Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1884-05-17
COMMUNICATED.

Il would say in reply TO Mr.. Q"lrk's
communication that l think lie is not
quite charitable enough to his fellow
man, and that fogyism is fast dying out
before the. rapid strides of tile "New Edu-
cation" You say you will give me to
understand how you feel toward the
schools; but, sir, instead of giving Inc to
understand how you feel toward the
schools, you have given me to understand
how you feel toward some particular
teacher. You do not mean to say that
YOU would blot free schools from our
land? No, never! But you mean just
what | would do, and every other tax
payer, that you would dismiss all the lazy
men and women from the profession and
put in their places honest, upright and
industrious workers. TO rid ourselves Of
the free school system, we cannot expect,
neither will any one, save bigot, desire
it. Then let us put forth every effort to
improveit. We have already driven from
the profession our best teachers, by our
complaining and reducing their salaries.
Better pay good wages to good workmen
and receive good work, than pay small
wages and receive what you state de-
stroycd property and no labor.
You say, call the teacher cares for is
money!" / would ask: hasn't the most
of mankind little of the same disease
Sir, am inclined to believe you are SINH
larly affected-judsing from your letter.
am frank to confess | often find myself
very i'll of this contagious malady. If you
have lazy teacher you are not compelled
to keep him. refer yon to chapter 40 OF
the code of West Virginia as the means by
which you can rid yourself of him.
Qurk, think you have forgotten how
easily you were led to this and to that
when 4 youth, or you would not deny
"youth is like white paper"
A most reasonable statement you make
is, "you could not reach their hearts with
Il club" No, neither can your heart be
reached with club-if you have heart.
Sir, you are swayed to-day by the voice OF
our politicians just as you were by your
parents ana teachers when boy. l said
youth is like white paper" and say so
yet. If you will notice what influence
surroundings have upon society you can
not help seeing the truth OF the adage.
And from what you state in your letter,
lat Il
your own to begin said observations. l
did not say "teachcrs can not control the
children" They can, and most OF them
do. But where children are taught re-
bellion ut home and arc sent to the
school to exhibit it, that teacher has
to govern By fear of the rod. Children
should be taught by their parents that
the teacher is their friend, and that he is
laboring for their welfare. And as be-
fore stated, unless teacher receives the
hearty cooperation of the parents he can
do but little.
As to the making of barn-yards Of
school-yards this is L little more than
can see thu ough. DO you mean to tell us
that we have community in Jefferson
where the farmers are so careless rs to
allow their cattle to stay all night in the
school yard? | expect you were mistaken
about the children tearing away the yard
fence. From your statement | am led to
believe il was some farmers old bull.
lam no great lover Of school teachers,
but every man should have what is due
him. | would not condemn amy one
branch of industry because of few lazy
men following it. No doubt you have a
poor school, and | do not know how it
could be more, judging from your de-
scripton of the community" outh Is
like white paper"
You say you think the teacher and trus-
property. l 60 not think anything about
it; know it. If you will consult chapter
43 of the Code of West Virginia, as be-
fore stated, you will learn what response
bility is imposed upon both trustee. and
teacher II the children Of your district
did tear down the schOol-yard fcnce-but
you will have to pen these cattle before [
can believe it-what caused them to do it?
Do YOU not think that children ought to
have more self-respect and respect for
their parents? They will if their parents
teach them to be polite, gentle, kind and
manly.
If our writing does not benefit us, |
hope it will sting some lazy farmer or
school teacher with sense of shame and
cause him to go to work. and with i
feeling of pity for Quirk's school, and my
wishes for its advancement, remain your
hum bic servant, GULLY.