The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1920-04-08

schools. They are forming the men
and women of tomorrow. They are
working quietly, but effectively, day
after day, week after week, and month
after month. They have our children
with them much more than we have
them, and as they incline the minds Of
these youngsters, SO will they be later
on.
Teachers Driven of.
"They are not only implanting knowl-
edge, evoking power and teaching the
children how to use the knowledge
they give them, but they are also wag-
ing that silent battle against ignorance
and prejudice upon the successful out
come of which depends very largely
the stability of this country. The av-
erage country school teacher in many
sections of this country receives less
than the average first class chauffeur
The college professor is not paid as
we'll as the average good bricklayer
and the result has been that since the
war many of our ablest professors and
nave lldu W SGGh SIlplOS lllCllt
in other lines of work.
This condition is one which we must
terminate. Let us interest ourselves
in those who are doing more than any
other group to make the citizens of to-
morrow. The professors in our great
universities should receive salaries
which will enable them to live COM
fortably and to properly carry on their
work free from the constant anxiety
which comes from insufficient income
to meet the everyday expenses of life,
insufficient even under the most rigid
economy. The same general policy
should apply to assistant professors
and instructors and to teachers in our
public schools.
AT present the youth of our country
Is being trained and our Ship Of State
is being built by underpaid and, con-
sequently, discontinued workmen. 1t
is a dangerous situation. 1t gives rise
to unsound and careless teaching.
Those who are in daily contact with
our youth and who implant in them
many of the vital principles of citizen
ship should feel that their services are
recognized and their value fully appre
ciated. 1t is a dangerous policy to
have the instruction of our youth Of
the country in the hands of many who
feel there is something radically wrong
in a government which fails to recog-
nize the value of the services of those
who are training its youth.
Give Teachers a Chance.
eve want our teaching force to feel
that its services are appreciated and
the value of its work is understood. If
this is not done the services will be
poorly rendered. We have in the
teaching profession thousands of splen-
did men and women most of whom
could do much better, from the money
standpoint, in other lines of work.
They continue, however, simply be-
cause they have the missionary spirit
and because they love their work.
These teachers have the power, very
largely, to shape the opinions and
prejudices of the youth Of the nation.
They can fill the souls of our children
with discomfort and opposition to gov
eminent, or they can fill them with the
spirit of appreciation and patriotism.
We should be as careful in the selec-
ton of our teachers as we are in the
selection of our clergy. They are the
teachers of the children of our new
corners, and the thoroughness with
which this is done and the spirit which
is implanted will largely depend upon
the character and spirit Of the teach
erS
"If we want to Americanize our in
coming youth we must see to it that
the teaching force feels that the Amer
lean people has recognized its value
and importance Salaries which were
sufficient, perhaps, generation ago
are worth only one-third of their for
mer purchasing power. The compen-
sation so small that men hesitate to
assume the responsibilities of mar
rage. Large families are out of the
question. 1t is difficult to travel and
have the necessary relations with the
leading minds of the day, and unless
some changes are made we shall find
the quality Of our teaching force re-
duced to mediocrity. There is no class
Of men or women that is doing more
arduous work. Let US give them a
chance to do it under the best possible