The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1886-01-07
Mosr societies are organized for the

P"APO0 VI iAnpiousAh6 soAo PAioCiPio VI
for mutual improvement Those en-
gagged for pleasure are usually short-lived
as men are not inclined to pursue pleas
ure by rule. The Wisconsin State Teach
ers' Association has long been held in
high estimation for the unselfish purpose
which inspired it, and the devotion of its
members to the cause of education.
Year after year it has held sessions, did
what it could to mould sentiment favor
able to educational progress and rarely
showed any inclination to compromise
with error. Any one acquainted with its
history must honor the men who have
been leaders in this association. They
could have secured wealth and fame in
any other calling but they chose compar
alive poverty in following the line point
ed out by exalted duty.
But the Association has bad spells
wren it seems inclined to depart from
the high plane of effort in which it con-
tended against error and refused to listen
to the soothing strains of adulation. 1t
grows weary of well-doing and becomes
restless when confronted With evils which
demand correction. 1t seems to long for
the words of commentator, "well done
thou faithful servant" and because the
need of praise is withheld by outside par
ties, it is inclined to listen 70 resolutions
OF respect passed by itself. At times it
feels more inclined to discuss questions
on level with "whether class of pu-
pills shoulds toe chalk mark or not dur
ing recitations" than those which consti-
tute the essense of teaching. Not in
frequently it shows disposition which if
formulated in words would read, Every
thing is lovely and things are as they
should be-" except of course such little
matters as the marching of pupils, the
proper manner in which to attract the at
tention of a pupil and other little incident
ais which escaped the attention of the
association while it was busying itself
with vital matters. These must be fixed
up now, aud then the association will be
prepared to accept the summons "come
and possess the crown prepal ed for you. -
1t was not in the consideration of such
questions the association won its spurs
it is not by combining it's attention to
such it can sustain its reputation. 1t
cannot correct errors by shutting its
eyes to their existence nor stop their
growth by assaults upon the person who
speaks of things as they are, and has op-
portunities for observing.
1t will not do to say the poor schools
are limited to any locality. Manitowoc
County has number of country schools
in which child can receive better train
ing than in great many of the high
schools of the state, and it may safely
challenge comparison with any county in
| the state. In the number of state GER
tificates secured at state examinations
under boards appointed by the state su-
perintendent, fully one half have come
to teachers educated in this county or
who got their inspiration here which
gave them industry and q purpose to ex-
Gel. But this was not by teaching them
to consider themselves perfect, or to
grow testy under suggestions, or that ef-
fort might be discontinued. No one
would more promptly repel any charge
Of unworthiness against the school. of
this county generally, than the present
superinte udent, not because he deems it
duty to do SO be the schools good or bad,
but because he knows the charge is IN
true, and it is unjust to teachers. Occu.
plying this ground he feels it not improp-
er to acknowledge that there are some
schools unfit to be classed as such, some
teachers wholly unworthy of the name
and their work demonstrates this fact
beyond a possibility of question. And
that in every county in the state there
are many such schools. Is it proper this
fact should be recognized and remedied
II possible? Or Is 1t better plan to close
our eyes and let things drift? What must
the standard be in those counties which
send applicants to the state teachers ex-
animation who could not secure full third
grade certificates in many counties in the
state What must the condition of the
schools under the poorer class of teachers
in these counties be? And still We are ad-
monished not to mention these things,
because it is rot proper to speak of what
is bad in the profession. In Heavens
name what is proper? Spread esgle
speeches on our glorious schools when it
is known there are children starving for
mental food! Is that the way progress
comes2 Does the ass ociatiou meet only
to smile on favorable reports and pass
resolutions of congratnlation