Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1904-03-17
Early Educational Methods.

twas pupil in the first free school
established in our neighborhood. in
October, 1887 AS the law then stood
board of directors would manage the
school affairs of the township, levy the
tax, pay the teachers, pay for fuel. etc,
and when necessary erect new buildings.
There was committee of three elected
in each sub-district; the duty of this
committee was to make the choice of
teacher for their school, to see to it that
the school house was made comfortable
for occupancy, that fuel was supplied,
etc. The board Of school directors wonld
settle the bills.
When a teacher presented himself to
the board for employment, having with
him the certificate of the committee, 1t
was the duty of the board, before EN-
ploying him, to have him submit to
literary examination. He would usual
ly be sent to some clergyman or other
literary person of the neighborhood for
examination; the certificate that he
would bring back was always honored.
1t was quite probable that some of our
early teachers were somewhat limited
in their culture. An intelligent far2er
would frequently take charge OF his
home school, as it was usually open only
few months If he could maintain
good discipline and could retain possess
ion of a good pocket knife, having one
small blade, kept sharp, with which to
make pens for the students, who
would always furnish the goose-qullis,
could write plain hand-as he had to
write copies in their copy" books
could use good switch, three feet long
or more, he was regarded good
teacher.
At this early period there were more
in the spelling classes than IN others Inc
United States Spelling Book was then
used. In reading there was one class ID
the Bible, another in the New Testa-
meut: beyond this any one could bring
whatever reader he pleased, historical or
biographical. A reading class would
not infrequently have one pupil in it.
At this early stage of school develop
ment six days in the week were taken up
in the school room. 1t required little
time to arrange for the next week work.
| recall that on Saturday afternoon an
esteemed neighbor-a farmer, Justice
of the peace and an elder in the United
PRESBYTERIAN church-would put in his
appearance, and by permission of the
teacher would take charge of the school
He required all of sufficient age to com
NIT to memory the Ten Command
ments, the shorter catechism, with Sc
lections from the Psalms and other
Scripture lessons, not forgetting the
Lords Prayer.
All this was in an early stage of our
public school system. This religious
| training would not be allowed at this
more advanced period; and yet, in look
| ing back over that primary period, can
not see where any harm grew from this
training of the young minds on these
moral lines.
Several years had passed before a
| grammar class was introduced in our
| school. recall the incident; a class of
two was started, and we all thought it
singular that it was necessary to teach
people how to use the language to which
| they had been reared. / recall noticing
them at their grammar (Kirkham's) and
| it seems to me can yet see the teacher
as he is walking back and forth across
the room with his hands behind his
back. under his coat-tails; and as he
looks over towards the grammar class.
extemporizing, "John-his book-John
his book" with generous smile.
| 1t may be surprise TO some of our
present teachers to know that not only
late in the 30's, but early in the sos
male teachers received as low as $16 a
month, and females from $40 to $l2
month These figures would not do
has changed. Verly little money was
needed then; many of the teachers lived
at their homes while teaching.
The most direct and radical change
that took place in the development vf
the public school system was caused by
the law directing the election of county
lsuperintendents. This law went into
effect in 1854 / well remember the
meeting of the school directors of But
Ter county, when coming together for
the first time under the law, they met in
the basement Of the Presbyterian
church, and Isaac Black. an active
school teacher. was elected. When 1t
came to fixing the salary Baptist min
lister from the northern part of the
county moved that the salary be fixed
at 500 year. This brought the Rev.
Findley--afterward president of the
Westminster College-to his feet. He
remarked that he deemed such motion
an insult to the legislature that had
passed the law. The mover Of the reso-
luton replied that such was his purpose
in offering the resolution, as he felt that
the legislature had insulted the school
directors of the whole State by provid-
for the selection of an agent 10 look
after their official conduct
The salary was finally fixed at $500 a
year, ard can trutbfully say that no
superintendent OF later years discharg-
ed the duties of the Office with greater
fidelity than did Mr.. Black, travelling,
as he did, on foot from one section OF
the country to the other as his official
duties required. Just think of it, three
years hard work-both physical and
mental for which in return he re-
/ ceived S9OOl-Thonns Robinson in Pitts