The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1902-07-19
The Teacher and His Salary.
Ebert Hubbard saws in the July PhiIistin.

ana SALARY
Ebert Hubbard says in the July Phlistine:
1t is a great thing to teach. I am never
more compli mented than when someone ad
dresses the as ''teachcr.'' To give yourself
in a way that will inspire others to think, to
do, to Eecome-what nobler ambition To
be a good teacher demands a high degree of
altruism, for one must be willing to sink
self, to de-as it wcre-that others NAV
| live. There is something in it very much
akin to raotherhood--a brooding quality.
Every true mother rea lies times that her
children are only loaned to her-sent from
God-and the attributes of her body and
mind are being used by some Power for a
Purpose. The thought tends to refine the
heart of its dross. Obiterate pride and make
her feel the sacre'lness of her office. All
good men everywhere recognize the holiness
of thcrhood this miracle 10y which the
race survives.
There is a touch of pathos in the thought
that while lovers live to make themselves
necessary to each other, the mother *
working to make herself unnecessary to her
children. The true mother is training her
children to do without her. .AnG the entire
intent of right teaching is to enable the
scholar to do without his teacher. Gradua-
ton takes place at the vanishing point IF
the teacher.
Yes the efficient teacher has in him much
Of this mother quality. Ihoreau, you re-
member, said that all great men were es-
sentially feminine: if he had teachers in mind
his remark certainly true. The men of
much motive power are not the best
teachers-the arbitrary and imperative type
that would bend all minds match its own
may build bridges, tunnel mountains dis
cannot teach. In the presence of such
towering personality freedom dies spon-
taneity droops aud thought sinks away into
a corner. The brooding quality, the pa
tence that endures, and the yearning of
all absent. The man is a
commander, not teacher: and there vet
remains grave doubt whether the warrior
and ruler have not used their influence more
t" make this world the place of a skull than
the abode OF happiness and prosperity. The
orders to Kill all the first born. and those
over ten years of age, were not given by
teachers.
The teacher is one who makes two ideas
grow where there only one before.
Just here seems good place to say that
we live in very stupid old world. round
like an orange and slightly fattened II the
polls. The proof of this seeming pessimistic
remark. made by a hopeful and cheerful
man, lies in the fact that we place small
premium in either honor or money on the
business of teacher. AS in the olden time
oarhers and solutions ranked with musicians.
md the Master of the Hounds wore bigger
medal than the Poet Laureate, SO do we paw
our teachers the same as coachmen and coal
beavers, give them plentiful lack of
everything but overwork.
will never be quite willing to admit that
his country is Enlightened until we cease
he lnane and parslmonious policy of trying
o drive all the really strong men and
women out Of the teaching profession by
putting them on the pay roll one half the
ate or less, than what the same brains and
mercy can command elsewhere. In this
ear of our Lord, nineteen hundred and two.
n a time OF peace. we have appropriated
our hundred million dollars for war and
var appliances, and this sum just double
he cost Of the entire public school system
If America.
1t IS not the necessity of economy that
ictates our action in this matter of educa-
lon-wc simply are not enlightened.
But this thing cannot always last-I look
or the time when we shall set apar, the
'est and noblest men and women of earth
or teachers, and their compensation will be
o adequate that they will be free to give
themselves FIR the benefit of the race. with
'ut apprehension Of yawning almshouse
\ liberal policy will be for our own good.
ust as a matter of cold eNpediency; it will
,e Enlightened Self Interest
Hot Days III Billville