Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1896-05-21
The "Cinch" of the Normal.

not De DOtnered with examinations In
the future. He as graduate of pri-
vate school may be man of the finest
attachments, with a completely equip
ped mind, yet in competing for schools
he is put to the trouble and expense
of an examination, while some medic
ere competitor who has bumped his
way through State Normal has but
to present his diploma from an institu-
ton that would not be known outside
of the county in which it is located,
were it not for the blood it draws fl ON
the people through the State treasury.
The Normal lobby in this State is quite
as shrewd as the railroad lobby. 1t
has secured special advantages to State
schools, in order to place private
schools at a disadvantage. A young
man who wishes to engage in teaching
may very much prefer some private
institution. He may not have been
greatly Impressed with the graduates
from the State Normals with whom he
has come in contact, yet he will be apt
to decide in favor Of the State school
on account of the arbitrary advantages
it confers upon him. 1t gives him the
| advantage of certificate that never
dies. His power to teach may be re-
voked for misconduct upon his part,
but it does not terminate of itself. The
proprietor of the private school natur-
ally regards it as a hardship that the
State should compel him, through its
taxing power, to contribute to the sup
port of rival institutions, and then con-
fer upon those institutions, built in part
with his money. privileges that have a
distinct tendency to wipe his enter
prise from the face of the earth. 1t Is
very much like compelling man to
buy the kerosene with which his house
is to be set on fire by his enemy.
If, in self-defence, the proprietor of
a private school should attend ses-
sion of the legislature, for the purpose
Of laying his grievances before that
body, he would meet there Normal
school lobby, arrogant, selfish, and I'M
scrupulous, backed by ample funds.
(which he would have the satisfaction
of knowing he had helped to furnlsh),
intent upon perpetuating their power
to leech the people through the treas
ury of the State. He would find him
self powerless against the legislative
hypnotist, and know that he is left
wholly unable to compete for that class
of pupils who intend to teach. for the
reason that the State school has secur-
ed, through the legislature, protection
that practically amounts to prohibition,
so far as he is concerned.
We believe the State Normals, from
the very nature of their creation and
subsistence, are inevitably bound to be
a prolific source of corruption. The
Professor who finds himself in COM
Portable position, the salary of which
makes him cheerful with the State
treasury within easy reach-with little
to do and plenty to get-naturally
wants to perpetuate his job. The fact
that he is dependent upon the State for
support gives him keen eye for poll
tics. Being but human, it is reasona-
BILE to expect him to consider the per-
sonal advantages accruing to himself
in the management of his school. Ev
cry graduate is a prop to his institu-
ton, because it makes him member
of a class that is marked by a special
privilege. The graduate has no need
to attend an institute. He is released
from many of the petty annoyances
that bedevil other teachers, for whom
he not infrequently has feeling of
contempt, and regards very much as
a .sscab" workman. The "pull" of the
graduate is another matter that very
naturally enters into the reasons Cor
comforting a diploma upon him. II he
has a large influence his graduation
will be attended with far less difficulty
than if he had none.
The State schools have become in
struments by which the public is being
plucked, as the dead horse is plucked
by buzzards. 1t is high time to call a
halt. 1t would be vastly cheaper to
the State, vastly better for the cause OF
education among the people, to pension
everybody who now draws money by
means of the public educational instit-
utions, turn the property over to the
Professors. and let them sink or swim,
as they deserve.
For SALE-A new One-Horse Wag-
on. One Spring Wagon, Two Open Bug
gies, One Cow aud young Calf. Apply
TO E. G. TUAL, Arcadia, No.