during the same period has risen from
1910 to 2,4Ss. The number not attend
ing any school is seventeen and one
fifth per cent. less than four years ago.
For the year ending on the first Mon
day in March, S4O,794 were paid as
teachers wages. This amount has, as
usual, been very unequally divided be-
tween the men and women teachers, the
former receiving an average Of S71 95,
and the latter S55 a per mouth.
1t seems in this NATTER matter of
such simple justice that the veriest
child recognizes it-that progress makes
haste slowly. Turning to a book which
gives faithful record Of the struggles OF
some Of the noted "women Of the cen
tury," we find that just about the same
difference as that shown above was
made in the wages Of men and women
teachers in New York State forty years
ago. 1t Is recorded OF that time that
Susan b. Anthony, though being ac-
corded by the superintendents Of schools
i'm various counties where she taught
credit for the most thoroughly taught
and best disciplined scholars, yet re.
ceived for her services as teacher but
eight dollars, while men received from
twenty-four to thirty dollars per month
Small wonder that when, after fifteen
years Of faithful labor and close econ.
omy, she had succeeded in saving but
$500, she should have been taught s
long lesson and a strong one on equa
rights.
While the rapid growth and present
popularity OF our public schools is 1
matter Of personal pride, a state Of pub
| lie opinion or an infiexible injustic,
/ that holds to the old idea Of paying
teachers according to sex, instead o
merit and conscientious discharge o
duty, is a shame which our more en-
lightened and educated people at leas
should strongly discounteuance an,
earnestly strive to correct, not becaus
it is a question of "woman's rights" s.
called, but because it is a plain state
ment Of justice, to ignore which is to b
too narrow and illiberal to be fitly calle,
an educator.
But to return to our report. Tn
superintendent calls attention to som
imperfections in the school law, whic
it will be wise for our coming legisla
tors to heed. Chief among the amend
, ments mentioned as advisable, not {
say necessary, is a provision for sy;
. TEN of graded schools. We are sur
= that all thoughtful persons will agre
with Mr.. Browne 10 the statement tbs
"upOn a matter Of so much importanC
( to the educational interests Of the stat
as graded schools, without which thei
! can be no such thing as system, the la
2 should not be silent or merely passiv,
, but should speak out i'm unmistakab
2 terms. This law" he says, "shoul
{ authorize the directors to determine III
= qualifications for admission to sue
: schools, and to prescribe courses
= study, text books for the use Of schools,
etc. All very well; but we imagine "
( see some Of the "gOOd deestrict fathers
D in the "roOral deestricts"-such an Oh
= for instance, as caused a placard to
D placed upon the door Of the schoo
} house under his supervision 0ointl
= with two others of like mental calib
o and scholarly attainments), mo gu
: need apply for this skule"-examinir
:. pupils for the different department
S The suggestion is a good one, howeve
e as il will, if carried out, cause these il
Y sufferable old fossils who boast of new
}, having had "book larnin,'n yet ina
o inc the affairs of the district cannot
e properly managed without their advi
d and authority to grumble and growl a
b officially, while more enlightened me
n or women, fill place which requir
n knowledge, activity, and perception
y fill properly. A school law that sha
: meet the requirements Of our grown
d civilization must admit women to Il
e position OF school directors and superi
? tendents, or in some localities IL will
II lily administered. This, however, is lea
$ ing the question Of justice and talkir
e expediency, a thing which we DO n
= desire to do; but rather as a matter
simple justice to the noble array
: women educators Of our commonwealth
= we insist that law opening all educ
e tional offices to them on full equali
d with men is a necessity. A free al
v untrammeled use OF the best availab
:, material for educational purposes
e equal pay for equal work-justice al
o expediency alike demand.
4
= HERE'S FRESHNESS"