The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-03-10
TeoCl,ers and Their Pny.

ton; and how its bencfcent objects arc
bcst'attainablo is tho problem foremost
and uppcrmost in tho minds cf every
intelligent and thoughtful citizcn.
Among all Etho numerous questions
that present themselves upon the very
threshold of tho discussion, not tho
least among them is the employment
of the teacher and what salary he
should receive. 10 much !cahi,dt be
said Upon tho Importance of judi
cious selection Of the teacher for to Il
great oXtcnt tho character of the school
itself is dependent upon the character
and ability Of the teacher. Then if it
becomes all importhflt consideration in
the education of tho young to employ
:competcnt'and cfiicicrt instructors, we
submit, with all candor, that such can-
not be accomplished by simple resort
to cross-road harangucs and high
sounding encomiulns upon the benefits
Of 6ancatiof,. The only substantial,
sensiblcmiH practical course TO pursue
is to offer salaries lurge enough ito in:
ducc men of ability and character to
take charge Of the schools.
We have often heard men reason
that "thcrc is no use payihg SO much
for teachers when so many can be had
cheaper; that twenty dollars ortwcnty-
five, or. certainly thirty dollars, is p "
enough, for il is more than most OF us
can clear on OUR farms" Men who
reason in this way forget the fact that
it is skilled labor that they arc seeking,
and they Must pay for skilled labor as
such. If it be true that the school
rooms are opened and closed dav bv
day for no other purpose than to afford
some idling place for tic brats Of the
nci9hbcrhood, ii would be tho part of
wisdom to employ the most consum-
mate ignoramus in the country, and
''1or his victuals and clothes IL that. ;"
But if the parents Of the country ell
tertain a proper appreciation Of tho
Influences of teacher upon pupil, in thc
development Of the mind and in the
formation Of character, they will not
hesitate to contribute thciir quota to-
Wards the payment of respectable sala-
rics TO respectable teachers.
The school trustees throughout Tho
county, whose duty it is to employ
teachers, cannot give too much thought
and attention TO this subject in it's bear
ings' upon the educational interests OF
the county, We have long been or the
opinion That larger salaries should be
given TO those of our teachers who
hold first grade certificates and smaller
salaries to teachers with certificates OF
the third grade. AS it stands to-day
III our county, the holders Of the first
grade only receive a salary "of from
twenty-five TO thirty dollars, while
third grade teachers, generally, arc so
fortunate as to obtain salaries amounts
ing to twenty dollars or more. This,
we submit, is not making the proper
discrimination between the first and
third class labor. knowing rs VIC 10
*hc ability of those WHO generally
procure the third grade certificate, VIC
believe them to be amply paid on The
receipt Of fifteen dollars per month.
and the other five dollars added to the
salary Of !hc best teachers will place
the educational system Of the county
III q healthicr condition and upon q
safer and more solid basis.
We would regret any discrimination
on account of color, but the plan pro.
posed will allow to the colorcd race tho
continuation Of their schools for tho
Same length of time Is the white
schools, while it will give to the prop.
crty-hofdcr Of the county u more
equitable proportion of the school
fund for tho education of their chill
.lrcn.
This important sdbjcct at least merit
the thoughtful attention Of all tho
school trustees throughout tho county
TIE UREENYLLLE CONVOCATION
Meeting of Representatives. Of iIie Protest
tant Episcopal Church--Synolsis oY the
Proceedings.
Pursuant to appointment; the Green
vile Convocation Of tho Diocese OF
South Carolina assembled in st. johns
N~,, L., a. ~ 10.