West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1905-07-06
EDUCATIONAL MATTERS.
Strong Plea for Better School 0nlCerS
and Teachers and Higher
Salaries Paid.
From a Special Contributor.

of freedom and of the future, of
mental development and material
greatness. We are living in a coun-
try upon which the eyes of nations
are fixed, and to which the people
of the earth are rushing tide of
population that never ebbs. And
tins influx of immigrants imports
not only The energies and virtues
but also the vagaries and vices Of
other climes. thus helping to swell
the tide of our native corruption
and urging an important task upon
us. Our day moreover is the form
ing period of the nations character
for the next generation. Then how
happy it is to us who are living to-
day and TO millions yet unborn, that
at this particular juncture the pow
er and the promise of the free school
system is no longer a problem. We
may look to it now as the heaven
designed method of educating our
young people, upon whom the
hopes and the prosperity of our
country in the future depends but
fear those into whose care the destiny
Of our schools is committed don't
look as favorably as they should
toward its utility and progress. In
the resistless rush of human progress
Boards OF Education should catch
hint for their work from the leading
facts Of our civilization and remem-
Der that it is enthroned thought and
liberaIitv that secures achievement
10 educational effort. The remun
Grafton of teachers at present is far
too meager to attract the best intel
lect TO the school room. We should
exercise great care in the selection
of our school directors. The Board
or Education should be composed
OF astute, thoughtful, broad minded
liberal and conservative men. A
narrow contracted penurious non
progressive school officer is great
ugly seedy wart on the rosy cheek
of educational progress. Our schools
for the past five years have remain.
ed in groveling condition and
the dignity of the teachers has dwin-
died. Eighty per cent Of the best
instructors have engaged in other
pursuits leaving this work which is
OF such vast importance the hands
of the inexperienced. This condi.
ton of our educational interests is
wholly traceable to not paying the
worth OF the work The tax payer
pays large salaries for many other
services Of much less importance
than that OF the school teacher.
The first consideration when we
contemplate spending money is to
buy something we need, the next IS
to get good article and for that
we must pay a fair price.
The same rule applies to hiring
school teachers. 1t is as highly
necessary for School Boards as any
other business men to keep them
selves abreast of the age. School
teaching was worth $50 per month
when common labor could be had
for 10 cts. per day. Today it is
twice that amount and the school
wages are not materially changed.
Everything to be successful must
conform to the customs and condi-
tions Of our country. A No. !
teacher should have at least $50 per
month and No. 2 $40. There
should be no No. 3 No. 3 is too
coarse and cheap in anything. Pay
the teacher, stimulate him TO action,
make him feel interested in his work
inspire him TO prepare for his duties
and you won't need TO set a price
on No. 3 and the school houses will
be filed with high grade teachers.
They will be satisfied both with their
work and their salary.
a work so important as educating
children should not be permitted to-
remain inactive. II is an abrasion
on our glossy civilization. would
suggest that the school Board Law
the levy literally so that teaching
may be sought by our best intellects
which will iusure grand results.
There should not be an act omitted
that would facilitate mental dcvel
opmcnt Because, those who know
The most by law Of things. can
both accomplish and enjoy the most
while ignorance instead OF being a
bliss Is The great cause Of human
weakness. wickedness and woe hence
90 eniightcn little boys and little
| girls is the way to reform and make
them perfect I am proud Of our
country's advancement in education
but our present situation is but a
mere sketch Of the picture we must
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