Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1891-08-01

are fitted to teach they are fitted to di-
vide with men the responsibility of
school supervision and direction. This be-
ing true, the vast body of women who
teach in the public schools have a right to
aspire to principalships and superintend-
encies; and, in order to make this right
| effective, boards of education should be SO
constituted as to incline them to regard
| such ambition as not less legitimate than q
like ambition on the part of men,"
'It is asserted that women lack the
| necessary business qualifications for school
inspectorship and trusteeships if the
very characteristics for which they have
been shown to be distinguished, namely,
capacity for details, honesty, morality and
habits of economy, were not the real foun-
dation for ali honorable achievements!
There are not wanting, however, suff
cient number of instances of remarkable
business successes by women, to warrant
the conclusion that in this regard they are
nowise inferior to men. There is not,
firmly believe, a single valid argument
against con6ding to woman her full share
of the work of supervising the public
schools of the country"
The Rev. Washington GLADDEN. is also
an advocate for employing the time and
talents of women in this direction. In
speaking of the tremendous interest of
public education" and the responsibility
of the people at large in regard to it, he
politics from getting into the management
of schools is an aroused and enlightened
public opinion. Two or three bright wo-
men in each ward or district who would
ask questions, stir up their neighbors,
write letters to newspapers, post them
selves as to facts, and keep other people
posted, could, he declares. correct many of
the most fragrant abuses in the administra
ton of our schools.
'1n some of our states," he adds,
"women are now permitted to vote for
school officers, and to hold places on the
school boards. When this privilege is
given to them their responsibility is en-
phasized. But even where they have not
received this measure of enfranchisement
the opportunity is theirs of studying the
whole system of popular education, of
making themselves familiar with its de-
fects, its difficulties, its possibilities of
arousing and guiding public opinion con-
cerning il, t,of bringing the power of trained
intelligence and earnest purpose to bear
upon the solution of this tremendous
problem. And is not this magnificent
opportunity for the educated women of
our country, and clear and commanding
appeal to their patriotic feelings?"
IneSe are wise WOrdS, seGtlnS IOrtn as
right and duty matter which many wo-
men ignore. But granted that there are
numbers who are not sufficiently educated
to serve upon school boards, and who have
no time for the study of systems, there re-
mains something for these to do. If they
are mothers or guardians of children they
should maintain an active interest in the
one school or school room, even, which ex
erts SO strong an influence upon the char
acter and welfare of the children in their
care. Much that is harmful might be cor
rected, and much that is helpful be
strengthened, by a sort of neighborhood
committee of mothers who in a wise and
quiet way would watch over the interests
of their own. And one thing that is both
easy and pleasant, and that any parent
may do, is, when satisfied that the teacher
is doing her best, to take occasion to say
SO, cordially. Many hard-working and
conscientious teacher has received wonder
full impetus and inspiration from few
words expressive of appreciation and graf
itude, even though spoken by uncultured
lips, has been helped to more devoted
effort and higher purpose, and SO the whole
great cause of education has been ad-
vanced. HILARY.