Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1886-04-24
THE school teachers of Allegany,

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will soon enjoy n vacation longer than
it should be for all concerned. But it
is a retirement they have not sought,
albeit should they apply it properly to
studies Of new methods, IDEAS and ac-
complishments, it may return to them
and our children freiehted with rich
memorials of a blessing in disguise.
The JOURNAL, then, desires to remind
them that while, collectively, they are
an important, indeed indispensable
faction of society, individually they
are rather more than usually sus-
ceptible and subject to fossilizing in
fluences. Hence, an opportunity, such
as will be offered very shortly in Il
lengthy recess from labor, should be
turned to the fullest account for future
advancement. In 10 profession Is
there so much room at the tops" in
| no direction uf personal endeavor are
the means Of development cheaper
and more accessible, and in no harvest
field is there richer fruitage.
Just at this point we recur to three
years of laborlous, conscientious, and,
we have reason to believe. successful
work in the schoolroom. At the time
scarcely conscious Of more than an
anxious desire to advance the pupils
and thus meet the just expectations of
parents and friends. events have
proven that the foundations for intel
ligent agricultural, mechanical, mer-
camille, clerical, educational, medical.
legal and ministerial pursuits were
laid. Out of that little band Of never
over forty-eight pupils, ninety pc,' cent.
OF whom growing to school age during
the war, were hitherto schoollcss.
sprang a score of young men who ac-
cord the teacher perhaps more than
his measure OF due for whatever sue
cess each has achieved in his av0ca-
ton OF profession. Not many months
ago it was our pleasure to extend con-
gratu,atlonS to one upon his election
as Il member Of the legislature OF his
State, to which he RESPONDED in q
sentiment which gives rise to this
reference. Privileged later to read u
speech delivered by him upon Il lead
ing issue we contemplated with delight
his command Of clear and earnest
terms, his power Of analysis and
strength of logic. Naturally memory
ran back to ''twenty years ago" when
the orator sat at his desk the studious
pupil, to measure, if practicable, how
far the force Of training Mea had enter
ed INTO the architecture of Il statesman.
All questions of this nature, however.
arc necessarily Understandable. None
but the student himself, probably, can
decide which and how many of the
Sleights caught and subtleties discover
ed within given course became instru-
mental subsequently in his advance
ment.
But it is sufficient to say to the
teacher who has dedicated his or her
life to the training of the young, to re-
peat that apart from the mere rewards
involved in securing q livelihood there
is a recompcnse for all who can IN
diciduolige themselves which cannot be
computed i'll dollars and cents. To do
this most surely they must become
the ''authors and finishers'' Of their
own profession.
THE frauds committed under the
land laws have brought out much
needed measure, whereof the Baltimore
SIN remarks:
The public lands committee of the House
having followed the like committee of the
Senate in reporting a bill to repeal the pre-
cmption, the timber culture and the desert
land laws, on the ground that it is impracic-
able to prevent a fraudulent use of them, it
may be hoped that a majority in both houses
will come to the rescue and try to save sOme-
thing out of the national domain for honest
settlers. There are federal judges, agents and
other officers whose business it is to with
stand the land sharks, but If they Will not do
their duty, Congress cannot be in too great 4
hurry to repeal laws that only make OPP
porunities for thieves.
There are some other laws, passed
for the benefit of the honest masses.
that might be disposed of proftably
the same way.
1t is becoming q question of serious
concern whether any law, which,
through indirection or perversion, or
both, confers advantages, intended for
the many, upon the few, should stay
any longer time upon the statute
books than it takes to repeal il.
And when we consider that the few
are the rich, and the many are the
needy, the journey through two houses
to the President for bill of repeal is
too long.
THERE is perhaps more truth than poetry
in the assertion of Senator Riddleberger that
the reason the secrets of the executive sessions
get out is because the newspaper men are
shrewder than the Senators. Standing alone
this theory may not seem very important,
but taken in connection with the fact the
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