The state capital., 1892-02-06
NOTES BY The WAY.

While perusing the Consercator my
eyes fell upon lengthy letter OF much
merit written by Mr. Theo. w. Jones of
Chicago. A careful reading of this ar
ticle proved conclusively that the writ
ter has either read my letters to the
STATE CAPITAL hastily and without
proper meditation, or he has read only
one of the series of letters upon "The
Needs of the Race
He remarks that / concluded that the
only solution of the problem lies in fix
ing general and higher educational
standard for school teachers. II Mr..
Jones will read the STATE CAPITAL Of
January 2, he will find that | claim the
solution Of this question will be had
when the race has education. virtue and
influence to its credit, and both races
realizing their mutual dependence will
work out their own social and political
salvation. He will also find that | only
called for good teachers as need of the
race. Good, intelligent, cultured teach
ers is a need of the race both north and
south.
Mr.. j. speaks of poor salary. Twelve
dollars per month is indeed starvation
wages" Is there such place where a
good, competent teacher receives only
SIP per month? But if there were a
thousand such places would that change
the fact that need of the race is COM
petent, cultured teachers? Mr.. j., as
practical business man" sees no reason
to suppose people are going to spend
time and money preparing for voca-
ton which will pay so small a salary.
and that the schools for colOred people
will not be conducted by efficient teach
ers until salary is raised. Will igno-
rance and immortality thrust upon the
market demand this much desired in
crease of salary? agree that teachers
want pay for their labor. BreatheS
there man who labors earnestly and
desires not compensation? | did not
intend to write an article upon the
needs of a man, but of the need OF the
Negro race in the United States. have
travelled much, both north and south,
east and west, and | find that where
there is most education there is less
immortality, crime and prejudice. Hence
say need of the race is more good
teachers. A properly conducted school
will develop the pupils mentally, phys
ically and morally. Teachers who are
not thus developed should become so,
or step aside for those who are thus
equipped.
If am not clear in telling how a
teacher may become cultured and re-
fined and possessed Of common sense by
attending teachers normal, will add
a remark which will perhaps throw
more light upon the subject. Educa-
ton conduces to the advancement OF
culture and refinement and to the fur
ther development OF common sense.
sWe~de not expectzthe errors oi .tile past
to be obliterated by attendance at q
normal, but repetition of the same
errors to he prevented. 1t is not sup
posed that common sense can be made
and put into the students heads, but it
is expected to develop what is there.
Mr.. j. says such teachers may do
much toward the solution of this ques-
tion. "but something else is needed. .
True. He mentions the something
else" to be religious training, and calls
| for .)ess of the mixture of ignorance,
visionary and dreamy theories about
religion, even in the churches OF Chi
cago." Again let me request the gen
tleman to read my letter in the CAPITAL
of January I'd. lie will see l there
mention another need Of the race
''brilliancy. purity and common sense in
/ the pulpit" MY remarks were for the
ministry of the United States. We have
some excellent ministers and teachers
and their work is giving tone and indie
pendence to those with, whom they
come in contact, and to whom they
impart such valuable knowledge. Let
us have more. Our Chicago writer
mentions the work done by the white
missionaries and says they should d'
more. | say let us do for ourselves
also. The ministry must be educated
or it will not have less of ignoranc'
and visionary theories. The youth o
to-day must become the minister o
tomorrow. If he is not placed in
school properly conducted by efficien
teachers, he will not become the min
lister of his day. Are not efficien
teachers all all important requisite t
race advancement? Education, virtu
I and influence must win, be it mort
or south, east or west.
| am pleased to see few word
from Mr.. Jones upon the subject, an
trust he will carefully read what
have written. | am somewhat give
: to business and have also met with
degree of success. The school prepare
: me for life. / owe much to my II
structors. I have always found merl
! upon the top, and deem it neceSsar
to place the best material in the chai
! and pulpit. Sincerely,