The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1896-11-28

lBy J. Fairbanks. City snpr. and counzy Commits
sioner. Springfield NO., 70 Journal Educafioni
heartily favor if, because in 1t L
see the most potent agent for raising
public education to the highest posi-
Bile state Of efficiency.
1t is rational, practical, logical,
economical, founded on sound princi-
pies, and will bear every test Of the
seyerest scrutiny.
ny other plan is inefficient, tenn
porary, defendable and excusable
only in a primitive condition or state
Of ignorance.
Education is supposed to be pow
er, or force, or agent, or machine of
great completely. and Of vast posi-
bilities. 1t is something too compli-
Gated, too nice in its adjustments, too
insinuating, and TOO far reaching in
its results to he in the hands of
novices. We must have trained men
and women, or better still, minds fit
ted by nature, and prepared by care
full training to properly adjust it and
manipulate it. Civil service for teach
ers means trained teachers-it means
more, it means that no man or woman
not fitted by nature as we'll as by prop
er education will be permitted to en-
ter that charmed circle of "Civil Ser
vice for Teachers"
Our normal schools for teachers will
have to be regenerated or placed upon
a new basis Not every one who en-
tiers the training school as now, will
be permitted to graduate, however
high his intellectual ability may be,
nor will he be kept in the training
school after he is found to be wanting
in the essential elements OF success
full teacher.
The first duty of the normal school
will be to find out If the applicant for
the sacred mission has the right ma
terial in him, and II not, dismiss him
or cast him out, not educate him for
mission nature never intended him to
| fill. In this way every graduate from
one of these normal schools will be a
teacher, an educator, an instructor,
and should be for life. Why change
him when his right mission has been
found and he has been properly fitted
for its duties He should be placed
beyond the influence of all politicians,
partisans of any kind, unwise men,
bers of boards, or the whims or preju-
dice of patrons.
Under such favorable conditions he
is beyond worry and can do his best
work. Such a state Of affairs would
draw to the work the very best talent
In the land and then teaching would
not only become professionalism
now it is not in the country, but the
profession of professions; and the
science of education, If such there be
would be solved.
This would be practical because
there is way to find out il one would
make good teacher, and then when
so found out prepare him for the work,
and keep him at it. 1t is logical be-
cause there would be perfect fitness
of things; every part working to a
plan, and the plan adjusted to meet
the needs 1t would be economical
because there would be the least posi-
BILE waste, and the greatest possible
efficiency from the effort and expense
put forth to accomplish a purpose, or
result. This condition would necessi-
tate much change in the present
school laws, and that the stateshould
assume control Of nearly all matters
pertaining to public education.
1t would necesstate the taxing of
all property proportionally wherever
found, and proper distribution of |
the money raised by the state to the
various districts according to their
needs; thus furnishing good school
to financially weak districts as well as
to rich ones.
Under this plan all schools would
be taught the same length of time, and
by trained and experienced teachers,
and no fayoritism shown anywhere.
Political or religious bias would be
shorn of its power, and the whims of
parents and the plotting of the I'M
scrupulous could not reach the faith
full teacher.
OF course / am taking it for granted
that no one would be permitted to en-
ter upon the sacred mission of teacher
without being in every way qualified
and sanctifled.