The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1892-12-03
Teachers Salaries.

| lucII salary
Our School commissioners, being IA mod
est set Of men, or not setting very higt
value on the teachers of the county, VT
| have not been able to decide which, asked
for only ten per cent.
have been told that every County Com
missioner in the Board sigaed the aforesaid
petition, but when it came to paying out
the money, their views appear TO have under
gone change. | have bsau told thai they
gave as an excuse for this uuhe ard of pro
cseding that the money had to be used in
constructing bridge over the Bohemia
river. Now, it may appear to some mind,
that the teachers of the county should build
a bridge for the accom- mediation of the pub.
lie generally, aad doubt not that TEL ciIers
would bs glad TO do so, but why they should
for this purpose more than any other class
of workers, we fail to see It certainly is
not because they are better paid. Many Of
our teachers get less than IS cents per day,
on az average for the year-this is a fact
which none can deny-and on this meagre
pay, many of them have to support, not
only themselves. but father. mother, or
some other helpless relative. There are,
perhaps, half dozen schools in Cecil
county that pay their principals 81 80 per
day, on IN average for the year.
Apart from the fact that teachers are so
poorly paid, there is a very serious side to
this question of salaries. The majority of
the residents of this county belong to the
middle classes, or in other words, are pos
sessed of moderate means; yet they are just
as am bilious for their children as are their
more wealthy neighbors, but not being able
to send their children to an academy, or
other private institution, want a first class
school at home.
Now by paying little more tax, very
little more, public schools could be brought
to the required standard, and the children
of the man in moderate circumstances
would stand on an equal footing with those
of the rich.
Notwithstanding the starvation wages, a
very few, possessed with IA very strong
natural love for the work, have remained
in the profession, but many more equally
talented have been forced ont of it, and the
schools have suffered an irrepar able loss.
The brains ami labor, the patience and per-
severance it requires to make successful
teacher, if employ ed in some other calling,
would more than double the income of the
individual.
Now, taxpayers of Cecil county, what
right has the County Commissioners to re
fuse to pay the teachers of the county the
twenty per cent you asked them over your
signatures, 10 pay? And, by what right do
School Commissioners ask for ten per cent,
when you instructed them to ask for
twenty, You are honest men, and honestly
meant what you said when you asked your
Commissioners to pay better salaries;
though ! have been informed that certain
tax payers, after signing the petition
Sneaked around and told the Commissioners
they did not mean it, thus acknowledging
that they had lied. Thank God, such men
are scarce. Over such Angels weep, and
devils hold glad jubilee. Did the Com
missioners believe you dishonest in what
y ou ulu, VI olu Guey ConsiuSt you uH .o4o W
judge what is for your good? They have
virtually said it.
Now, gentlemen, your children have a
right to the best education the Site can
afford. and you have right TO demand that
a coed system of public schools be main
tanned.
1t is surprising W hat enthusi asm is dis
played by some of our teachers, despite the
acknowledgements under which they labor,
but alas! most of them are ladies, and some
even before they have time to acquire the
experience, neosss ary to perfect success in
any calling, some wide aw AXE young man
has discovered the superior qualities OF the
fair preceptress and offered her Il partner
ship in more lucrative business.
But is it surprising that so many schools
are dead failures? For that they are m any
Of you can attest, and your children are de-
frauded of their rightful heritage, while
the talent you might secure is allowed to
drift away in some calling that has a
higher appreciation of brains. You are
practical men, and are all fully aware that
you cannot buy good horse for the price
OF srSSsssr one. Such salaries to those ,Ihp
cannot but wierrs y po We IT. Influence over
the minds and hearts of your children is a
disgrace to this commonwealth. Irepeatit it,
standing disgrace.
1t is admitted that teachers should have
access to many books. Can they affDrd to
buy them? Books are the true &c :Gher' )
delight Does he have them? No. Why?
Because he gets barely enough to keep soul
aud body together, aud appear decently
clad
The recent investigation into the labor
troubles at Homestead revealed the fact that
the comm IN laborers were better paid than
the teachers of that borough; ana between
the pay of skilled llborers and teachers
there was no comparison, the former were
so far in advance. Some one asks, "H8s ii
come to that?" Are teachers wages to be
rated Oh the same basis as that of the digger
of bitches? Why, they have never bsen
| rated SO high. Do you wonder if your
schools are poor? Go home, you WHO com.
plain of poor schools, and hide your heads
in shame; OF else go TO your Commissioners
and demand your rights. Ask that bids be
| made for the best talent. Ask that trained
minds be set in authority over your chill
dran, that their talents be properly de-
veloped.
Gentlemen, why does i COST so much to
support almshouses, jiils and criminal
~, L., -,
consequence of low salaries. Away with
such penny wise and pound foolish economy
None can afford TO enter the profession as d
| life work on such salaries; and it does take
experience to make success of any call.
| ing. Would you put an unskilled workman
| to building your house? Would you put
your interests in the hands of au uneS
perienced lawyer? No, but you would put
your child at the mercy of oae as Ignorant
of human nature as she is of the subject
matter of the text book.
Think of it, citizsns of Cecil county
rs cents per day and board your self Thai
is not all. For this meagre pay, teachers
must wait from July to Novem Der, at least
Do you ever wonder how those live who
have no kind relatives to look after them
or those who have families to support?
| County Commissioners, you cannot plead
a lack of fuDds, for the taxpayers of The
county have said over their signatures that
they are willing to supply them.
Do you wonder Why teacherI do no
strike? There are several reasons, but ont
which is apparent to ali IL, that they, as /