Democratic Sentinel, Volume 5, Number 27, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 August 1881 — CONTINENTAL RAILROAD. [ARTICLE]

CONTINENTAL RAILROAD.

The Rochester Sentinel says: “Since the engineer and surveying corps left Rochester for the far west, blazing out a line fox the building of the Continental railroad, but little bas been heard of the doings of the Company in relation to steps taken for the early construction of the road#— But because there has been but little said or no grand demonstrations made that nave come to the knowledge of this particular locality, is no evidence that the enterprise is a failure and that the road will not eventually be built. The building of a double track, steel rail railroad from New York, through the States of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and lowa to Omaha, with branches to Chicago and St. Louis, is an undertaking surpassing in magnitude any railroad project ever contemplated in this country* It is a work that cannot be completed in a day or a month, however anxious or impatient the public may be for its consummation. A few over-wise persons who would like to see the enterprise made a success, speak diseouragitigiy of the matter, but their doubts and fears are not likely to have a very depressing influence upon the officers of the Company or prevent them from pushing forward ti e work as rapidly as it is to their interest to do so. When the engineers went west from here and passed Winainac three miles south of the town, the citizens of that place were disposed to treat the matter as a huge joke and audibly smiled to tnink that a great east and west road should think of passing them so near without making that place a point on the line. Recent developments, however, have convinced the citizens of that place that there is a strong probability of the road being built, and that the officers of the Continental Company are not diverging far from a direct line to strike country towns or court house spires. Winamac not being on the line, it is not probable that it can secure the road under any circumstances, yet a stioug effort is being put forth by a few of its most prominent and|influential citizens. DrW. H. Thompson and Dr. E. H. Patterson, both of that place, were here this week to see what could be done to divert the line from its present course so as to strike their town. We also understand that Winamac hi s now a delegation of representative men in New York beseiging the officers of the Company and praying to be favored with the road. Winamac ha 3 some positive assurances that the road will be built or the citizens would not be so interested in the location of the line. A shorter line be tween New York, thejgreat metropo. lis of this country, and the far west, is needed, and the Continental road is to supply the long felt want.

Editor Sentinel: In reply to Nurmalite in last week’s Sentinel in which reference is made to certain resolutions now pending the action of the County Board of Education in regard to hiring teachers on grades. The criticism refers to a left-handed blow by “J.” in a late issue of the Republican, and proceeds, in a mas terly argument, to give the resolutions a home-thrust—in his estimation. There is not, to my knowledge, any other business or profession, wherein a distinction is not made in favor of skill, energy, and industry. This, all will admit, has not been the case with reference to employment of school teachers in Jasper county. All grades have been paid alike the same prices, (varying in location only) regardless of qualifications.—The “dead beat,” without any qualifications whatever, except a large amount of cheek and a low grade license—the latter being issued year after year, on application, for perhaps the last half-dozen years, which he secures with as little labor as possible, never failing, when an opportunity offers, to denounce the attendance of Normal Schools and Institutes as more than useless, and all educational publcations as great bores, and the whole affair as a nuisance. Their methods of teaching, they think superior to all others.— They teach school and are rewarded as highly for their services as higher grade, live, energetio and progressive teachers prompt in attendance on Normal and Institute, holding and advocating opposite views in regard to educational affairs.

It requires but little argument to convince the dullest mind that a teacher with a twelve or eighteen months certificate is better educated, therefore more fully prepared to teach a better school than he could possibly do with an education that would entitle him only to a six months license. The methods and drills incident to securing a higher education alone are inyaluable to the teacher in the school room. A higher education means a greater expenditure of time and money, and the individual making this outlay that he may be more proficient in his duties, should receive proportionately more pay.

As to school officers being legally and morally bound to know what the qualifications of teachers are, I refer him to the school law; said officer may employ any numskull, however immoral, so long as he holds a license In force. If a license gives no idea of a person’s qualifications for teaohinc why not dispense with the useless and* expensive system of teachers’ examinations and County Superintendents and allow school officers to determine the qualifications of applicants?—

There is nothing in the resolutions preventing school officers from se-‘ lecting teachers possessing “good common sense, tact, powers of disoi pline ” &c. The object la to secure a better grade of teachers, which means better schools. A higher standard of excellence is being demanded by the patrons of common sohools. To meet this demand, lam proud to say, our worthy County School Superintend ent is most energetic, with promise of the best possible results. In this contest it would be oetter for those parties who think wages

does not justify the necessary expenditure incident to securing sufficient qualifications for teaching, to drop out of the profession and let others that ft ei they are well paid therefor in securing an education that pre pares them for other useful labors. Young teachers should be encouraged by all means, as their services are in demand, but let us insist on a thorough preparation before they offer their services. The State schools are inexpensive with tuition free and board at very low rates, and acceptable to all that feel disposed to apply.

T.