Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1891-07-18

two years imprisonment III Cne sIaIe
prison. The idea seems to be pre-
valent that a rich man can violate
the laws Of his State with impunity
and with but little danger of punish
ment. These are two notable ex-
ceptions, and many others might be
cited. At the same time there is
some foundation for thinking that
money will do almost anything:
There is too much truth in it. Ii
any difference should be made in the
punishment meted out to criminals,
If any leniency is ever shown, it
should not be to those who occupy
high positions Of honor or trust
We are pleased to know that the
tendency of our courts is in the direc-
ton Of equal and exact justice with
out any reference to the social or
financial condition of the offender.
WE have received no official
notification, but understand that the
Trego County Normal will convene
on Monday, July 81, for a four
weeks term. Having had some ex-
perience in matters Of this kind we
feel at this time like offering few
suggestions, not in a captious, fault
finding spirit, but rather with the
desire to awaken thought and in
quiry. Every teacher in Trego
county should attend this institute.
We are fully advised as to the diff
culties under which many Of our
teachers labor, and which we do not
deem necessary to call attention to
at this time. We are aware that
many of you think you cannot afford
it, but we wish to say to you, collect
lively, and individually, that you
cannot afford to stay away. The
standard of our teachers should be
raised. All will admit this much.
When you raise the standard you
raise your own wages corresponding
ly. This is self evident truth and
needs no further calculation. To a
certain extent you apply the theory
of protection. You shut out incom-
petent teachers from other COM
munities and the memorable law of
supply and demand comes to your
relief. 1t is not the competent
teachers who lower wages, but the
reverse. Our children should have
better teachers and the wages paid
teachers should be advanced. We
plead for better teachers,
and better pay, and there is
not a live, progressive teacher in
the county, who will not endorse
this sentiment. The best oppor-
tunity in sight for most Of our
teachers is the county normal. It
is the best way to raise the standard
of qualification. Those who cannot
or will not advance from year to
year. will fail in the examinations
as they deserve. The teacher who
has no ambition to excel or improve
is not worthy of employment at
any salary They are dear if they
give their services gratultously.
Our idea would be to make the ex-
animation about ten per cent.
harder this year, after the close of the
normal, than it has been heretofore.
Let that be understood. Radical
changes are not desirable at this
time and under present existing
circumstances. Next year add at
least another ten per cent, and so
on. By the adoption Of this plan
the efficiency of our teachers can be
materially advanced in a few years
without imposing any hardship on
In nearly all our normal
institutes there is too much promi-
nence given to work that is only
applicable to city and graded schools.
Our schools are small, as rule, and
the country school largely predomi-
mates.
Again, we are inclined to
the opinion that the exercises should
be more varied than they sometimes
are. While the teacher attends
for work, and that idea
should never be lost sight Of, there is
no reason why these annual meet
ings should not be made very pleas
ant for those attending. A lecture, q
social, a literary entertainment. an
old fashioned spelling bee-these
are all educational in their tendency
and tend to relieve the dull monoto-
ny Of too much routine work. Be
sides it gives the teachers an oppor-
tunity to become acquainted with
laeh other. . very important consid-