Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-09-21
Concerning the Schools

Dear Household: | began the year with the
intention OF writing to our department. once
busy with other things and for the past four
months l have found but little leisure to In
dulge in writing; though. since no one has
missed my humble effusIons no apologies ace
due except TO Miss Thomas for having missed
Chat in the issue Of July Is. until ! came upon
IL today September - while going through
some old papers. hope that the oversight
ldue TO my being in the Gate City that
datel has not deprived me OF the privilege Of
securing the much coveted badge.
In the issue OF June read the letter signed
Justice and was so much interested that
Lave carefully preserved IL until such time as
] could scTibble few comments upon the
text laid down; but Mrs. Dan set up an able
plea in defense OF the teacher and charged the
writer with meritlng the name OF injustice"
do not mean TO he uncharitable in suggesting
that We all know tie old adage, IT'S the hit
engaged In the service OF her state, and has
met with sill the trials snd discoursgements
text laid down: but rMs. Dan set up an able
not mentioned. and is yet willing 10 cOucede
that Justice presents a fair picture OF condl-
lions that are all too common in many parts
Hers Is the only reasonable objection to COM
palsory education that Lave ever heard: yat,
hands Of the people II they would exercise the
powers vested in them and demand their OWL
rights. anil. what should be paramount to ali
rIse. thu rights 81 their children.
Our school law requires that a teacher must
hold license in order 10 secure a contract 10
teach and the commissioner who dlsregards
this provision amenabls TO the people; and
he may he removed from office by the county
hoard OF education upon any one OF the follow
Ing charges viz: IncOmpetency. inefficiency.
mslfeasancc corruption in office. In case
that board 81 education should refuse 20 act
upon any one OF these charges when fully es-
tablishel. the members may be removed by
the grand Jury for corruption in office. Our
government provides that the people rule, and
when they fail TO do IL is their own fault.
as I thlEk Justice will readily see.
SoFge young girls and boys-ss well as some
nlder ones-manage by hood or by crook" e.
secure third grade license and teach" very
much in the way that Justice describes. bat
when they prove neslectful Of duty. cruel to
pupils. immoral. or incompetent 70 teach any
81 the branches prescribed by law for the com
mon schools OF the state. they may be removed
and their license revoked. People show no hes
itation IN making these charges. and scatter
Ing them broadcast over the land. to the detri-
ment OF all concerned: yet IL would he difficult
-well-nigh impossible-tO establish. one OF them
before proper tribunal simply because neither
trustees nor patrons in general visit the
schools 10 sec whether they are properly con.
psnders'' % the whims 81 che children keeps
them in q good humor. and allows them TO have
"a good time l. the popular one, whether there
n any teaching done or not
n Justice lives In the Empire State OF the
South and. like the Colorado school board. de-
sires the services OF teacher with gray hair
\ glass eye. 4 wooden leg and no penchant for
the opposite sex. she might communl
cate with this scribe, giving location Of school
address OF trustees and county commissioner.
Perhaps could agree upon terms. (Communi-
cations to be sent under to Miss Thomas
With best wishes for Miss Thomas and all