Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1896-07-04

about the necessity OF increasing the
teachers salary. The minister lis
tened patiently to Mr.. Goodman's
proposition, and sanctioned all that
he said, but, at the same time, to the
surprise of Mr.. Goodman, confessed
that in regard to his salary and f.
nancial relations, he was in the same
boat with the poor teacher.
"My God,' exclaimed Mr.. Good
man, "why is it that among all 9TH
ers, the best and most deserving men
must be subject to want and suffer-
ing, while many simpleton, igno-
ramus or brawler, who is only use
less figure in the community, rolls
in wealth, and looks down in scorn
upon his betters, "whose shoelatchet
he is not worthy to unloose." This
is wrong, sinfully wrong, and should
be remedied.
Actuated by these feelings, Mr..
Goodwin suggested and proposed
that at proper time call should
be issued to the members ofthe con-
gregation for meeting for the pur-
pose OF taking this matter into SER
ious consideration and propose
plan Of action. As every one re-
posed implicit confidence in Mr..
Goodwin, his suggestion found uni
versal favor, and was carried out &C.
cordingly. In due time the propos-
ed meeting was held in the audience
room Of the church.
"Friends and fellow citizens" said
|. Mr.. Goodman, addressing the as
sembly, "we have met on this occa.
sion for good and worthy purpose
--one that concerns not only these
worthy men, our minister and our
teacher, but every citizens of this
community, and though this purpose
is known to most Of those present,
yet it is necessary that some one
should state the object of our assem-
bling together here and now. By
common expectation and consent,
it deyolves upon me to perform that
duty. In word, our object is to
make an effort to raise the salaries
of our minister and our teacher.
But before We proceed any further,
| deem it necessary to ask this ques-
ton, Have you reason to be entire
ly satisfied with the conduct and la
bors of these men in their calling p"
There was unanimous affirmative
answer to the question. "Then,'
continued Mr.. Goodman, "there is
the more reason that such good and
deserving men should have your
ready and liberal support. Dear
brethren, just think what they are to
US and the community. What would
become of our children, yea, all of
us, had we not faithful instructors
both in the school and in the church,
whose solemn duty and earnest work
it is to implant and develop the good
seed of morals and religion in our
hearts, and to inform, improve and
enable the mind and the heart? /
ask again what would become of us?
Dear brethren, we would not only
lose all traces of morality and relig-
ion, but even civilization, and degen-
crate into savagism. And how do
we pay those through whose instru-
mentality we escape such a fate ?
Merchants give their clerks, and me-
chanics their apprentices home,
board and lodging, and wages suffi-
cient to maintain themselves decent
ly and respectfully. How do we
treat our minister and teacher who
are infinitely more to US than clerks,
apprentices and servants? 1t pains
me to be compelled to say, that we
allow those to want, suffer and strug-
gle whose work is not only one of
momentous responsibility, but one
of supreme Importance in the devel-
opment of humanity, knowledge,
morality and religion. 1t is work
10 which they should not be allowed
to be hindered or hampered by the
necessaries and comforts of life, es.
pecially as modesty and the nature
of their calling and position forbid
them to make demands, personally,
In the dlrectl0n OF increasing their
meagre salaries. 1t is sad to think
that in their straitened circumstances
they spend many sorrowful day
and sleepless night. Every day there
seems to be an advance in the price
of articles of consumption, but no
corresponding rise in wages and sal
aries to the poor class of wage-earn-
ers. Merchants, manufacturers,pro-
fessional men (and women) and most
persons engaged in secular pursuits
can contend for and often secure
higher prices, wages or salaries as
the case may be, but the most i'm
portant professions of all, the minis.
ter and teacher, have, in most cases,