The Daily Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Or.) 1876-1883, 1882-04-23
Our Schools and Their Needs.

to the level of business and consider |
how much " stock a single COM
munity takes in its own school, we
find too often that no other interest is
so neglected and belittled. The school
is business institution and should be
managed and supported on business
principles, VIII it payl Yes. 1t is
not a matter of philanthropy, merely,
though it must be admitted that some
people seem to regard the school very
much as they do the poor-house-a
kind OF "necessa evil
The wise business man knows that
to cary on any kind of business sue
cessfully, he must use money
and use it wisely. He knows
the difference petween using money
and spending it. He demands a good
location; he advertises; he "fits up. "
Ife knows that good advantage, and
facilities viii pay, and as he values
success he VII provide for al the
needs Incident to the business.
What would you think Of the man
that wonid 90 into the hotel business
in a warehouse with no other fixtures
than q few bcdsteads, tables and cba'rsl
-Ohght not first-class cook to
make success Of that business I!
Schools are carried on in that way
sometimes, and eye ybody expects the
teacher to succeed. The location, the
plan and the furnishings of school
ought to be rs carefully attended to
as those of hotel; because in the one
strangers must occasionally stay over
night, while in the other onr own
childrerand the future citizens of our
community must live asd grow,
physically, mentally and morally.
What people demand and what they
need are two different things. All
agree that good teachers are essential
to n good school; yet how different are
peoples idels as to what is 4 good
teacher. His work cannot be meas-
urod like that of the builder. His
best worl, is apt 20 be the least con-
spicGous, his greatest sacecss becomes
a,,parent only after the lapse of time.
If YOU wouid kn0w who is the truly
successful teacher, examine the i'm
pressions he has made upon the minds
of his grown mp pupils. The likes or
dislikes of the present may signify
little, hut of great sis shilicance is the
character of the remembrance which
the former pupil holds concerning his
former teacher There are few Offices
so difficult to fi'i requu ing snch nice
adjustment Of qualities, both natural
and acquired. The teacher requires a
dozen talents for his Office while i'll
many another position man can
"pass muster on fewer talents and
be more secure, more respected and
better paid. ....
We need good men and women IN
our schools and it is well to note the
fact that the best men and women are
constantly forsaking the teachers Office
because they can do better. But
many diatl cts are coming to the front
and ave Wiling to pay reasonable
salarieS for the services Of experienc.
ed teachers. Some districts are even
willing to pay to women what then
ser, .ces are actually worth.
| Many d;st; ;cts are providing good
school buildings and school appliances
Many are applying IN the schools th'
i principle of the division of labor, ani
SO the schools are graded, and bettej
work is done. A few are taking heeC
to the fact that something more thai
book learning IS to be desired. Tht
school premises are suitably improved
and the Beauty World finds a plsc,
even inside the school premises. Th'
customary appearance of dcsolatiol
and neglect ceases to offend the eye
Vandalism and lldeness s.ve place t.
good manners and a proper respect to
persons and things.
1t is van to expect desired result.
unless suitable conditions are afforded
The school is a garden which need
something more than gardener. Tn
teacher viii supply himself with need
ed books, etc, his saialy permitting
: but it is the duty of the pupil to pro
a vide the various kinds of apparatu
t which shoald belong to every school
RI An unfmn;shed school room is nc
t better than any other unfurnlshe
n room.
+ People too often forget that til
n schools belong to them, and that the
9 are responsible for Their condition an
n success. Everybody depends on some
body and 50 the schools suffer neglect
notwithstanding the fact that tn
people are willing TO provide liberall
for their support.
, All oopat. tI,,t Astoii, n.ads n soho,