Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-04-16
PEOPLES PULPIT.
Editor ottumwa Courier.

ASAASoA SSCalAWct SOullCL - =
write the following hoping you
Will oblige me by printing IT, also that
the farmers Of Wapello county will
read 1t. / wish to ask a few questions
and make a few suggestions, and beg
pardon in advance for anything that
will hurt anyone's feelings. What at
tracted my attention to. this matter
was this: Recently was talking to
q party regarding school affairs, and
during the conversation my informant
stated that certain professor, very
prominent In Ottumwa educational at
fairs is quoted as saying, 1--WE send our
high school graduates out in the coun-
try to wear the corners off on the
young farmers" We Gil know that It
Is an exceptional case when a high
school graduate becomes teacher in
an Ottumwa school without first hav.
Ing experience Of about one year in
a country school, Now my farmer
friends, how do you like the way that
man expressed himself, wearing the
rough corners of on the young farm
ers, seems to me as though that
sounds like the men having charge Of
Ottumwa schools look down on the
young farmers.
Would you not if your pillow need
ed polishing, take it to some poor
ground in the most remote part of
your farm to brighten it up, and rub
the rough places off? You would not
think Of putting 1t in nice field
where it was to do real work Well
that must be the way the Ottumwa
directors look at 1t, for they try to
force inexperienced teachers out in
the country where lley may get prac-
tiee, as though it die not matter about
tho country children. Now men, you
will all agree with me when say
that the life of country boy or girl
during school age. Is buster than the
average city child's, so of course their
time is worth more when they are in
school. Then again, 1t is seldom that
country teachers, that is, girls who
have not attended high school, vet
have passed the same examination
required by the state, get position
in the city schools.
a 1t is easy to see that these men be-
lieve in patronizing home products.
Why don't the farmers do the same
thing? OF course understand 1T is
difficult, in some districts. to attract
flrst-class teachers with the money at
their disposal. but, nevertheless
think they should have them. Men.
pay a little more school tax, or any
thing, to procure first, or at least
q second-c,ass teacher in your schools
for II you don't feel like doing 1t now,
1t is not likely you will feel able to
send your children away to school
later on.
The directors Of the Reveal school
district, in which live, have for some
time past, absolutely refused to &C.
cept teachers with third grade certi-
fcates but, of course we have had
to raise the salary accordingly, and
at present are paying $50. But we
have the satisfaction Of knowing that
tho teacher Is doing her best, and not
just putting in the time in order to
prepare herself for position in the
city schools But If you have to en-
ploy a third grade teacher let it be IA
country girl. have some brothers
and other relatives attending these
country schools and it is not very
pleasant to think Of these young teach
ers coming here to practice on them,
not that have anything against high
school methods or its students, but,
why can't they stay In town and prac.
tice on their own brothers and sis