Perth Amboy evening news., 1907-01-12
PUBLIC OPINION.
Editor EVENING NEWS:

EultOr EVENING NEWS.
To the student OF men and things
the city of Perth Amboy is one OF
the most interesting communities ]
have ever known. A large proper
ton of our people come from lands
of oppression beyond the sea. In
their old homes they have nothing OF
free institutions, free discussion, free
schools, freedom of worship, and the
open door to public Office and profit
able occupation.
Here, before Il eyes, is going for
ward the process by which this large
alien element is being rapidly trans
formed into intelligent, prosperous,
and contented American citizens.
Upon the whole, the work is being
surprisingly we'll done, as the grow
ing intelligence, prosperity, and hap,
piness of our people attest. We well
come the oppressed of every land.
All we ask of them is that they leave
behind them the strifes and hatreds
which grew out of their bitter lot
in the home land, and become alb
sorbed in our quiet and %peaceable
commonwealth.
No institution is contributing more
largely to the assimilation of foreign
elements in our population than the
public school, and there is nothing
of which the people of Perth Amboy
have greater reason to be proud. In
our schools the foundations of edu-
cation are so we'll laid that those who
aspire to scholarship may, without
~hindrance or apology, sc on to the
college and the professional school.
Therein, also, the children who must
early address themselves to the prob
lem of subsistence receive an admir-
able equipment for life and citizen
ship.
Our public schools know no tests
but capacity and character. Distinc-
tons of nationality, race, language,
creed, party, and financial circum-
stances vanish. In the public school,
room we are all Americans, no mat
ter where we were born. The only
questions are those of behavior and
devotion to study. Capacity and
character cap their reward. The
dull student is encouraged. The brill
liant one has opportunity for growth
and leadership. All learn to live to-
gether in the wholesome rivalry of
free institutions.
The stranger coming to Perth Am
boy notes the excellence of our school
buildings and admires II public
spirit. When he visits our schools
he finds a high order of talent and
efficiency among the teachers. But
when he inquiries as to the compen-
sation of these devoted public serv-
ants, he shakes his head and won
ders how we succeed in holding such
skillful teachers at such small wages.
We are forced to confess that u
work is much hampered by the fire.
quent changes which take from us
many of our most efficient teachers
For it must be admitted that few, If
any, of the New Jersey cities which
will compare with ours in size and
cost of living pay as small salaries
as we do. The necessity of provid-
ing adequate school buildings for our
rapidly growing population, taken in
connection with the fact that Perth
Amboy is not a rich city, has eX-
planned in some measure these mea-
ger salaries. .
Happily, we are at the dawn of 3
new day. Now there is reason to
hope that those who have resisted
the Establishments of richer places
and held to their work among us
may have a substantial addition to
their income.
The Perkins act puts several hun
dred thousand dollars at the dis
posal of the school authorities of the
state of New Jersey each year. or
this amount Perth Amboy will prob
ably receive from ten to fifteen thou
sand dollars. This new and unex-
pected source of income makes posi-
BILE the increase of the salaries of
our teachers without any addition
to the local tax rate. This would en-
able our teachers to buy more books,
DAA5hbOh ohd blCouSh NHtAi iNSo w
travel and in various ways become
more efficient in their chosen profess
sion. 1t would also make possible
a little saving against that threat
ening afternoon hour when the teach
er who has laid the foundation of
fame and fortune and character for
many a young life, shall receive the
dreaded summons to retire"
l am glad to know that many of
our citizens are uniting in a move
ment to make this just and reason
able thought a fact, and appeal to
our people of all creeds and parties
to join in 1t. Such an achievement
will be a sufficient cause for rejoic-
ing throughout the city.
My primary design III writing this
communication was to say a word
in favor of giving the teachers a
fairer compensation at this opportune
time. But l cannot refrain firm add
ing paragraph on the subject of a
free public night school. This also
has been made possible by the new
Perkins law. The agitation for a
night school should not be held to
antagonize that for the better com