The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1918-11-29

work other than their own; but our
subject is one that is far reaching.
having to do with the well being OF
every child and youth in every home.
Yes, still farther, the very character
of our citizenship, the future well
being of our beloyGd< country.
MAY we not truthnIlly say, the
character of our schools spell out
the strength and verify of our ma
ton. This being unquestionably
ture, we readily see the supreme i'm
portance of outstanding, guarding
every interest of our schools with
jealous care, in both the lower and
higher grades. fe
First of all is the discouraging fact.
that the high calling of the teacher,
which has to do with the development
of the individual, the welfare of society,
the evolution of the human race, is poor
ly paid. There are in the United States
740, 900 school teachers, whose average
salary is less than 100000 year., while
it is safe to say that there are very
few first class teachers in the country,
who could not secure far greater sal
airy than he is receiving today, in some
of the many other callings, with the
same amount of training that he has had.
while the teacher may get n fair liv-
ing monthly salary for eight or nine
months of tho year, his profession makes
no provision for the remaining months,
with their full share of demands for a
living Says The Fort Wayne News, in
an editorial, If, therefore he deserts the
noble calling of the teacher for the flesh
pots of Egypt, we may depend upon it,:
he is hungry and wants a square meal. "
The average salary in Saskatchewan,
Canada. is about double that in the Unit
ed States. The Canadian people are
gradually establishing throughout the
rural districts, schools on the "all-year-
basis and teachers are becoming ALI
year teachers IA
Along with the well prepared teacher,
must. be a salary in harmony with other
professions, that necessitate like train
ing in time and expense.
1t is not necessary to burden you with
many instances round about us, where
teachers have responded to the call of
! other professions offering much larg-
or salary: they are many and Well known
by you all.
WE are aware that the teacher ranks,
ike that of other professions, have been
drawn upon by the government for mill
tary services yet we are not blind TO
the fact the teachers position is one sub
iect to short duration in any one place.
many removals, many fiattering calls to
/ other professions, often RESPONDED to oe-
cause of financial necessity. Still far.
ther, his age of demand, like that of
the preacher. closes early in life, when
he must retire, because the popular de-
ruand is for younger men. All salaries
should be sufficient to make it possible,
with thrift and econonvl barring calam-
ity to provide yearly margin.
with these conditions readily seen, it
is no wonder that SO few young men
seek the teaching profession, except as a
Stepning stone to some line of work more
reliable less fiuctuating and better paid.
Ask any q our women teachers IN the
high school normal or rural school
throughout the state, who are not resi-
dents of the city where they teach, What
they have left of their salary after pay
ing for board lodging, clothing, neces-
sary social and travel expenses. and they
will tell you the pitiable fact, that if
they had to pay their board during the
three or four months vacation. their
salary would fail to carry them over to
another year.
1--WE need for well qualified teachers,
longer tenure bf position during eff
ds Psy aGrsash ss ssRg rfxiGe
sect cth3 9fiibcreasedi Gost of living and
he growing apprccn haomof the value to
he community andQ thednation. Of the
eh Der sFy4 Ss vas aPd FsesRtt Wt to
both thaf individual and nation, even
Yqnong ,dpriYates in fther ranks, 4 well
balanced education makes the individual
more to himself his dependents De- elftipt
"FromgI Che National iFiducation Assoc
citation rBulletinsd find that the average
annual salary Of the teachers, of the
een,ntry Was but s543, in year, 1919, ar1c
hat the increase has been small since
hen p Summing up reliable evidences
from many sources. I'VE cannot be fal
from a Reasonable solution Of our sub
, iect in the following: rs
"Firsts If wes are toohave competent
Z tesehers and enough TO supply ais oul
schools, we must pay earX6f g living wage II
# possible for all ftot find in teaching 6
worthy life career. Whenever rewards
rare sufficient. the type of service de-
nmanded will be forthcoming. ,,,.~,.
..Secofate 10 Consolidated schools to take
, the bIace of small rural schools, poorly
equipped. - - -
Third. Provisions made. by the com
-,unity, whether maintaining Single
school or a consolidated school. for suit
able accommodations for the teacher
Fourth. Making the profession o.