Iron County record. [volume] (Cedar City, Utah) 1893-1982, 1905-01-06
PLEA FOR HIGHER
COMPENSATION
Normal Graduate Thinks Teachers arc
Underpaid.
JUDGES SALARIES TOO HIGH.
Teachers Must Keep Clear Of South
ern Utah Unless They Want TO
Work for Starvation Wages.


umns of the local paper, as they are
our main source Of knowledge of
affairs at home. And we are espec-
tally pleased to learn of the where
abouts and doings of our old friends |
who are scattered throughout the
country, where their duies and labors
call them. Naturally we are inter
ested in our school friends, teachers,
as we'll as class mates, and note with
pleasure any advancing steps in their
lives. Some of us, thru choice or
necessity, have ventured outside the
borders of our native state and are
consequently heard of less frequent
ly than those who remain in our home
country.
The writer, more thru choice than
necessity, holds the present position
as principal of the schools here, al
though the latter element entered into
the making of that choice. 1t may be
taken for granted that most honest
mems purpose nowadays, is to do
as much good and make as much
money legitimately, in as short a
time and with the expenditure of the
least amount of energy, rs possible.
But to execute such purpose, the
ordinary school teacher must steer
clear of southern Utah. He may ex
pend great amount of energy and do
great deal of good, but the financial
part of his purpose is almost entirely
lacking. 1t may safely be said that,
at heart, the school teacher Of this
country is n most philanthropic sort
of person; and it can be said, also,
as safely, that there are too mnay
who follow this honorable vocation,
who arc starving themselves and their
fellow teachers to death as result of
a false idea Of philanthropy. In
stead Of public benefit, they are 9
public nuisance. They are content
to exc out miserable existence in
a stoio sort of way and feed theil
children on such fried.over stuff al
best suits their purpose, becaus,
they are financially unable, even il
they had the inclination, to equiv
themselves of better training
Once behind the desk they can go NJ
farther
Yet the poor school teacher is MOI
altogether to blame. He Is simpl,
obeying counsel of those who b,
thinks Fought to know" He is tod
ding around to the tune of thos,
open (Y) hearted philanthropist
CD who make our laws and dictat,
the policy of our public schools
universities and colleges. The writ
or distinctly remembers one promin
emit educator in addressing a normal
graduating class say that they mus
not expect to be paid for their work
that theirs would be labor of love
that they should teach for the Low,
of teaching. Yet that very educato
was breathing comfortably under
salary equal to seven times that o
the ordinary school teacher. Sucl
teaching is much after the manner o
the ancient priests who kept til,
masses in ignorance in order tina
their power might be rendered NOR
secure. But after all the people o
any republic are responsible for it
laws. There is no equalization o
salaries. We should mako it so
No one denies that tho occupation o
the teacher is second to none in re
sponsihility, yet there is no occupa
ton so poorly paid. If the salarie
of supreme judges, whose legal dc
cisions fairly jingle, were cut and tn
difference placed to the credit of th
teaching fund and other government
tai salaries cut in proportion for tn
Same purpose, the status of teachin
would be materially raised becaus
better teachers could be employed
and would be less corruption in pol
itics as a result OF office seek ing.
1t must not he understood tina
competency il not to DO rewarded
''Ayo, there's the rub. " The salar
is not sufficient to promote compe
tency Those who might be compe
tent teachers must seek more re
munerative occupation. There is
great deal of immortality practiced i
the matter of certificates. The La
requires teachers to pass IA legitimat
examination, and yet it compels th
breaking of that law How? Is
compelling superintendent an,
trustees to employ teachers who ar
not equal to the requirements. Blu