The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1892-05-27
Our Public Schools.

SuR huoic oonoois.r 3 iS 81
We cannot fully endorse sof oofrs respondent
yox's idea Of oallins upon The L>rislaturs
to change the school Nv aba .iax each par.
ent 81 per head fsr 80 6nild within schoe,
age Such : coppulsofy TAX would bs
both oppressive ana unjust to the poorer
c'ass Of our citizens. There is as much truth
rs poetry IN the saying, .'a poor man
for children" and II our friend will
canyass among the families of hi, ac-
qusintance. NO believe be will End that
very large majority OF the children
belong to families tho least able to bear
the burden of the tax We, however, would
like to see some equitable pan adopted by
which the school fund c,n be increased.
Like the road law, thers arc to, many citi-
zens enjoying the benefits of the public
schools who are well able to Fay q heavier
tax than tho law now imposes We would
like to see the people in every school District
voluntarily vote two mill tax upon them
selves for school purposes, but if that can
not be accomplished, we must lease the
matter of longer school terms and more
thorough teaching to the liberality Of those
who can appreciate tho necessity and bless
ings Of moro education among the masses
and arc willing to sacraics something to
il.
Vox will find US right by his side upon
any equitable plan that promises to raise q
sufficient amount in each school District to
induce fully competent young men and
Ladies 10 take charge Of our public schools
aud keep them open at least months in
the year. The present school system i,
what may be called an expensive farce.
In tho first place, three months POOR pay
in year is NJ inducement for q competent
Teacher to take school. If he or she i,
good for anything they can get steady and
more satisfactory employment all the year
round, at bettor pay. What we want, moro
than anything else in our pubic schools, is
Professional School Teachers. Teachers
who intend to make teaching their life bust
ness. Such teachers will not only feel
proud Of their calling and individually
exert every effort to exalt it to the high est
standard of social, moral and intellectual
efficiency, but will have an impslling self
pride to base their regulations upon the
results Of their labors in the school room.
1t isl noble calling, to train the intellect
OF the youth of our country, and none but
those who are fully competent, intellectually
and morally, to impress their young hearts
with wholesome knowledge should be iu-
trusted with 50 momsntous . charge. Such
Teachers are in demand in the moro sd-
Vanced institutions of learning. at good
salaries, but they are actually moro needed
in our public or primary schools. the very
nurseries Of higher education, upon what
may be called that law Of n,turs-"as
the twing is bent the trees inclined" Bot
We cannot get them in our public schools
under the present parsimonious system.
We have always thought that the educa-
tion Of our children should be considered
as much business of parents as any occu-
patton to provide them food aua clothing.
and still think We shall never get comps-
tent business Teachers until the people cor
olude that the education of their children
is as essential 10 their future welfare as the
'-'~''- "i~ =" s"eii Preo.os IuruIu
health and comfort, and are as ready md
.,Rilli mo- To = 4