Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1891-12-10
The Modern School Teacher.

The time doubtless has been in this
country when-second to the parson-the
school-master was surrounded by some
thing like halo of glory. That was when
schools were few and teachers were far
from numerous. In the work of educs-
ton, as elsewhere, the old rule holds good,
that familiarity breeds contempt;" for
when our schools increased numerically and
in Importance and the teachers multiplied,
until their numbers were adequate to sup
ply popular demand, then il was that the
people became familisrized with the teach
cr and his work, and the glory of the
schoolmaster departed.
Since Master Holland of our mothers
school-dsys put in his work in eastern
Maine, or James Gordon Bennett taught
school in Sieuhen. or even since Cyrus
Brown was at the msrdisn Of his glory As
pedagogue in Hancock county. there has
been an evolution in schools most marked
and wonderful
Measured by the standard of absolute
right the school teacher j. now OF more
Importance than ever before and the good
work be J. doing j. second 10 that Of no
other man. whstever may he his calling or
profession AZ the common school there
are representative children from great
NsIirty " homes Some come from par
.uJs Do have wisely and carefully trained
their children, while Others know nothing
whatever Of real discipline. their parents
sending them g school in some cases "be-
cause they csn DO nothing with them 81
home some are studious and conscien-
tlous others are idle. indolent, mischiey-
Gus or unprincipled Some have ten tai
ents some five some one and some, alas,
next to none These the teacher must and
does trest Ike ladies and gentlemen, sue
ceeding in most cases In bringing out of
these diversified conditions and elements,
discipline and success, considering every
thing, wonderful indeed
The late Walter Sargent of Prospect
Harhor, then all officer in the regular T. S
Navy, said to u once when at home on
brief vacation: LAS | look back at nv
school-boy days, it seems to me that have
never seen anything SO wonderful as the
success Of my teachers in disciplning their
pupils. We came to You as so many mis-
chievous boys and girls; you treated us all
a. ladies and gentlemen and succeeded in
getting control over Us which was so
marked that to this day cannot under
stand it, In the navy the officer can read
lily enforce discipline, because he has the
whole power of the United States behind
him; but the average teacher in our pub
lie schools e1erts an influence equal at least
20 that Of the naval officer, and without
any visible power behind him"
The more we think of it the more we are
convinced it takes great ability to make
truly successful teacher. 1t seems to US
that it would be an easier task to win sue
cess as a lawyer, minister, physician or
editor than a. teacher. The teacher
would need different kind of ability, to
be sure, but everything considered, more
and better ability.
God is service to man"-snd we rather
think it j. who, we would like to know,
serves God letter than the average modern
teachei in ur common schools!
Tie Democratic caucus at Washing
ton ended in i deadlock Saturday after
moan S4v.nt.., ,-,,aS ,..r. .l-..r ,,3 -
choice was made Crisp led till the last
Monday The contest was continued. Ii
was not until Monday evening and thirty
ballots had been taken that decisive vote
was reached and then Crisp was nomi-
mated.
The twenty-uinth ballot resulted Crisp
l04. NIL, "a, McMillin 10, Springer 9,
Stevens l.
The result of the final and decisive
ballot was Crisp ll9, Mills lo5, Springer
4, Stevens |.
Intense excitement and much bitterness
Were manifested in the struggle
Charles Frederick Crisp was born in
England il I,i5. He entered the Rebel
Army when sixteen years old, was taken a
prisoner in 1864 and confined in Fort Della
ware until June, 1863. He was first elect
ed to the Fortyeighth Congress from the
State of Georgia and has since been a
member of that body. The southern wing
Of the Democracy is in the minority in
this House but it will continue to dictate
the policy Of the party just the same as
ever.
The House met Monday and adjourned
after a short session.