Democratic Sentinel, Volume 5, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 August 1881 — NORMAL ITEMS. [ARTICLE]

NORMAL ITEMS.

“I” In last week’s Republican calls attention to a resolution introduced at the last meeting of the County Board of Education and to be nassed upon at the October meeting, and hits it a left handed blow. The purport of the resolution, we believe, is to grade the wages of a teacher to correspond with the grade of license held by him, that is, if he holds a six months license pay him a dollar per day, if he holds a two years license pay him two dollars or two dollars and a quarter per day, and for a twelve or eighteen months license wages correspondingly,. We think the adoption of such a measure by the Board would be a mistake aud defeat the very purpose for which it would be adopted—the securing of efficient, successful teachers.

“A workman is known by his chips” is as applicable to school teaching as to any other kind of work. We are to judge of a teaser’s worth by the results of his labor. A lazy teacher, or a teacher that does not know any thine, or one that is gifted with t„o much “gab,” and robs his pupil by recitiDg the lesson himself, is dear at any price, however low. Mauy a teacher with a low grade license has taught infinitely a better school than his more learned and gifted brother teacher with a first class license in liis pocket. Good common sense, tact, powers of discipline, a good knowledge of the mind aud human nature, and many other qualities, go far to make up a good teacher. If a teacher lacks these he will be a failure no matter how much book “lamin’" he has, or how well he can display his kuowl edge. A license will give no idea of their possession, but only indicates how much the teacher knows about the books. School officers are bound legally and morally to know what are the qualifications of the teachers they employ, not alone in regard to their knowledge of books but as to character, culture, common sense, etc. If they hire on the grade of license alone as a basis the chances are all in favor of filling our schools with a majority of “poor sticks” who will do great harm. Missos Lelia Fullers, Josie Parkison j Alice McDonald, Belle Phegley, Emma Gvviun and Mr. S. D. Clark have cast in their lot with Normal crew this week. Two debating and literary societies are sustained by the students. One society held an excited discussion on the question “That the leadeis of the Irish land-league should be exiled.” It was a good illustration of discussion run wild, courtesy wanting, and ridicule uppormost, aud the effect of bluster, unproved affirmations upon a popular audience. The question was decided affirmatively by the house that the leading Irishmen must go.

The Elocution class held an’interesting contest on Wednesday, in which nearly ail participated. Boyd Johnson won the prize. Many visitors called in to see the school this week. Come again. All

are welcome.

NORMALITE.

Mr. Editor —l understand that at the regular meeting, Monday night, the town board adopted an ordinance to prohibit the running at large at night, between the hours of 8 p. m and 4 a. m., of cattle, fixinga penalty, of from $1 to $5 for violation of the same, and requiring the marshal to impound cattle found on the streets between the hours named. This is a good law(?)—very good for those haying pasture to let, Old Citizen.