The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1894-04-26
FROM BOON's CREEK.

The people of Boone's Creek are ali
rejoicing of the prospects OF having
lew blackberries. Z
Times are beginning to look pros
porous in our country. Mrs. J. A.
Galloway is having wood shed built
and Mr.. James ]. Hale is going to
begin making brick soon. These are
the only industries we have had since
the panic, except few chicken coops.
There is q sentiment in our COM
munity that teachers wages should be
reduced. fear those who are advo-
eating this platform are ignorant oil
educational progress and educational
statistics. | claim that the teachers
Of Washington county are more poorly
compensated for their labors than any
other class of people, the common la
borer not excepted. will substan'
tiate my assertion by quoting IRON
the educational reports OF the state Tor
the years 1891 and 1892. In 1891 the
total number of teachers employed
in the county was 90, The total
amount paid them was Sl4,243S2,
making an average OF $l54.o2- as
yearly salary. In 1892 the total num-
Der of teachers employed was 81. The
total amount paid them was $l4 1883,
making an average yearly salary oil
S153.44-. | am sorry / have not the
report Of 1898, but / feel sure it is no
better. Can any man or woman make
profession OF teaching and live at
such salary? / admit that there
might be some school teachers en-
oloyed for smaller salary, but what
would be the character OF our schools
in few years? Could we boast OF
.. Washington county as having an IN
telligent citizenship? No, "a stream
will not rise higher than its source.
8 Neither will men or women prepare
t themselves for a work which will no:
t secure them living. live intend to
t have good schools we must have gooo
t teachers; if we are to demand good
;: citizenship we must have good schools
y The great educational thinkers hold
n that teaching should be made pro
n fession in the same manner as the Law
Is and medicine are professions. They
n say: "The general purpose that car
Sc ries young men to schools OF theology
g medicine, and law, calls others tt
e. normal schools" Mr.. Fitch, a grea
e. educational writer and lecturer. SAT-
Teaching is the noblest OF all pro.e'
sions, but it is the sorriest OF trades.
This statement is virtually true today
US and will continue to be so until pal
to ents come to realize that cheap labo
no in the school room means lnefhclen
ct. and cheap work. The common argl
ee ment that the teachers wages shout
ed he lowered is che is making MOI
m money than the farmer" Farmer
Ia who are making from 800 to 800 busl
lily els Of wheat. from 400 to 600 bushe
lat Of corn, from SIS to 500 worth
'ur grass, and from 5000 to $500 on oth'
Ike commodities will argue such. Whel
see ever the teacher produces this arg
aid ments to them, they say, ooh we a.
tn not clearing that amount OF none
lite yearly. Our expenses destroy o.
ma profits. That may be SO, but does r
his the teacher have expenses also? !
our YOU suppose he can save that $3.50, al
no. support a family for nothing? n
t to the teachers of our common puo
any schools are not saving anything elth'
,rty Another argument which ispresent
rec. ia this: The teacher ought, after
'wn school closes, 60 out and work by t
ops dav. it matters not what nor whe
are in ditch, in cess pool or on re
step pile. I do not claim that such VIC
bar would be dishonorable-I hold tt
anything that is honest is honorat
but | claim, to make success,
teach has enough work to do, and
~ much as he can do, if he does his du
! J to devote all Of his time to school wo
he'd How many people, if they had
.o,r pending in court, involving them
- - ...-..ao "A dc.llnrn runl1ld III