Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1906-07-21
MARYLAND TEACHERS
ARE POORLY PAID
Extracts From An Address Delivered BY
Prof. S. s. Handy, President OF The
Maryland Teacher Association.

Maryland Teacher Association.
Prof. Sydney S. Handy, president of
the Maryland High School Teachers
Association, in his address before the
association at Ocean City recently, con-
fined his remarks almost exclusively to
Teachers and Their Salaries. The sub
ject was handled in an intelligent man
ner, and should be productive of much
good, as the question is not only of
vital Importance to the teachers of
Maryland, but the favorable action, if
taken by the various county school
boards, would prove beneficial and a
blessing to every section of the state.
The full text of the address would
cover more space than we are disposed
to give it, yet below. are extracts from
the address. which has been placed be-
fore us, with the request to publish the
same as fully as our space will permit.
Prof. Handy prefaced his remark as
follows:
1--WE are witnessing remarkable
change in education. Indeed. the very
basis is not what il was a few years
back. Sociology rather than Psychology
is now at the front Life conditions
claim our attention. and all training
must touch life in some of its various
forms.
"Now, let us in the interest of Il
broader humanity, extend the idea to
the teacher, and let us. too, consider
the question from a sociological stand
point Life conditions of the teacher
are determined almost entirely by the
salary received.
''Of course we teachers have no use
for money. We have nothing for
which to spend it. We eat very little
almcst anything Is good enough to sup
port us who do so little work. We are
not so vain as to want to indulge in
personal adornment. No, indeed. Hand
some, stylish clothes do not appeal to
us. Anything from poke bonnet to
last seasons hat made over three times
will do A small unassuming six room
mansion with all the old time incon-
yeniences on an out of the way street,
with a livery stable in front and a
Chinese laundry ON the right, will an
swer for dwelling. We are so proud
of home we never care to get away.
We do not relish the sea shore. We
never long to travel. And as for want
ing horse or an automobile. why who
ever heard of teacher being so wildly
extravagant, or daring to hint even of
the desire for such things. We do not
want to give teas and parties for our
friends. Indeed, even the preacher
very rarely dimes at our house. He
doesn't like, perhaps, our fare. He will
be found at Lawyer Jones'. or at DIR.
Browns, or at Butcher Smiths, where
they pay more attention to the getting
of thing so undesirable as money.
"We teachers do not care TO lay aside
small amount year by year for rainy
day, or to purchase bit of old mother
earth on which to build place called
home. No, indeed. Should we become
very i'll, the trained nurse and the hos
pital are not for us. So we can but
give up and sleep our last sleep and be
laid away forever.
"Then and not till then will lawyers.
doctors, legislators and all, rise up and
say, 'Ah, what glorious life she led
How noble How self-sacrificing is the
life of teacher She has now received
her reward 7
| Glorious life, indeed All, miserable,
heartless, hyprocritical expressions
How much more humanity there is IN
substantial help while there is life than
in empty words to silent dust.
PAY the teachers more OF course
pay them more In the interest of
humanity, ir the interest of society,
and for the SAX, OF the growing boys
and girls. for the advance of civiliza-
tion, pay them more Pay them more
and they will not need pension !"
Three hundred dollars pays many
of our rural instructors for year 5
work. This is not quite six dollars a
week. Now when three dollars and
half are taken out for board two and
a half dollars are left. Two dollars and
a half and board per week What a
salary We pay our cooks this. and
sometimes more. An unskilled igno-
rant day laborer receives fifteen or
twenty dollars per mcnth and board.
/ "a vollnp. timid. bright girl refined