The weekly messenger., 1893-10-14
SATURDAY, OCTOBER ID, I8o;
IS 1T JEALOUSY?
Mr.. Editor:

Mr.. Editor:
twish to supplement my remarks in
your last issue with few thoughts
bearing more directly upon the subject
which gave rise to them. As seliishness
seems TO be the main lever in Origina-
ting every enterprise, whether great or
small, or the advancement Of every Opia-
ion. however Insignificant. do not ex.
pect to escape the charge Of having my
sentiments tinctured with self-interest.
The action of the school board in increa-
sing the salary Of teacher Of the ST..
Martinville public school. developed the
existence Of the opinion among some
that his salary cannot, in justice to the
teachers, in the country, be increased
without raising theirs. Is that opinion
founded upon reason? It will not stand
the test of common sence. Our public
school here war intended to Do high
school in fact as we'll as In name; 1t is
useless to 60 into details as to what con-
stitutes high school, for the name in
dicates that such school requires
higher grade Of qualifications to cs'n-
duct it successfully than a country
school. Even If 1t has not attained the
rank to which its name entities it, the
question is not changed, for IL the school
Is not in charge Of one capable Of eleva-
ting 1t to the grade Of high school, he
ought to be discharged and some one
employed who is. But il hc is possessed
of the requisite requirements it is not
an injustice to increase his salary with.
out increasing salary OF those who teach
In the country. Every one with ordi-
nary intelligence. or practical know
ledge knows that In starting every new
enterprise. superior, knowledge either
natural or acquired, is necessary to
make it a success; more particularly, is
this essential when the undertaking il
antagonized by natural prejudice and
education. The branches that are being
taught in our public school here have
placed it far above the grade of the
schools in the country. In some states
the salaries are regulated by the grade
Of the certificates held by the teachers,
in states in which the law does not spe. |
city or limit the amount Of salary, the
higher grade certificates are considered |
evidences of superior qualifications, and
the teachers holding them are paid sc-
cordingly. So we find that the law and
public sentiment in other states recO.
gnizs the justice of paying teachers se-
cording to the evidences Of superior
attainments. The wisdom
Of this policy is supported by the plan
Of some of the best educated and most
experienced city Superintendants Of
placing the primary departments in
charge Of the teachers holding the high
'st grade certificates. It requires neith-
'r sOphistry nor erudition to expose the
Of entertaining the idea that
,ur public school in st. Martlnville can '
,e permanently kept in operation even
With limited success, with the present
alto of salaries between its teachers
nd those who teach In the country.
The ranks Of the friends Of Progress are
Increasing. and the impedsrs will soon
70 heard exclaiming, 20 that had low.
d my God more and served my country
etter." To mind not influenced by
rejudice. it seems strange that there
hould be any difference Of opinion up
u The subject under discussion. BY
ny rational course of reasoning. one II
ould infer that the people of the par a
h of st. Martin. irrespective of lOcali- u
J.. would feel a pride in seeing our pu- =,
ic school in st. Martinville attain a "
position as High School. d.
lough 1t would be unreasonable to ex- p