Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1889-05-09
The Normal School Again.

In this issue OF the REGISTER will
be found a communication from an
esteemed correspondent, taking US to
task for certain expressions contained
in two editorials published some time
since, wherein this paper opposed the
further extension of the normal school
system, and expressed our approval of
Mr.. Ringo's course, in leading the fight
against the erection of three more
schools of that kind in Missouri, at the
public expense.
This paper is ever ready to give the
use OF its columns for the discussion of
public questions, Notwithstanding that
discussion may, as in this instance, de-
velop an opposition to its policy. We
don't own the earth nor do we know it
all. but We promise to tell of the reas-
ons for the faith that is within us-up-
on the matters thus sprung upon US,
by this correspondent.
Boiled down and robbed of its super
fiuous verbiage, this communication
affirms five propositions. 1st. That as
the cultured and respectable people are
in favor of increasing the number of
these schools, therefore, the cultured
and respectable people are entitled to
have their desires granted. I'd. That
it is inIpudent and insolent for this
paper, or its corps of writers, to ques-
ton the right or propriety of granting
the demands, in this behalf, of those
whom he denOminates 1.-The most cult
ured, refined, intelligent, honest and
respectable people," Sd. That it Is
untrue that teachers as class are ever
on the lookout for opportunity to better
their condition, though, the taking adj
vantage of such, takes them out OF
their calling as teachers. 4th. That it
is untrue that the defeat of the bill he
names, is defeat of boodlery, and 9Th
that as normal schools are equally
beneficial to all, and equally within the
reach of all, they are not by nature and
surroundings more beneficial to one
class of citizens than to another, but
are equally beneficial to all, and there
fore, are proper objects upon which 10
expend the public funds, TO accumulate
which all are taxed.
The first two propositions we do not
deem of enough Importance to require
answer; they are seif-answering, and
Shis writer is convinced that the cor
respondent was ill-advisedly hurried
into using those expressions, without
thought, else by the idea that those
high-sounding, though unforceful
erms, added weight and effect to his
utterances as the thunder of cannon,
though blank cartridges used, adds ter
rors to the battle.
AS to the third proposition. concern
ing teachers leaving their calling TO
engage in others, w hich they may deem
more remunerative, or more agreeable,
we have only to ask the reader to make
a list of those, whom he may know,
who taught school ten years ago, and
ascertain for himself how many are
teaching now. 1t is safe to say that
ninety-five per cent. are in other occu-
pations. And, surely, they laid aside
the ferrule and the birch to better their
cond ition, and of their own motion.
The only shadow of excuse for the
normal school being supported by the
public is that such Institution prepares
and fits a permanent and efficient corps
of teachers for the public schools.
But so far from that being operative
as an argument, it does not exist as
such. The system has been in opera
ton in the State for many years, the
normal schools have been we'll attend |
ed, they have been supported at public
expense, there are public schools scat
ered all over the land, there have been
far more than enough graduates turn
ed out oft Missouri Normal Schools to
ill every teachers chair in the State.
Are our schools taught by normal
graduates? What is the fact?
So far from that being the case, not
more than one in ten of the country
teachers are normal students. While
there are, probably, forty persons in
this county, who have attended such
schools, partly at the public expense,
not more than five are now teaching; :
the larger part never taught and never
intended to teach. But, forsooth our
would have US believe I
that the education of these is of such
vital public Importance as to Justify :,
taking the taxes. wrung from the la
Dor of those who cannot send their
children to these places, and APPLYING
it to the payment of the expenses of
The more fortunate neighbors. This -.
age has gone mad with fads, and the
normal school is one of them.
But there is a still further objection !,
20 the public being called on to erect :
new institutions of the kind, which has !,
,nly been limited at above. s
1t is n fact, beyond dispute. that the I
State has an interest in the education
If the masses; for the more general the ,
Infusion of knowledge, and the higher s
he standard of education, the better,
more law-abiding the citizen, the few
n crimes, and the greater the public {
No man will gainsay this.
And any law which will lead direct
~ to that end, and does not have that
end only as possibility, remote, and