The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-08-06
Editorial Notes on Mr.. Benefits Speech

LlltOIlul MUGS On MIs DcHcGS SpccCus
In his remarks we think Mr.. Benet furnish
ed the best reason for not jncreasing tho pay
OF teachers. When efI%lcientlady teachers can
be procured for less pay than the male teach
crs will work for, we are In favor Of giving
the work to them. Even at the low prices
complained Of however the association seem-
cd to be unanimously Of the opinion that
there are too many teachers. Increase the
pay and there will be twice as MANY us there
are ut present.
..r. Professor Klugh,
Of Green wood, endorsed Professor Hoods
ers In this County. and felt sure that the fig-
ures would give conclusive evidence that nc
one could become u millionaire OF the bust
ness In this county.
=. Professor ]. r. blake,
Of Greenwood. hoped to see the time when
the teachers would be better paid. Tho pre-
sent prices paid to teachers would barely clear
their necessary personal expenses. The low
prices would have the effect Of driving com.
petent teachers out Of the business. IT was
highly important that we have good teach.
ers. and the only way to keep good telchers
Is to pay them fair prices for their services.
Editorial Remarks on Professor HOODS
Essay.
We take issue with Professor Hood as to
some things said in his very interesting and
elaborate essay. He quotes tho pay o
teachers IN thirty-three States ip "lS76,
and then quotes their pay in South Car
olina for "lS7S," and also In AbbeviIle County
for "lS7S."
At first impression It would seem that great
injustice had been lone the teachers o
South Carolina and particularly in Abbcvill'
County, but we think tue facts will bear u!
out In n different assertion: In 1874 nearl.
every teacher in Abbcville County receives
aboutS II month, unless In cases OF Il few eH
ccptionally ignorant negro teacher who re
cciycd SO q month. EMO nave ny i;r ~
best teachers that we have ever had In Ab
bevilie County. When we paid twice rs nucl
rs we now do for teachers, many persons hat
first grade certificates who could not nov
pass or examination for u third grade
Was this 50 for tho reason that !
was more difficult for illeterato men to teach
Would any euher employed In public school
do batter work for more pay than he now doe
for his present pay? II so his commission II
r our opinion should be revoked. AS long a
the public or Abbevllle County can secure a.
good teachers rs we now have we arc net on
iy opposed toincrcasing the pay but we woult
mSOr q SllxDb REDUCTION from pTeSelG figures
It Is the duty Of the Board TO get public wori
done at rs low figures rs possible.
We object IN toto 10 the comparing Of price
IN Otlcr States In lSTG to the prices In Soutl
!. Carolina In 1878. Everybody knows that tn
currency has been gre ,tly contracted sine
1879. and that labor and material OF ever.
! kind has been redrced since that time.
p. Tho Professor nays the highest els:nintiin
:, on our School Board Of Examiners when y
says that our schools were Kept open q
months longer than tho average In 0the
Counties of this State. This to tI& payer
, the Board of Examiners and to parents gen
orally must be very gratifying iniciii
gcncr.
We also object to. as unfair, t~hecoInparisol
;. he makes between tho salaries Of teacher
, and those who run railroad trains, sell goods
keep books, explore mines, operate In incto
ricS. &C.. and especially do uc protest wllel
lie speaks Of the wages of these people In tn
flush times OF 1928. These all work six o
seven days in the week, and from 3 to ID pc
day, whereas teachers in our public school
work but five days In the week, and but nv
or X hours per day.
What the Professor. says about the diner
ence Of teaching IL smalleror greater humble
OF children is or little force. If q teache
agrees with the school trustees to give III
). time for q specified amount 1t should max
no difference to him whether he gives his en-
tire attention to one child or whether he I'll
vides 1t with forty. He can only give nj
time, and the parents Of the children are tn
only persons to complain II the number c
children Is too large The teacher certatnl,
has no right TO complain. ..
We fully agree with the Professor In hi
suggestion to make the public schools nbsC
lately free as long as they are kept open. n
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