Smyrna times., 1908-02-12
CALIFORNIAN'S PLEA FOR
The DELAWARE PEDAGOGUE:
NATIVE OF SMYRNA COMPARES THE CALI.
FORNlA'S TEACHERS SALARY wITHOURS
:" Nen' county The Average Salary is Not
above $50 a Month While ia California
Ihe Average is Above $40 a Month.

"OV mOnlu N1lie ~ california
Inc Average is Above $40 Month.
helseyville, G al, Feb.-People who
live In California during the wet sea.
son are frequently compelled to look
through the windows upon wet and
gloomy landscape and listen to the
patter of rain upon the roof for several
days at time. Life indoors during
this heavy weather is not always pleas
ant and diversion is at a premium. As
the spell now upon us is more than
Ihree days old, have resolved to write
the editor at my birthplace, which is
now several thousands of miles from
me. Several months ago it was stated
In the columns of your paper that the
average salary paid school teachers in
Aent County, Del, was not above
sou per month. There was something
ABOUT the statement that truly aston
lshed me, for 1t is not the fad fol- anv.
Dody to take notice of small salaries
n SIO,OOO preacher and the $50, 900 to
SoO'O 'OOO life insurance president get
more public attention. The Darticnlar
individuals who draw these salaries
are not worth them, they are paid as
an advertisement. But the teacher
VINO is able to fill all the requiremeuts
OF the law and pass the examinations
provided by the State, who Is not
worth more than $50 month must
nave very many and very peculiar dis
abilities which are not apparent in av-
erage human nature.
Average Salary Of Teachers in California S7O
Ihe average salary paid California
schoo! teachers is above SO per month
vi course the country districts will
hardly reach that amount. The dis.
trlct IN which live is paving S62 40
permonth tins year, while the two ad.
Jolnlrg districts are paying 500 each
Inc public school report for the State
OF Utah last year gives the averaga
monthly salary of male teachers as
$50. 40; female teachers 500. Al. This is
very good for the Mormon state bnt
California does better. She pavs eonal
salaries to both sexes. The State law
taxes no cOgnizance of sex. FouaI
WORK brings equal pay without regard
TO sex. My recollection is when Del.
aware promulgated her new Copstitn.
tlon, 1t provided q raise in salaries of
most OF its officials, but it seems this
dld not extend to the school teacbars
though, beyond doubt, the pubIic
schools is the most important branch
OF the public service. It has mayor
been my fortune to advocate bigger
salaries for public officials, as I have
always believed they were being paid
more than their services were worth
But you cannot do justice to the
teacher, without at least, doubling tba
present average salary of $50 per
per month.
Quality Of Our Public Schools Has lmoroved
In the quarter of a century we have
Just left behind us there has bean
quite general rise in the salaries of
public officials in all states. The YEARLY
salary OF some officials is now as mucb
as would have been regarded a com
Portable fortune fifty years ago. bnt
the quality of our public officials has
not improved. National Congress-
recently voted themselves a raise in
salaries and built great palaces-ope
for the Senate and one for the House-
that each member might have an Office.
private room and private bathroom.
which has not altogether allayed
and widespread belief of
graft and ''smooth" practices being
with public duties, national or
state. But the quality of our public
schools has improved. They have
made great strides in progress L think
IN every State of the Union. Teaching
Is no longer what it was twenty-five | ,
years ago. 1t is more exacting and
scientific and the teacher is certainly ,
entitled to salary which will permit
decent living. Help the teachers to
that they may be able to help
themselves. Open your columns to 7
hem. In what manner can it profit +
he state to drive intelligent people
nto other fields to gain their living I
{ is time to awaken our self respect
md quit feeding the bulk of all public
'evenues to those whose greed is insa- a
liable and whose gratitude is nil. L i
hink have read in Morse folklore of u
The great Giant who had no Heart in g
lis Body" This SCENE very like the b
lvllization we haYe reared on this q
ide of the Atlantic. 1t would be well !,
Or us if it were not true. a
Ashurv Egarts NJ n -, - d"