The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-07-21
For the Democra tie Advocate
To Public School Teachers.

For one class of readers in particular, and for
their especial benefit the writer through
perused by all, desires at this time TO say few
words for the careful consideration of the public
school teachers of Carroll county
The holding ofthe County institute approximately
to the time of the opening at the beginning of the
school year, when so many young teachers-some
for the first me-are preparing to enter upon prac
tice in their chosen profession is generally thought
to be a wise arrangement,
Ifthe Institute is of value, of which none but the
ignorant and the preudiced can now entertain
them from their exercises in the County Institute
many useful items of preparation fresh for effective
application in their respective spheres of labor
If each alouSly performs his whole duty at the
County Institute, the tyrowho is worthy of an hon
orable future successful teacher will speedily
make discoveries in himself scarcely ever before
dreamed of, while another confident aspirant may
there find that his proper place is somewhere be-
tween pillow handles or in some other useful and
profitable employment better adapted to his head
hand and heart and yet another may catch the
eXpedience of Withdrawing from the teachers pro-
fesSion and learning to dance gracefully on the
treadle of the sewing machine or the rocker of the
cradle Or possibly the latter may there be driven
to consider her appropriate sphere, that of milking
and setting hens, for which, it has been said
a highly successful and experienced Carroll county
teacher some time since was heard to disavow all
inclinatiOn; but it is only reasonable to suppose
that, at the time, she was thinking more of her
school, which she has always governed so admirably
and taught so thoroughly: than of certain young
farmer. But Stop-no tales out of school"
The State Normal School in Baltimore generally
opens in the first part of September about the time
of the opening of the public schools in the fall in
most of the counties, including Carroll.
The Secretary of the State Board of Education
who is the conductor of the Normal School and the
chief executive of ALL is by law also the presiding
officer of each and all legally organized public
school county institutes in Maryland. This legal
presiding officer being now and for years past the
accomplished and efficient Prof NJ. A Newell, who
has become so deServedly popular with all parties
and creeds, cannot, of course, though some appear
School open it in the first week in September as
usual and also be in Westminster to preside at the
Carroll county Institute at one and the same time;
and all will readily agree that Prof Newelrs pres
ence at the County Institute cannot well at all be
dispensed.
1t has therefore, been suggested that instead of
the first week in September, usual for some years
past the Carroll County Institute for this year shall
be held during part of the last week in August,
which will render the attendance of Prof Newell,
quite possible and certain as health and favoring
| circumstances
With this line of view it is hoped and expected
that the Carroll county teachers without dissent
| ing voice, will devise some way to signify their
willingness cheerfully to devote, in the last week
in August, much of the summer vacation as shall
be necessary for the Institute that it may not
conflict with the time of the opening of the Normal
! School,
Ifall shall continue silent on the subject, on the
principle that silence gives consent, general ac-
quiescence in the suggestion will doubtless, be in
! teIred, and all can act accordingly. Anonymous
publications in reference to it, one way or the other
though they might affect the readers opinions, can
not of course influence the action of any one, and,
consequently, they can attract no attention worthy
| of notice.
| Public school teachers however should at once
come to clear conclusions on this subject i'll their
! own minds, freely commit themselves as favorable
| to the suggestion, and, in some effective way, make
their determination known to the authorities long
enough i'll advance, because, ifgeneral consent that
the Institute shall be held between the 9th and the
! 31st days of August inclusive, be not freely eX-
pressed the Institute may, and it probably Will be
/ appointed by Prof Newell to be held during the
whole of the first week i'll September if the teachers
shall so seem TO demand; and the highest public
school authority has intimated that In IN that case
! strict orders may and. doubtless, Will be issued,
that public school teacher of Carroll county who
shall be absent for hour from the sessions of the
Institute whether at work or not in his school at
! the time shall be paid for service, in that week,
more than for the actual time during which he or
she shall have been present at the Institute; the
| continuance of which, if held i'll September, will
most likely be during the full five days, according
! to the letter of the law printed.
/ PRO BoNo,
Another teacher, having read and considered the
above in manuscript respectfully suggests that the
| teachers of the several election districts at once
meet in local district association, discuss the sub
ject sufficiently and then each local association for
! itself Immediately decide the question of the time
for the meeting of the County Institute and without
delay transmit its decision to the secretary of the
| county School Board so that he may have time to
give previous notice TO the appointing power