The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1879-10-22

is worthy to occupy. What Is the statui
Of the teacher in the estimation Of thu
public2 EyE
In the Grst-place 1t Is taken for granted
thatayoung man Of good executive ability
of superior education and refinement
would not subject himself to the caprice
Of the class Of men who are frequently hll
official superiors and employers, and tc
the indignities inflicted upon him who
teaches school, and, therefore, that he
who selects the pedagogic calling must lack
some Of the essential qualities Of culture OF
manhood,
secondly-There are too many who
teach and who intend to teach only for o
short period they make teaching means,
not an end. This has been mentioned
over and over, yet the reduction in wages
and I'll management In the manner Of en-
ploying teachers makes the matter worse,
instead Of remedying and overcoming 1t.
Thirdly-There Is not the difference in
the compensation Of skilled and unskilled
labor, in teaching, that there Is in other
callings or professions. The ignorant and
indolent lawyer finds bat few and ill.pay-
ing clients; but an EVarts may have a
President and the nation for his clients,
and receive a princely reward. The i'll.
read physician finds his visits, in one re-
spect at least, like angels visits, few and
FnR FBhtla n paablaa t,,a,t al.
his patients and limit his fees only by his
own m0desty,
In manufacturing, skilled and expert.
enced workmen bring more money to the
treasury oftheir employer, and, therefore,
command Corresp0ndlngly high price for
their labor; but the result OF the faithful
teachers labor cannot be so easily est.
mated In dollars and cents, and hence they
do not receive compensation according TO
the value OF the work done, and there Is
not that incentive to thorough prSlimina-
ry preparation which Is found in other
occupations.
Fourthly, We are told that we must
learn that the law Of supply and demand
applies TO teachers as well as to other
Commodities" We do not object, II
quality Is to be regarded; but We do pro-
test against putting the good in competi.
ton with Il 9 poor before incompetent
judges. A good article OF commerce, un.
appreciated, Is withdrawn from market,
sid its manufacture stopped. Can the
public complain II a similar re.
sui! obtain with teachers? We do com.
plain Of that condition OF things which
compels the teacher, who has spent
years Of time and hundreds OF dollars in
preparation, to give his services for one.
hall or two.thirds Of a Just equivalent, be.
cause some inexperienced and uneducated
boy can afford, and Is willing, TO keep the
school at even less price. There were
more persons who desired to replenish
their scanty purses by brief reign in the
district school house the ensuing winter
than there are schools in the State, but
were none but well qualified instructors
engaged for our schools this coming win.
ter? Had this been true, manga school
house would be unoccupied save by the
winds that sweep over our hills, many a
treasury unexhausted and many Board OF
Education reelected.
Fifthly-The manner in which teachers
are employed. The farmer, and a majority
OF those who compose boards are OF this
class, has learned to get as much as pos.
sible for his money, and II honored with
the responsibility OF providing instruction
for the district, he at once determines to
excel all his predecessors in the manage.
ment OF the public funds. He knows lit
tie or nothing about the difference In the
quality Of teaching, and he therefore en-
cages the applicant who will help the
school for the least money. One district
we know OF, hired all the number, three
teachers they could get because they were
graded at Sis 90 per month. This system
was instituted to avoid relationship being
broughtto bear In getting schools. This
is Just what 1t promotes. No such wire.
working was ever thought OF in this sec.
ton OF the State to get in cousins and
nephpvs,
Finally, how is this evil To be remedisd9
How is the supply over the demand for
teachers to be rsmoyed2 ... ~
confess that under our present laws
this question is not easily answered. II
the people OF West Virginia would de.
msp9 and accept only thoroughly comps.
tent teachers, they would find the excess oil
supply TO be entirely imaginary, and they
would be obliged 70 show the'slncerity oil
their demand by the offer Of higher wages
before their demands would be met.
There should be o more thorough and
rigid examination Of every aspirant for q
teachers honorsj and this eSamins.
ton should be by . committee
composed OF experienced teachers,
Let the qualifications comprise ma
turity OF age and Judgment, thorough
knowledge Of the branches to be taught
evidence Of good moral character, and
known OF presumed ability 70 govern and
instruct, and then Let . certificate be a
good one, three, Eve years or for HE, 40,
cordingto experience and excellence In
all the requirements, and HD every one
who shall hold q lie certificate win pcs
sess credentials equal in value TO those. o.
LAWYER, doctor or divine, and be known
as o tsapher-a name that OF tse!f implies
superior wisdom, and, from the tenor and
Integrity of its possessorsj Is an ASSURANCE
OF q moral standing and character which
are surpassed By that Of no othel
class Of men. And when tho door
shall have been closed TO quacks and pre-
TENDERS, let those who guard; the door
and those who are admitted realize tina
Tie iptpt5 reputation Of their chosen pro
Ifesstop will rest qpea me character and &C
ouiIenenls Of lis individual nemheTe
| let the Young teacher remember that hi
has Just entpred tho profession, and that
liz It's honorR are expected, no indolen
Iifa awaits himt that he Ia never 10 rAAt ol