The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1879-09-26

result initiates agaIns 4, -. .l,est in
'S14zla4 M e4 - - ! I Issts..sI
to one particular generation, iDut IS
borne down and down, getting worse
and worse, until Imagination fails to
trace it in It's passage. It is curious
fact that the profession of teaching has
been subjected, throughout every State
in the Union, at one time or another,
20 the spasmodic attacks of political
demagogues, and ii is an equally curl
Gus fact that the unfortunate teacher
has invariably been the sufferer. 1t
would almost appear unnecessary to
speak Of the importance Of having
thoroughly trained instructors for our
children, and yet this fact does not
seem to weigh with those who are en-.
trusted with the making of our laws,
or the regulation Of the salaries paid
teachers Ia recognizing the fact that
the future OF our children is dependent
on the lessons learned at school, is IL
not true economy to provide those
children with such means aud methods
of Instruction as will ensure their pros
poets for good in the hereafter, and be
productive Of benefits that will outlive
them? This is surely duty we owe
to them, and one, too, Of the most SOL
emn and binding character We can
accomplish this only By the employ
ment of able instructors-men who
have a vocation for the profession
If, then, by this continual reduction
of teachers salaries, we drive from our
schools those who are competent to
carry out our ends in this respect, do
we not act a criminal part towards the
generations which will follow us
Already the cruel policy has been at
tended with much evil There are
hundreds, nay, | may say, thousands
engaged 10 teaching who have no high
er motive in view than the earning of
their monthly stipend. With the curse
Of this fact overshadowiDg us, how can
we hope to become a happy and pros
porous people? The earnest, good
teacher can hardly be found in these
days, because the isals.ss - - =
Aim eso so n8eagre as 90 ensure him
nothing beyond bare support. Some
might say that the true teacher is far
above the contemplation of the size of
the pile of lucre that may be offered
for his services. Very few teachers,
however, engage in their work from
philanthropic motives alone, and when
the pecuuiary consideration is not Of
sufficient bulk to call forth their en-
ergies, or enlist their best endeavors,
they, as a rule, embark in some other
profession. where they can obtain value
received for duties performed. And,
pray, who can blame them? The la
borer is worthy Of bis hire. even in this
glorious Nineteenth Century.
The high rate of taxation is the
leading argument advanced for the re
duction of the teachers salary, aud
even if this argument were based on a
foundation of truth, yet it would be
but weak and childish at best Legs
islatures will harraugue and multiply
words to prove that the educator is too
highly paid, but when the question
arises as to the necessity of an extra
session Of their learned selves, with
what smooth unanimity will they en-
dorse the so called necessity. Such
things exist here, and we do not claim
to be any better than our neighbors
Would 1t not be we'll to have a fixed
scale Of prices co relative with the
grade of teacher2 By such an ar
rangement those hedge school-masters
would receive the pay equivalent to
their worth, while the deserving and
efficient teacher would have something
to hope fora goal to be reached. /
think that if clause of this character
could be introduced into our School
Law, it would be blessing to our
people. One thing, however. is cer-
tain. and it is this: That so long as the
salaries of our teachers are open to the
caprices of an ignorant few. SO long
will our schools be occupied by those
whose Intellectual endowments should
adorn the corn field or cotton patch
+ Americaa Journal of Education.