Editou's CirAm.
79
upon that, and only that, which will servo
us stepping stones ov?r the impediments,
that uro presented on nil sides. And here,
training preparatory to entering the race
of life, concentrate your mind upon that
which will aid you in the accomplish
mont of life's journey. Wo II ml many, ni
ter the work of college life is completed,
entering upon engagements just contrary,
to that In which the mind was occupied,
during the time in school and consequent
ly ns a natural result, are wholly unlit as
well as unprepared. Failures in life,
then, are of no uncommon occurence.
The want of something to do, the long
waiting to discover that duty which was
yours to fullill, the undertaking of that
for which you are unprepared, reveals the
cause and paints a life picture, stamping
11 warning upon the minds of every one, to
let looso ambition from its narrow
bounds, and follow whence it mny lead
you, mistaking not the true pleasures of
life, falling into the path of serious faults
and even crimes. Gaurding against the
the evil of being diverted from the course,
upon which you have started, and by hon
est toil gaining step by step, the harvest of
a true and well lived lifts will be reaped.
A NEEDED REFORM.
Among the young people, especially
students, n mania seeniB to prevail for
teaching school, caused no doubt by the
financial condition of the students, the
easiness of the labor and the bountiful re
ward received in return for their services.
But under the present management of the
school system, throughout our state, a sad
error is being made, which is gradually
but surely being nursed into a contamina
ting evil. Through the leniency of the
law regulating our district schools, it is a
comparatively easy matter to serve in the
capacity of a toucher. The requirements
are few, and with only a meagre knowl
edge of that which Is proposed to teach,
and with far less ability to teacli it, the
privilege of teaching is granted. Thus
inviting into a field of Inbor, responsible
mid importnnt, requiring ability and efll
cioncy, a class wholly unprepared, incapa
ble, totally unlit. Tis true, less ability
and mental culture is needed for even suc
cessful teaching in the new and sparsely
settled districts of our state. But in es
tablishing the necessary requirements,
with which the applicant for a teacher's
certificate must comply, the grade has
been made far too low, which is working
an unpardonable evil both to those in
structing as well as those being instructed.
The students who have depended upon
teaching as the means of support, are
looking elsewhere for occupation, because
they find it far from being as profitable as
in the past.
The schools arc filling up with a class
of unqualified persons, who can offer their
services at a much lower rate, thus exclud
ing those who are far more capable and efll
cient, consequently deserving. An easy
remedy is at hand, and that by simply
making the applicants puss a more severe
and rigid examination. The result is
manifest. That class, so injurious to
themselves, as well as the ones whom they
attempt to instruct, will bo compelled to
seek that labor for which they aro bolter
adapted, while a class more competent
will seek their places. There always will
bo a demand for teachers in our young
and growing state, and when the supply is
reduced, wages will consequently become
higher, oflering Inducements to those who
have removed tho barrier to successful
teaching, by careful preparation.
Dr. Fifield, in the columns of tho Cen
tral Press, asks why can not tho Universi
ty oiler as great inducements to those who
find it more convenient to attend tho Unl
verslty, and desire to fit themsolves for
teachers, as they will find at the Normal
School? Tho question is an easy one.
The University, with all its various clas
ses, and tho almost complete corps of pro
lessors, can accomodate students with
any particular course they may desiro to
pursue, and although preparing .students
