Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1920-04-15
WOOD FLAYSLO
TEACHERS PAY
No Class in Country Engaged in
More Constructive Labor
Than Educators.

tenti0n OF the American people the dis
astrous consequences that will follow
the continued underpayment of our
teachers and professors. His stirring
words in behalf Of better conditions
for our educators are not merely per-
functory, but spring from well-found-
ed conviction, forced upon him by mi
mute observation of educational de-
tails in many parts of America, and
presage more promising outlook for
our teachers in the future should Wood
become President of the United States
Wood says:
"Our educators are very much under
paid There is no class today in Amer
lea which has the opportunity to do
more important or more constructive
work in the building up of good citizen
ship-I do not know that l could ex-
cept the church itSelf-than those who
are teaching in our universities and
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 tn,
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
well as the average good brcklayer
and the result has been that since the
war many of our ablest professors and
teachers have had to seek employment
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 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 It's 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 WhOI
could do much better, from the mono
standpoint, in other lines Of work
They continue, however simply be
cause they have the missionary Spiri
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 scloc
ton Of our teachers as we are in til,
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 whicl
is implanted will largely depend upol
the character and spirit of the teach
ers.
IF we want to Americanize our In.
coming youth we must see to 1t 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 3 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