The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1909-03-19

most interesting local topic. and wish
ing to be posted on the subject, I Sc
cured copy of the report of the SUI
perinfendent Of Public Instruction for
1907 and 1905. In the back part of
the book one viii find that the table
number a gives total of 5s7 teachers
employed in the public schools. Out
of that number, 365 receive less than
500 per year, or less than $50 per
month for twelve months of the year
One viii also notice that AL of the
5s9 teachers are women New the
Legislature is thinking very seriously
of cutting the salaries of these teach
ers. both men and women. To say
nothing OF the men, for we all know
what il costs man to live and live
respectfully, I wish TO say this for the
woman side of the question, for they
How can we expect good results from
our public schools unless we have good
teaehersl And how can we keep or
get good teachers unless we pay them
good, or at least living, saIariess Is
the public aware of the fact that the
school teacher must put up a clean,
neat appearance or she makes herself
subject to dismissal from the seryiees
And can women pur up a neat, clean,
decent appearance on $50 per month,
especially when she has No time TO do
any sewing or laundering for herself
and must have it all done by hired
heipf For a school teacher 1.-THE aver
age one) does not have very much
time hanging on her hands and does
great deal more work than the public
gives her credit for / can not see
how woman can afford to teach school
tor less than $500 per year unless she
lives with her parents; otherwise it is
simply existing. And. then, the teach
er is supposed to be intelligent and
keep up with the times. and how can
she do so without attending lectures
and entertainments. nearly all Of which
must be paid for out of the meager
salary. For the benefit of the reading
public who have not been fortunate
enough to secure copy of the Super
intendent 5 repor. for 1907 and 1905
viii submit the following statement,
showing the salaries Of the teachers
employed "A the public schools Of the
Hawaiian Islands:
One hundred and twenty-five
teachers receiving less than 800
per year, s44 II per month for nine
months. or 1888 per month for twelve
months service: forty-six teachers re-
eeiving less than $500 per year. $500
per month for nine months, or $4l.66
per month for twelve months; forty
seven teachers receiving less than 5000
per year. $66.6s per month for nine
months or $40 per month for twelve
moaths; III teachers receiving less
than 500 per year, ST7.i7 per month
for nine months. or 1888 per month
for twelve months; thirty whine teach
ers receiving less than $500 per year,
sSSs8 per month for nine months, OF
S66.eb per month for twelve months;
sixty-nine teachers receiving less than
$500 per year, 800 per month for nine
months or SIS per month for twelve
months; thirfy-four teachers receiving
less than $1,000 per year, SILL per
month for nine months, or Ss3.33 per
month for twelve months; eight teach
ers receiving less than $i10o per year
$122. - per month for nine months, or
s9I .ss per naanth for twelve months;
thirtv-six teachers receiving less than
$1,000 per rear. 1898 per month for
nine months. or 500 per month for
twelve months, FIVE teachers receiving
less than 1890 per year, sI44.44 per
month for nine months. or Sl0s-33 per
month for twelve months; twenty
teachers receiving less than $500 per
year. sl66.66 per month for nine
months. or 1925 per month for twelve
mouths, six teachers receiving less
than $500 per year, 5000 per month
for nine months, or sie1.66 per month
for twelve months; two teachers re-
eeiving less than s2T0o per year. 5000
per month for nine months, or $22o
per month for II months
After reading the above can you
make out what the Legislature Is drlv-
ing ats
First-There is runner that they
intend 10 change the admission o. en-
tering age Of school children from SIX
to eight years of age. And, do yen
know what that meansg That means
the throwing ont of eight thousand
children from the public schools into
the streets.
Seeond-Along comes ruTnor tnaf
the Legislature is considering cutting
down the salaries OF the school teaen-
ers. Now that is what / call false
economy. Which is besfs Turn eight
thousand children out of the schools
and cut the salaries OF over five hun.
5red teachers. taking the chance or
losing a great many good teachers With
prospects of a strike, employing more
policemen. providing more room N the
reform schools TO say nothing OF tne
costs of the eourt7 Or keep the chill
dren in the schools where they belong
and pay the teachers reasonable IL
not good salaries
OF course. there IS certain class
az business men who viii set up q
great howl If anyone says a word about