The courier. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1894-1903, 1900-10-20

penalties fixed AMI appears as legal and
binding as any of them. But listen. In
Adams county in 1893 between eight
and fourteen years Of age, the census
showed 1852 children while 1929 at
tended school. In Lincoln school dis
trict last year 4,722 were returned while
2688 attended. An excellent exam
pie OF public sentiment not behind
the law. II every taxpayer knew the
state would bear q heavier ehare and
his district therefore a lighter one OF
school expense for every additional
child in school, his interest in cOmpul-
sorry education would be quickened.
And then the teacher. She must pass
an examination ia common branches
for q third grade certiica1a-s few ad-
ditionAl subjects for q second grade
and have college course or IFS equivs-
lent for q fret grade one. There is a
prevalent belief, however, that ability to
pass examinations and even the pos
session Of the teaching talent we'll
trained is not all that is required to
procure positions in the teaching world.
So will it be until the schools are dis
tinctly aid forever out Of politics and
that will happen whenever the chill
dren's mothers tell the children's faith
ers that it must happen and parents
work together for that end. This is no
Utopian dream. There are cities and
country schools OF which, had | time, |
could tell you, where mans political
party cuts no more figure in his candi.
dacy for q school Office than his weight
or his height. This condition is what
this Federation could bring about in
Nebraska and thereby have answered
forever the question sometimes i'm
pertinently put. For what is the Fed.
Grafton? 1t has come to my ears very
lately that in Omaha. the teachers are
on CIVIL service basis, put there by the
efforts of the Omaha women.-l doubt
not, the Omaha Woman's Club, to
which all honor for this good work.
There are more than 5000 teachers in
Nebraska, more that 1000 of whom are
women. They touch our children
closer, influence them more profoundly
than any body or thing outside our own
homes. Do we know who they are!
What their fitness for this trust? We
should make it our first consideration.
We do, if We make it any at all. put it
nearer the last. IL we valued teachers
as we should, stood by them helping
them in their struggles as they do US in
ours to bring our children up we'll,
would public sentiment permit that
when this teacher is a woman, she be
paid % per cent less than man for the
same work? We do Lot put teaching as
a profession when we must il We would
make ours state famed for its man
hood. When we make people our chief
produce, teachers and parents will re-
ceive the consideration accorded to
those who do the business in q COM
munity. Let us pay teachers as we'll az
we can in money without running in
debt. As for debt let US oppose it al
ways and cut the garment according to
the cloth 10 public as in private affairs.
But we can add the money, honor and
consideration. They deserve it There
is no more conscientious and devoted
body of workers as class than teachers
What induces a good lawyer to give up
his practice aud serve this state as
Judge for half what he can earn in the
practice? There are things besides
money that lead peopla to certain yoca-