Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1880-09-01
MORRIS TOWNSHIP REMARKS.


KYLERrowS, August Eth 1850.
EDlroR REPUBLICAN IL was my pleasure 10
attend meeting held at KylertoWn on the even
ing Of the 10th inst. by Superintendent McQuown
iu connection with the examination Of teachers for
this district, and thinking that perhaps a few
thoughts relating thereto might be ofpasing In
tsrcat to your numerous readers aud especially 10
those Immediately concerned have taken the
liberty Of addressing you.
As this was Educational meeting, and as tue
speakers, Of which there were several appeared 10
the role Of public educators. | take It for granted
that their sayings aud doings were fair subjects
for comment and open TO criticism
! am aware that it is generally supposed to be
the duty Of a correspondent in noticing meet
ing Of this kind 10 oulogze tho parcipators in
discriminatory but whether this is the better way
or not admits Of a doubt to say the least Of it.
The meeting was organized Ia the usual man
nor, after which tho speakers proceeded. The
speaking being interpreted with very fair music
on the organ and singing, Most Of the speakers
according to thor own confession were unpropared
to address the audience. They profess TO have
greatly at heart tho educational interests Of the
community, and yet when a meeting is called for
the ayowod purpose Of furthoring the interests,
and they are advertised some two weeks previous
totako prominent part In said meeting they come
unpropared. Why is this thus One speaker
stated that be didn't know until a couple days |
prior TO tho meeting that no was to speak He |
should take the REPUBLICAN. IA good lick-ED. /
REP.l hs a matter Of course, some good things /
were said for which they deserve and will receive |
due credit. But on the other hand some untena-
bic grounds was taken and positions assumed, 1
the establishment Of which would, in tho humble |
opinion Of the writer be q difficult task. The |
keynote Of most Of the speeches was the necessity
Of higher wages for teachers. One speaker rather |
regretted the action Of the School Board in ad- |
vancing the wages Of our teachers, because, as
be expressed 1t, cit took the wind out of bis
speech, as he had intended saying considerable
on that subject" and yet he dwolt at length on
tho lack Of thoroughness in teachers and lamented
tho absence Of that training and fitness Of which |
comes only by hard study, long practice and ex-
perience. And in these latter remarks he was
right but not consistent with his previous and |
subsequent declarations. / would like to inquire
If the gentleman thinks that an increase of wages
would Immediately cure the ineilcicnoy of which |
he complains II he were to hire a man to work /
for him at twenty dollars per month, and became
aware that be could not, or would not earn that |
SUN, would no hasten to raise his wages to forty |
dollars l think not. Apprentices do not as a |
rule receive the same compensaton as skilled |
workmen. If | were to apply for a situation 10 |
a bakery, and on being Intercepted as to my ex
| perience 10 the business, should reply that in my |
youth | had built sand-ovons aud baked mud |
pies in the sun, fear that could not command
a very high salary at first. Or II should seek |
an honorable and lucra tive position In tho regu-
lar army, and on being asked In regard TO my |
experience on the sangunary field, should state |
that my nearest approach tosit, was once fighting |
boy nearly as large as myself | am led to be-
lieve that the honors omolumont and epauletts of |
a Major General wouldhot be Immediately forth
coming Do you say that my contrasts are rather
strong Not 80. Thorc is little, II any more
difference or contrast in the figures | have drawn
than there Is between well trained thoroughly |
disciplined, nicely balanced teacher, and some Of
the so-called who are yearly given in charge Of
schools, and from tho tenor Of the gontlomans
remarks, believe he would agree with me in
this view
But just here l would like to call his attention
to another rather ungarded statement lie re.
marked, "that although we paid our County, |
State and Poor taxes, without murmur yet, .
when u came to paying School tax there was
grumbling and general dissatisfaction" Now
am we'll convinced that the gentleman would not,
for any consideration, deliberately make false
statement and 30 l eharaeteriEe II as an unguari-
ed and perhaps ihoughtless expression Of sent
meni, which though having little or no founda-
tion in fact Is nevertheless popular with certain
class.
Tho citizens Of this township are asa rule in.
tellgent and fully sensible Of the great benefits
derived from the common schools, when properly
having the rising degeneration thoroughly educated
and hence pay their School tax as willingly as
any other But they do sometimes complain Of
the way their money is misapplied by Directors
| hiring incompetent tcuchers. Ii is o fact patent
to every unparalleled mind that many are en-
ployed who should 60 to school instead Of teach
| iug, although believe that generally speaking,
Directors do pretty nearly as we'll as they can,
considering the pressure that Is brought to bear
/ upon thom,
! Men in and out Of Official position seek to ad-
vance the interests of their friends their daugh.
iers, their sisters, thoir cousins and their Buns"
and the question in many cases is not, are they |
competent but can they secure schools. "Some Of
the speakers also reverted 10 tho fact that other
lucrative professions we're being dllad from the |
ranks Of school teachers and gave q reason for |
this, the low wages paid. will venture TO affirm |
that in nine out Of every ten such cases. the |
original intention was not to teach permanently |
but the individual has made q stopping stone, or |
ladder, so to speak Of the public schools, by |
which he might climb to some higher position, |
and while ostonsibly training those under his |
care has trained himself with an eye to the very
place he now occupes
One speaker seemed TO favor in an indirect way |
| the doctrine Of tho union Of Church and State, |
and declared with considerable emphasis, "that II
he were q Director he would not vote TO employ |
any teacher who was not a Christian" As |
/
gentleman alluded to he probably forgot to give /
his views on this subject, and whether he would |
favor the Incorporation into the school system Of |
religious branch, or whether be would feel com |
potent to examine and give teachers their proper
number or grade In religious experience are |
questions upon which have have not yet been
advised. OF course, ever right minded person |
would be glad to see all our teachers as we'll rs
all others enjoy religion but whether the praoli-
cal workings Of such n law or rule made by |
School Directors would be beneficial to either the
school system or the cause Of christianity is a |
question upon which | confess have grave
doubts. l admire the gentleman 3 zeal and give |
him the credit Of being at least in this respect
good deal in advance Of public sentiment 10 this |
country. Of course this will not hurt him II he
l. right. Still | would respectfully suggest that
he make haste slowly. lie will at least grow
older " be liyes and may yet loarn that Pro. |
iessional Certificate and the mature age Of twon- |
ty-three does not invaribly exempt man from |
those little mistakes and blunders and other
grievances incident to live 10 this cold world.
And now, trust that nothing have said viii |
be construed into an intention to say aught
against, or 10 any way discourge those who are
striving 10 ht Themselves for the honorable and
responsible position Of teachers. / would gladly |
assist you II could but II depends upon your
own etoriions whether ysu succeed or not "Thore
is no royal road to learning" but energy deerni |
nation and pluck, with the blessing Of God il
what wins At last.
Learn TO labor and to wait" DO not 20 much |
concerned just now as to what remuneration you |
will receive In dollars and cents, a. you arc to 20.
cure yourself that culture and training that will |
compel recognition. There is not, venture 10 |
say, FIRST class teacher 10 the county to-day
who has not more offered more than he Or sho can
accept Do not be afraid tho profession will
be oyefrowded, 'fhere railways room up stairs
Earnestly diaclaiming the least intention TO
give o1ense 10 any one In anything have said, |
and with none but the kindliest feelings toward
The gentlemoa whose speeches have thus I'm.
perfectly noticed, remain with great respect |
yours truly, Comnfrscr. !