The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1898-12-14

erS ASSOclaLlOn. ID WHICH liz CLEARLY
indicated the advisability of a disso-
luton of co partnership. In his
opinion the Charlotte, Columbia and
Augusta Railroad should be the d.
viding line and meeting cf the
teachers held on the north side and
one on the south side of said lire.
We hesitated to reply in the hope
that some teacher who has the life Of
the association weighing on his mind
would come to its rescue by urging
a more compact union Of the leach
ers of the county and more hearty
cooperation and a deeper interest in
the commendable work of the asso-
ciltion. Not one of the teachers, how
ever, either has not that interest 10
the matter that the should have, or
the proposition is not considered in
serious light, hence reply was not
necessary. In our opinion both
views are incorrect and they should
not be entertained for moment.
Our observation leads US to the be-
lief that the situation is very dis
couraging TO the little band of mem
bers who are so nobly striving to
keep the waving spark of its exist
ence alive and to awaken new inter-
est among the teachers in the aims
and objects Of the association. AS
it is, with only one association in the
field, it is an uphill piece of business
to infuse that life and vigor into the
association which are so necessary to
keep it numbered among the things
that are and do exist. There is ab-
solutely no room for second associa-
tion. The field is neither wide or
nor broad enough, nor is the material
necessary to supply the strength and
energy too plentiful t, keep two
associations having the same aims and
objects in view alive and in active
operation. Better bend every energy
and effort to the upbuiling of one
good, healthy and strong association
SO that it can perform its functions
in natural and easy manner, unen-
numbered by the dread of disruption,
dissolution and death, so that the
best results can be obtained, rather
than to have two poverty stricken
associations, producing nothing but
dead fruit valuable only for monu-
meot to human folly.
In this connection it is not ont OF
place to say that the members of the
present association have taken COM
mendable zeal in its behalf. They
have labored both in and out of sea
son; amid the sunshine and the storm,
to make it hourishing success. In
teresting and instructive programs
have been arranged embracing q1es-
tions and subjects of vast import
ance to the profession, and no effort
has been spared to make the meet,
ings both pleasant and profitable to
teachers; yet, Notwithstanding these
inducements, it is a lamentable fact
and a sad commetary upon the devo-
tion of teachers to their life work, that
they have been but slimlr attended.
There seems to be want ofgeneralin-
tsrestamong the teachesin in th:s,e ;pect
and an apparent lack of appreciation
for the great work of Improvement
undertaken by this association. This
absence upon the meetings is more
noticeable among the female than
the male teachers. The very ones
whose presence is most needed to
give life and flavor, essence and tone
to these meetings are generally else
where when they should have graced
the meetings with their charming
presence. This state of affairs
should no longer exist, and each
teacher in the county should re-
solve that there shall be decided
change for the better in this respect.
These meetings have been very help
full to those who have attend them in
in the past and many valuable and
helpful lesson has been learned by
hearing fellow teacher relate Incl
dents in1the school room from bis
OVID personal experiences, and the
practical experiences Of others in the
school room, and the teachers have
thus been enabled to 60 out to their
tedious and patience trying duties
to apply the lessons learned to their
necessities and then wonder why they
did not think of such mode before.
1t is just as much a duty the
teachers owe themselves, the pa
irons, and the tender little buds in
the garden of childhood, the develop
mens of whose character they are
largely instrumental, to attend these
meetings, learn how to teach as it is