Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1905-08-03
BETTER PAY
FOR TEACHERS
The Slogan Sounded by Superin.
tendent hsdIey, How the
Present Scarcity May Be Him.
mated.

tion. Hiram Hadley, who left Las We.
gas yesterday for Santa Fe, writes as
follows on the important subject of
teachers wages:
|. have read notices Of probable
scarcity of teachers In some portions
Of New Mexico, and am prompted TO
say a few words for the public.
New Mexico, In comomn with some
other portions Of the country, is facing
a condition that does not look well for
educational interests.
The great activity In all commercial
enterprises during the past quarter OF
a century, and the consequent induce
ments for young people Of both sexes
10 connect themselves with these, have
causd in many places dearth Of
qualified teachers. The wages OF
teachers, largely dependent as they
are upon the voluntary liberality Of
the people, have not kept pace with
the wages in other vocations. AS a
consequence, both the supply and the
competency of the teachers employed,
have decreased. The question of
teachers, wages Is attracting national
attention. Far seeing business men
are recognizing the fact that teachers
wages must be made more attractive,
or young men and women of ability
will seek other yocations.
In New Mexico the condition Of be-
ing long" on children and short" on
taxable property exists. But 1t rests
with the people to choose what they
will do about educating their children.
Existing laws. whilst not perfect, are
sufficient to give good school advan-
tages to most of the children in New
Mexico, il the people are willing to
pay the bills. There is no compulsion
about this matter. The people must
decide the question.
In addition to a territorial tax Of
two mills, income from leased lands,
/ fines, etc, every board of school d.
rectors Is empowered 10 levy tax OF
| five mills for school purposes, and by
an affirmative vote Of the people Of a
district, this levy may be increased to
ten mills. The people elect the boards
IL Girector2 and the directors levy the
tax. Hence the people are responsible
( and they must decide whether thy
prefer TO pay for good schools or do
without them.
| From some portions of the territory
complaints reach the office of public
instruction concerning inadequate
school facilities. When these are ex-
amined, it is frequently found that the
assessment for school purposes is
very low. In such cases the people
alone are to'blame. They decide what
!, they can afford to pay for, and they
must abide by their own decision.
In a new country, to set in motion
and to keep going the various elements
of an enterprising civilization requires
heavy taxes. Most progressive citi-
zens believe that true economy de.
mands that no matter what else may
be permitted to drag, tn education of
their children must not suffer. But
the people must decide. They can EN-.
plOy, unqualified, cheap teachers and
have correspondingly poor schools, or
they can pursue the opposite course.
For the greater parts the teacher Is
the most important factor in making
the school. A teacher who has no,
enterprise and ambition sufficient to
induce him to attend the institute fol
the purpose OF being able to do better
work, is rarely deserving of public
confidence, and should not be intrusted
with the responsible duty of teach
ling.
After considerable experience ant
observation, 1t is my deliberate judg
ment that a good teacher can do more
for children in term or two months
than the poor one can in six months
The former inspires, arouses thought
starts pupils properly. and wakes W
their mind; the latter dulls percep
tion, deadens interest, and induce.
hatred and contempt for school.
For our own advantage and to com
pei the respect of other portions of ou
greas nation, we must educate our peo
pie. To do this good teachers mus
be employed. The superintendent o
public instruction is receiving a grea
number of letters from apparently vel
qualified teachers residing In TIL
states who desire to come to New
Mexico. If our own teachers do no
, want to attend Institutes and becom
better qualified, we can easily impor
some. HIRAM HADLEY.