The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1881-09-14
Better Education In Our Noun
tain STATE. ~

tain state.
The Gimerits, published at Glen
vile, this State, contained the fol-
lowing article in its last issue, Civ
ing good advice to teachers, which
we re.publish for the benefit of Ma
son county teachers:
"For some time past our attention
has been drawn to the educational
advantages and disadvantages Of
West Virginia, and our attention
was more directly drawn to itdlring
the recent session Of the Teachers
Institute, at this place. A goodly
number Of teachers were present aud
deep interest was manifest. This is
proof that the Institute was a sue
cess beyond doubt, but we were
strikingly impressed with The seem.
ing dilitoriness of some of our teach.
ers. II seems as though they have
failed to qualify themselves as they
should have done. When teachers
are unable to pronounce or locate the
Susquehanna, Monongahela, Yough,
ioghney and other rivers almost
within the borders of our own State,
and failed to spell cities as familiar
as Cincinnati, Chicago, Gallipolis
and otter places, we claim they should
become scholars and not teachers
Now in these assertions we do not
want to be misunderstood. We re.
peat again that Teachers Institutes
are highly beneficial to teachers,
scholars, and all others who attend,
and we do not want to be understood
as even insinuating that West Vir-
ginia's school system is not attaining
a higher degree of excellence each
year. Not SO. We are constantly
advancing in this direction, and Gil.
mer county is far in advance of what
she was a few years ago, but We do
claim that it is the duty Of every
teacher to more thoroughly prepare
himself for school work. 1t matters
not whether you intend to make it a
profession or not you should study
diligently and cultivate your mental
faculties just as highly az possible.
You will find it essential in any
class Of business. We often hear
teachers complaining that wages are
too low, which is true, but let that
only urge you to fit yourselves for
higher positions where good wages
are always attainable. The low
wages paid the teachers of West
Virginia, or many portions oft, is a
stigma on her citizens, and certainly
demands speedy change. Our
Normal schools should be more liber-
ally supported by the State. Our
common schools should be built up
to a higher standard of excellence
and perfection. Let the teachers Of
Gilmer county, instead of complain.
ing about low wages, resolve to make
themselves more proficient as teach.
ers and then put their shoulders 10
the wheel and build up our schools,
show to the people the good that is
accomplished by good schools, and
you will find it no difficult matter tn
obtain reasonable compensation for
your labors. If you follow the pro.
fession of teaching follow it with a
will and determination. Infuse life
and energy into your work. Teach
for the good Of the cause as well as
the wages. On yonr shoulders rests
the mental cultivation of this Noun
tain State, and with you, mainly,
rests the power of building up the
schools and salaries Of teachers
The time is coming when West Vir-
ginia will not have affixed to the
tail Of her election tickets: "For
School Levy" and Against School
Levy" Such ideas will be things Of
the past, While it is the duty of the
teacher to fully qualify himself for
teaching it is also the duty of the
people to give the teacher every en-.
coursgsment possible, in pushing
forward the grand and noble work Of
education. As our educational sys-
tenn advances, so advances prosperity
and enterprise. Scientific farmers,
scientific mechanics and scientific
business men are valuable accessions
10 any State, and West Virginia
needs them, Our schools have great
ly increased within the last few
years and we hope to see them still
continue. Give us good teachers,
good schools, and better educational
advantages generally.