The Weekly Tallahasseean., 1901-03-21

to read were questioned; yet the
great world of the life-giving liter
ature of our mother tongue is as far
bevond his reach as though every
line were in Sanskrit.
An instructor of Florida teachers
in an experience reaching some five
hundred teachers Of all classes, rural
and urban, has found upon their
own confession that a startlingly
large proportion Of them have never
read a single book aside from the re-
uuired text books. A few dozen Only y
are familiar with the works of our
popular novelists and poets, while the
readers of histories and essays are
few indeed. If we accept the state
ment that to read is to scan the
printed page and in response have
formed in our minds the thoughts
of the author, to have vivid images
painted upon the mental canvas, or
the depths Of our being stirred with
the emotions which exalt mankind,
how many of our teachers could es-
cape registration upon the census
takers list of illiterates?
What vitality can there be in the
teaching of one whose mind is print
ed in plea and bound in cloth? Or
consider the inspiration for the pu-
pill in the teacher whose teaching
brain was shipped by freight from
New York and retailed at fifty cents
a copy?
In the sharp every day competi-
ton which engages the businessman,
the politician, the man of any sort
in the world struggle for success,
his originality, his aptitude, his find
ing out of things which are not
known to others, his ready applica-
ton Of his knowledge TO the incl
dents Of his environment, these are
the measures Of his success. But the
teacher is asked only to know the
contents of some imported text
books, mere aids or convenienceS In
teaching, and should an examination
question be framed to test his gen.
eral information or his originality
of mind, his indignant protest "not
in the book" is warmly supported
by school officials, patrons and his
fellow martyrs.
Far be it from me to harshly crit
icize the teachers of Florida, an hon
est and earnest body, or to include
all in these comments. At the worst
they teach as they were taught
Their teachers before them Were
'gerund-grinders" and had their in.
tellects manufactured in New En-
gland printing offices.
How long must our State submit
to dishonorable dependence? How
long must we moan our poverty
while untold wealth lies undevelopeC
all about us? How long must w
look to the North and West for OF
iginal thinkers to develop and en-
JOY the resources of Florida? How
long must we import teachers wht
can fill our best schools creditably
How long must we buy our thought
from book companies? Until W,
insist that the schools teach Florid;
children to think for themselves.
How can we secure this condition
First, by making it possible througl
> a liberal support Of the schools
Second, by selecting school official
who can and will direct the liberia
funds provided to the end demand
ed. Third, by securing teachers VIII
have in addition to an abundant tex
book education and the necessar
professional preparation, general in
! formation, independence of thought
and the true conception Of the rea
purpose of education-en enabling tn
pupil to think independently.
To secure these teachers we mus
have examining boards of profession
al and business men and women O
the highest ability, with full author
ity to test upon common sense
Teachers will rise to the highes
standard set for them, if their com
pensation is made commensurate
and normal and training school ia
cilities are adapted to the demands
This Is What They Say.
Those who take Hoods SarsapariT
for scrofuls, eczema, eruptlons, catarrl
= rheumatism or dyspepsia, say it cur'
. promptly and permanently, even afte
all other preparations fail. You ma
take this mediiine with the utmost con
Ia tidence that it will do you good. Wha
it has done for 0thora Won haUo ovor-