The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-11-06
MONDAY. NOVEMBER 6, 1911.
INADEQUATE CONVERSATION.


TIE most important arm Of the public ser
vice is the public school system. At the base
cf all intelligent citizenship and all real pro
gress is education. That nation is greatest in
which knowledge is most general To abide in
ignorance is for people to live IN weakness
and insecurity prey to the forces that under
snine government and rstard advancement
Intelligence, Enlightenment ledge are syn
ensmous with an upward and onward going
civilization. Education is an asset of the com
munity. ignorance a fearful liability.
To develop these propositions 10 their
farshest reach and TO understand the richness
IT their suggestion is easy task for the
ontGse will dissent There is a class who
don't helieya In education nohow" The oppo-l
sstion OF this element proves the necessity for
and the value OF great public educational
system. There is no message that can reach
them. They are imperyions 10 argument
appeal They and their condition present the
most forceful argument and the most pathetic
appeal in behalf Of popular education. To
society from the menace of large pro-
portion Of such citizenship and to deliver
the future years from the danger of breeding
such an ilk constitute the rationale of the
public school system
If an educational system be efficient. produe
tive Of its largest possibilities and contributing
It's greatest benefits upon the community it
must be wisely devised intelligentiy adapted
and efficiently administered To be content
with mediocrity. worse. in school service is
to discount present opportunities and place IA
handicap upon the future. The best in cduca-
ton is TOO good when we remember that
education III It's largest significance centem-
plates the development and direction OF the
powers of though. The vision, the ideal. the
principles that underlie the solution of the
problems of the future in the making in
the school room Of to-day The character and
capacity OF future citizenship is largely pre-
dietcd in the quality of the school-room work
Of the present
II education be all that We believe II to be
the best and most expert supervision il not toe
good. Blu, the best is always expensive. Or
1t should be. We could hardly count ourselves
just and fair were to demand the best ant
consent to return an equivalent sufficient onl,
to compensate for inferority. All adequate
educational system can only be guaranteed b.
the employment of competent administrator
and instructors. Competency requires the expen
dsture of ting and money in preparation, the con
tinuons endeavor 10 aeanant ones self with ths
latest theories and methods that lend enicienc,
TO ones work the constant giving OF ones sci
In tire serious and earnest effort TO inspire
and instruct and influence others. To call meI
and women 10 the work of teaching, TO de
mand high standard Of equipment: 10 eommi
the youth OF the land into their hands at th'
most critical period Of their lives to demant
that they shall give their best in the develop
ment of the mind and the creation OF charaete
and 10 offer them in return compensation tina
scarcely provides the baresf necessities or III
lis cheap and small and unworthy.
These meditatons have been suggested b.
the plight Of the elementary teachers of III
city of Richmond. The first year of their ser
vice they are paid the liberal salary OF $3.50
After 1--WE years service give them 1856
year They are kicking. DO you blame them
Here is service rendered that requires specia
training aud equipment; service that demand
that one keep abreast of modern thought: ser
that wears and tires and calls for the constan
giving OF ones self and ones best servio
that in our view is exceeded by in its i'm
ror.anoe: service that reaches far into tn
years and leaves it's determining influence
Upon the citizenship and society Of to-mor
row yet we pay these women less than VI
pay those who perform the mental tasks of tn,
day that have no value influence when TIL
day IL done. To be sure. We should pay then
$90e and then We will not be overpaying them
But then we shall not feel shame in being thu
thirtieth city In list Of thirty cities in th'
sire OF the salaries We pay the teachers q
orr elementary grades
HORRIBLE
We were shocked beyond M assure to rea,
the awful tragedy of prohibition wriftcn ,,r.,