Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1885-12-10
rnE SCHOOL Law BrFExpEp.


law
Now we don q wish 70 discourage the juvenile
attempts Of anyone al composition, but a. he
claims the article referred TO demands the
earnest consideration OF council, and Aa we
think the question is debstabie, we will first
consider the article; then the school law
lie opens his argument by saying "the
present school law affords chance for too
much then. II is so tempting that some teach
ers fall victims 20 theft There are dishonest
school teachers as well As lawyers OF farmers !"
The first clause In the argument we will De-
ny, the second one we will admit only In part
We do not see how II affords any chance for
theft whatever. Tho law requires the teacher
to be sworn to the average Of tho school. Be-
sides the directors are TO inspect the teachers
record at the end OF each month for themselves,
and their statement, In addition TO the sworn
statement OF the teachers goes to the board at
the end OF the term for It's approval II Is not
TO be presumed for a moment that teachers are
so dishonorable and dishonest As 20 make them
selves liable to prosecution for perjury and
embezzlemen, Does he suppose the teachers
are so dishonest az 20 perjure themselves, and
embezzle their country for the sake Of . few
dollars and cents2
II Mr.. Duncan knows OF any teachers embeE-
zling the nation as he asserted, for he says,
from what I can learn there is no small
amount Of this done, lit IL his duty as good
citizen to report the matter either TO the grand
Jury for Its action, OF 20 the board 90 Il can
cancel the certificates OF the teachers who Are
stealing so much from our school fand. II
there are dishonest teachers as asserted, there
is proper way Of Kidding the nation OF them
without repeating law that In It's main feat
ures are good, and law that is pronounced by
not only its framers but by some Of our best and
most experienced educators, as being the best
we have ever had
The late school law has raised the average OF
the primary school 800 per cent. and is that per
cent not raised honorablyP Has that law not
infused new life into many teachers, in order
to have as large school as possiblo2 In
doing so he benefited the patrons as we'll as
himself We say, let Mr.. Duncan, or any other
citizen OF this nation who knows the teachers
are swindling the nation, report the matter TO
the proper authorities for consideration.
lie says further: "The directors often sign
the reports blindly, not knowing whether they
are correct or not, or some may be hired 80
sign them" This Is poor compliment indeed
10 the intelligence and honesty Of the Cherokee
people, II requires no more THAI ordinary in
telligenco on part OF directors TO properly ins
spect at close OF each month the teasher's
record, aud properly certify to the correctness
oft. II the teacher is so unfortunate as TO be
sent by the board into an ignorant community
he should exert himself all the more. In every
neighborhood there may be found some who can
act as directors and inteiligently too The as
sertion shat some may be hired TO sign them
is without any foundation. Itisthe duty OF the
teacher TO have directors with sunicient
Intelligence to examine the school. The
teacher who cannot 20 into aneighborhood and
sustain himself and profession as such is un-
worthy the maine ofteacher. So far as bleker-
ing and animosities are concerned between
teacher and patrons there should be none II
the evil is such magnitude as asserted and
within the gentlemAn's personal knowledge j
appeal 10 him to dlvulge their names, that they
may be stopped before they swallow up any
more OF our nations funds. Then the better
class Of teachers who work honestly, and faith-
fully that they mag do all the good they can,
and make all they can, will be given protection.
do not hesitate for a moment IN saying that
the board would quickly cancel any teachers
certificate who was guilty Of such fragrant vio-
latlon ofIaw. differ with him also in regard
10 having three grades OF certificates, and ap-
pointing teachers according TO tRtir ahility and
morals, regardless OF an examination they may
pass. Before any teacher can have ability to
teach he must have qualification, and qualihcA-
dion viii display itseif In examination. The
only ch, nge in the school law that would give
good real Its wo-.d be TO raise the scholarship
in examinations, and have the board employ
only those teachers who give good evidence OF
sufeieney and ability
ouR SPECIAL AaESr.
The national council shonld be particular
about It's special agent Granting the or
repeated assertion that Il is absolutely neces-
sary to have a special agent to defend our
national interests in Washington, TO defoat
territorial bills, etc, would Il not look better,
much better Indeed, N our legislature would
bestow that honor on one OF her own citizens ?
In this article IL is not the desire Of the writer
10 AssHil the personal character Of q man In
in whom our nation has oonnded such illimit-
able trust, neither have we any personal
prejudice against him. but being a citizen Of
this nation. and having the same interest in Il
others have, We DO not like to sec our nation
annually squandor $1,000. We have few
men who are fally as competent 10 a.. the
once OF special agent as Col Phillips. Why
not appoint one Of them? II would show TO the
world that the Indian was not always going 70
rely ON the whito mans integrity for his
national safety. Furthermore, II Phillips has
rendered this nation such valuable service,
why did he allow the records TO got into such a
shape that we are charged as having sold all
the lands lying weat OF the Arkansas river
IsaN L. alrtaf af