Birmingham age-herald., 1895-04-14

straight" and the proper political pulp may be all the qualifications required for the office. A policeman gets $75 a month or upward. His educational eil- dowments may consist in his ability to write his name legibly and the art of using his bludgeon to the best advant- age. SheriffS and policemen may grad uate to their positions from the blow or the lumber camp-no previous training and consequent. expense is required. They are the representatives of muscle. In furcble contrast to this condition are the qualifications and emoluments of our brain workers. Let us Illustrate by talk ing a certain class and giving few figures. The teachers in our public schools in southern towns and cities receive from $300 to $500 per annum. They do not step into their positions after the manner of the officials referred to. They have to qualify by years of patient study, after which their eligibility is tested by rigid examination. In many cases the necessary course of study Is taken at ceiving their appointment as teacher, their efficiency continues to be tested by regular and trying examinations. More than this may be added. A good teacher, like poet, must be born, not made" A teacher may possess every literary qualification for the work and may still be a failure, because lacking that fine intuition of how best to deal with the different mental caliber and disposition of the pupils. Teachers who lack this latter and important essential of their profession are generally not allowed to hold their positions very long, which fact is in itself a convincing proof that noth- ing less than the highest standard of ability will be accepted in those who seek to occupy the position of a teacher in the public school.
 It will be evident from these compar- isons that from a financial standpoint muscle is a much better commodity than brains in the southern market. It se- cures it's position more easily and is much better paid. That this condition of affairs is radically wrong must be evident to all who give the subject even the most cursory attention. That 1t is productive of much that Is to be req gretted must also be apparent. It con- pcls southern talent to seek a more re- munerative field for it's exercise. In the western and some of the eastern states teachers are paid twice, and in some cases three times the salaries paid in the south. The same may be said of tho other learned professions. The most emi- nent physicians in New York city are men of southern birth and training. The same is true of journalists. They elected to try their fortunes there, not so much because it offered d more inviting and profitable field, but chiefly because they realize that brain work as exemplihed by professional ability did not receive fitting recognition and emolument in their own section.
 Education in the south has reached as high a standard of excellence as else where, and it is time that it should be deemed worthy of an equal reward. Those whose mission it is and will be to educate our children and our children's children should receive a remuneration for their services proportionate to the onerous and responsible nature of their task Let mind be rated above muscle. Protect our public schools Through their civilizing influences the duties of the policeman and the sheriH are re duced to a minimum. Be generous to the noble band of teachers, who, throughout all this fair southland. dis charge their duties to their employers and society SC faithfully and well. "rhis is an educational age" Let our ed ucators be recognized as its efficient and all potent factors. OBSERV FER.