New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-04
ON TEACHERS SALARIES.
THE SCHEDULE PRESENTED BY THE
COMMITTEE ON RULES CRITICISED.
TEACHERS FILE TIER COMPLAINTS WITH THE
BOARD OF NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.

C1SM Is INVITED
The Tribune recently published report OF the pro-
posed schedule OF salaries for public school teachers
which the Committee on Rules has presented TO the
Board OF Superintendent for consideration Crti-
csm was invited by Elijah u. Clark. president OF the
committee. teacher who submitted letter 10 the
committee In which she commented on the propose1
schedule has forwarded the only Woman's Page a
coov OF her letter saving: Il send H. knowing The
Tribune and its readers are interested in all that
pertains 70 the welfare of common schools ana
the proposed changes IN our school system
Permit me 20 denounce the examinations for
teachers" she says. among other things lhev
are preposterous for teachers who have laid "S.ne
theories and useless capital boarded during college
DAVIS and have devoted themselves 10 attaining rrac-
tical ends In the actual everyday schoolroom
Subject your graduate. if you will 20 multi
pci;y Of examinations while the subjects are fresh
IN mind. Require her to keep prepared II YOU WILL
for similar examinations three later but
provide her all the while with feasible course OF
lectures and cultivate her mind while she Is IN me
best condition &c receive such improvement IL may
not be generally known that at the expiration OF five
years a public school teacher loses that VIM mat
enthusiasm with which she entered upon her work
Her life's blood has become v!tiated with ioui an
her spirit dullcd with the and tear consequent
upon doing battle with multitudinous dispositions
Nothing can repair the OF brain tissue. for the
host Of children in her charge. from time to tnne'
are so many parasites feeding upon and exhausunS
the nerve energy Of the teacher NJ H.
THE DAY OF THE SPECIALIST.
Another teacher writes: Permit me to indorse
heartily any scheme which regulates teachers sal
aries according TO length OF years in the service In
my estimation my own personal experience proves
the Justice OF the plan. For fourteen years have
been a teacher in the public schools and command al
present the dsgracefu salary OF $50 per month Ana
yet have been the chief support all ms llme Oh
iamly Of four. This salary PROVIDES for the meas:s
supper, Of only one in city like New-York II he mas
the true necessities OF life Is not ms a sunicen.y
discouraging of affairs? Why shoud Inc over
woTkfd ho9T y Pa her h H SCHOOL etas
draw good salaries which pioyde them ana tnQs{ n
scarcely appreciate the sorry position Of the cher
in the ranks, poddng on her tresGme; weary WAY
if9ay sasCc1ificg hersslf 10 an empty cause
the classes a. 3 and c and the proposed eXamina
were compelled to pass an examination in literature
for instance because increase OF salary depended
Valuable to be expended FOR the necessary prepare
ton unless was to be allowed 10 teach tne Slblec,
a specially or be granted degree that J might
seek such position eisewhere. There should be
voted to quickly exhausiing trade which has paid
so poorly: ,lsn for spec,al teaching in o,,r
common schools would certainly amciiorae the con-
dtion Of the teacher and not retard. but advance,
teaching. The hard-driven teacher who now must
crowd the day with dozen subjects and perforce
would much prefer to make speciality Of one and
become perfected herself and perfect her pupils in
that branch. Then examine tons might he in order
among teachers choosing different branches.
ITO prepare for the future, the last year OF the
college course could be devoted TO the branch the
young teacher chose 10 pursue. The day OF the spe
cialst in ali lines has arrived and the remuneration
will be commensurate with the excellence achieved.
a. L."
Mrs Mariana W. Chapman. president Of the
Brooklyn Womans Club, says the various women's
clubs in Brooklyn have simply asked the proper
city officials for the appointment or women as
members Of the Board OF Education Fifteen mem
bers are 20 be appointed at the next meeting. The
services OF the men in office have not been
questioned but the women wish women 10 have
representation on the Board