Milford chronicle., 1903-05-22
HELPING THE
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
DELIVERED BEFORE THE MILFORD
GRANGE.
The Subject is One Of Interest and is
Published Because Of the Near Ap-
prOach Of School Election.

prOach Of School Election.
In the programme for Subordinate
Oranges, P. of H., of Delaware, one OF
the subjects given for May end was
"Helplng the Public Schools" The
following paper on the subject was read
before Milford Grange, No. 6,by George
H. Teas, a member of that Grange:
There is much that may be 5 id--much
that needs be said on this subject but un-
fortunately as is the case with other mat
tiers that pertain to mankind, those who
know the least about them sometimes
have the most to say, and l shall not be
surprised if you think Josh Billings say
ing, 1--WE all think we can mend the fire
better than the one who holds the poker, "
will apply to me.
We have great abundance of school
laws,su h as they are, but judging from
past experience, I should say, let them
alone in their present form rather than
trust Delaware Legislature to change
them. When we consider the fact that
a person who hunts q wild fox during
pertain months of the year Is guilty of a
nisdeme eanor, and if he Kills a fox while
being chased by dog, no matter when,
or if the dog is his own, he Is guilty of a
crime, and is punishable by fine or inn
prisonment; and then If we look over the
other acts and capels Of our legislature
for the past few years, including its
struggle to elect U. S. Senators, we need
not be surprised if all our laws are not
perfect.
One trouble with our school laws is,
they are copied from those Of the great
cities where they are applicable, and
made to do duty in our village and coun-
try school where they are, in many cases,
inappropriate and uusuited. But remem-
Der there is broad difference between
.'change" and Improvement" and 60
slow in asking for change.
l. is highly important that we hav- eff
cient County uperintendents, for the
quality of the trachers r, sts very much
almost entirely-on them. They should
be well qualified for an exceed ngly inn
por.ant position perhaps, really the most
important Office in the State, and not be
given the place as an act of gratitude or
compensation for political services, clean
or otherwise. They should retain theOf-
fee long enough to get thoroughly ac-
Quainted with the teachers and schools,
duu lGdlu dI AlhNn % E'99A'fAN CA NANAA
work, their efficiency and their needs
Therefore, a sup rintendent should be-
come better qualified and more efficient
wear after wear, as he holds the Office for
at least five years.
It is unfortunate that we have so many
more hungry ofice-seekers than we have
offices, and that so many of our officers
must be changed before they get really
to their best, and their places filled with
green hands, who are clamoring for pay
for work done for their party. And all
this seems to suit the American people.
but what railroad company would sub
NIT to having its agents, telegraph Oper-
ators. conduc' ors, or fremen, changed
every year or five years. just as thew had
become most proficient? There are
many who are ready for the jobs; bu the
railroad companies are independent OF
their votes, and the seekers must wait
their time.
The teacher is another important fac
tor in our schools. The present system
of examinations has driven some of the
best teachers from the profession, as
person with a good memory stands
chance far ahead of one not so blessed
by nature, though the former may be
much inferior in many ways. certainly
can have nothing to say against teach
ers' examinations. though It cannot be
denied that there is something required
in A ateacher more than the ability to solve
kuottv problems, and to answer hard
questions in nmninomy--mucht that can
be learned of them only by personal OBJ
servation aud acquaintance on the part OF
the superintendent.
Another, very important item in the
school is the Commissioner. He should
be a man of sound principles and Judg-
ment-a man willing to make some sac
rifices and to do something for the good
of others, not expecting either pay or
thanks, and often getting full share OF
unjust blame and censure. Contrary to
the generally accepted opinion, he should
be without children in the school. Every
teacher knows full well that in almost
egerv district school, the hardest chill
dren to govern, and the ones who Gre
ate most discord and mischief, are those
of the commissioners, and that in many
cases the school officers expect, and
sometimes demand, special favors to be
shown their children; and If these wishes
and demands are not complied with, the
teacher we'll knows that he or she may
look for another school the next year.
MANY commissioners children feel
that they, in great measure, own the
school, add that special privileges must
he granted them, whether shown to 9TH
ers or not. And we must not blame the
children for the lessons IN life taught
them at home TherefoTe,as far as prac-
ticable, select your school officers from
among those who have no children IN
the school. Try it few years, and note
results.
Supper.