Mexico weekly ledger., 1901-09-12
SUGGESTION ABOUT COUNTRY
SCHOOLS

~ hA4AA44h1 -
"a Good Samaritan loaned me .
copy OF the Special Farmers Institute
Edition As / am an ~ex-teacher,
mother Of q family and q taxpayer,
wish to take up the topic, Country
School Teachers and turn every side
10 the white light Of reason. Let US
ca@nare the country teacher with the
nurse girl Of the city, mentally, NOR
ally, physically, socially and hnan-
cially: Your teacher receives s2I0 for
six months service, less SIS for board,
els for institute work and books, $40
fm the Nasaai ~coarse-total expense,
sl03, leaving sl07 with which toclothe
herself and pay board during the en-
forced idienesS, for we must assume
that she Is not Of the laboring class
and must continue her studies to keep
in touch with the progress Of time Or
retrograde.
1.-THE nurse girl receives sls per
month for twelve months, with her
board, washing and time for social
advantages included, also a vacation
Of two 70 four weeks, with railroad
fare furnished free.
Everything is done TO elevate the
nurse girl. 70 ct her for the compan-
i0nship Of the children instructed to
her care. she receives her salary from
an individual who lever taunts her
with the insinHati0n that her salary
is too great, as does one writer when
she SaFs, the farmer must be well on
before he can afford TO do it. Besides,
the nurse girl is not exposed TO the
inclemency Of the weather, as is the
teacher, and ! am sure that the sls2
to clothe herself against the $50 left
to the teacher, after the years board
and expenses are deducted IS worthy
|nf consideration. At this rate our
country school will 90 untaught' Does
the farmer employ the teacher: No;
it IS the community at large. He, as
an individual, pays a very small per
cent a s35 salary is an outrage, for
it has taken years Of patient study
and much expense to prepare for the
work and which must be reimbursed
before there IS any proHt. but IS board
Is no less an outrage, for such board is
not conducive to high mental activity
in teacher, parent or child. In COM
munity where cheap teachers are in
demand and but fes months educa-
tional advantage, you viii find q peO-
pie barely able to read, susceptible to
the evil or wrong side OF every qaes-
ton - wholly unable to realize a
standard Of fitness Of those to whom
they eonfde their children to pilot
the mind through the storms Of life;
10 mould the character, to weaken
whatever is wrong, enlarge and
strengthen that which is right. The
happiness Of our nation Is bound up in
its virtue and intelligence.
Demand a high standard Of intel
lect in your teacher. Remunerate
them accordingly, that they may not
be forced TO an ss board system, which
Is a sad state of affairs. Give them
your hearty cooperation. Your very
presence would lend inspiration to
greater efforts. Be liberal in your ex-
presSlons Of kindness and cheer. Make
the teacher your friend; cause her To-
feel that you have an mate desire for
a better understanding Of existing
conditions; and perhaps have not the
time to seek it I'll the depths Of history
and science, and it is your purpose to
benefit by her society. Be in harmony
with her; stimulate her pride and
ambition; give her unlimited scope
for thought and action, for we cannot
tell what new thing a little child may
suggest as If by inspiration, which
may be crushed through a fear Of con-
demnation by the old fogyism of the
patrons.
1.-THE school room is the hot-bed Of
all future progression and wisdom,
and your child may be the one whose
name shall be deeply craven on the
tablets Of time for some ennobling
thought or elevated idea.
''Try the plan Of inviting the teach
er to your home for an evening, that
you may have an opportunity TO drink
from the fountain Of knowledge. The
lack Of sociability sometimes causes a
sad misunderstanding between teacher
and parent, for the proud spirited
teacher cannot drop in on you unin-
Rited. Show her your good viii and
sympathy and YOU will learn to your
joy that she hungered for 1t and is not
looking down on you as YOU sup
posed.
"Dispel the idea OF 'oyerburdened
time and strength by grasping the
opportunity to brighten your neglect
ed intellect by actual contact with
the fresher mind, that is sparkling
with wit and illumined with science
and history. Keep yourself In touch
with the world through your teachers.
while l think the idea Of IS board
IS deplorable, the $50 salary is no less
50. l am a widow, but 1 would gladly
take a bright lady teacher, with a $50
intellect free Of charge, for 10 me it
would be a literary treat and by the
close Of the term | should feel myself
the debtor, for knowledge is gained By
its outlets as well as its lnlets. The
s35 standard, as maintained in this
community, does not satisfy my ideal.
and | would rather lend my voice and
pen to cause teachers to utterly for.
sake the ranks Of such an unremuner-
alive calling than to support and
countenance conditions that bring us
but the scum Of the fraternity. Higher
standard, better pay,combined efforts,
mutual understanding and good will
shall bring about a better state of
affairs"