Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-03-25
LEDGER.
sa.araaz E.salnE, MarsA 3. Issa.
The workings of the Public
school Systems in the Country.

1NR W OIAAMk0 OA tnL 4WAkN
school systems in the Country,
EDITOR LEDGER Though much
has been said and written upon this
subject, the success of which is SO
necessary to the mental culture and
moral improvement Of the present and
coming generations, a further dis
cussion, if it does no good, can at least
result in no harm to the cause. 1t IS
believed by many that some thorough
system of instruction for the youth OF
our land at the public expense is
requisite, just and practicable. But
the present modus operandihas proven
a farce and nuisance, and is univer-
sally denounced and condemned by
our people.
TIE tax is insufficient to run the
schools longer than an average term of
three months annually. And when
ever a modicum accumulates in the
trustees hands, the district commits.
sioners are besieg0d and harrassed
beyond endurance by host of appli-
cants, generally inexperienced youths
or broken down teachers, who have
longingly awaited for the annual bone
Of contention and are now clamoring
for the umbrage Of the rural campus,
each establishing his many merits
and ability to teach the young idea
how to shoot. But fortune more
often smiles upon the aspirant most
modest in his demandsl So contract
is made and time announced for the
school to open. Now, the rag tag and
bob-taill of the surrounding country
(who like their master have waited for
the public money! meet in general
assembly. Forty urchins, with as
many antediluvian books, are enrolled, \
and the presumption is, that the au-
gust pedant has some difficulty in
classifying his pupils. For awhile
things move lovingly on. "All seemed
we'll pleased-all seemed though were
not all"-for some embryonic states
man whose slumbering ideas begin to
shoot, breaks into open rebellion,
backed by number OF his fellow
"scape. graces, and teacher or Whelps
one must suceumb. If the former,
the school goes with hideous ruin
and combustion. If the latter, the
nations are aroused, and schisms and
divisions are multiplied, and amid
confusion worse COMPOUNDED" the
enterprise goes down to "bottomless
perdition, and the peace and har-
mony of the moral vineyard is broken.
But the factions are solid in con-
demnatien of the public school sys
tenn.
Often, as q matter of economy or
convenience, the free school is bleud-
ed with some regular institution,
(which it has taken years of labor to
build up) flourishing under the prinei-
palship Of a disciplinary scholar which,
no sooner done than trouble begins.
and generally results in serious and
permanent injury, if not fatally,to the
whole concern.
An untutored set of country .raga-
mufhns" can no more comprehend
discipline than lot of raw militia can
understand the evolutions Of the drill,
or willingly subject themselves to the
rules of war.
And often again the free school is
inaugurated under the shadow Of an
established academy, which inevitably
szps the life out of it, and throws a
good Instructor out of employment,
who has to seek a more inviting field.
and DO good man can again be EN-
ployed TO reOrgaBize the wreck, fore
seeing the same fatal result.
These part term free schools all tend
to underrate and disiutegrste the old
and established schools. whether con-
solidated or run separately.
We need a ten months annual term
or none. Three months schooling to
q different teacher every year amounts
to nothing. The pupil has made no
progress, nor the teachers given salts
faction, though no interruption may
have marred the monotOnous routine.
However, we look forward to time
when our people will realize some ben.
eft from the tax for educational pur-
poses. The present system may be
right, but its workings are not.
awe trust, Mr.. Editor, that some Of
your readers, better qualified than
yeur humble servant, to discuss this
matter may suggest some plan that
may,tend to improve the public schools
Of the COUNTRY.