MORE MEN IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 451 



like all political offices not under civil service, it is exceedingly insecure. 

 In the great cities positions are fairly permanent, but among the 

 smaller towns every year brings its list of changes, and the teachers 

 go bumping about from Podunkville to Daisy Hollow, often spending 

 half a year's salary before they get a situation again, if in the annual 

 shuffle they should succeed in getting any at all. If they do not pro- 

 cure a position the women teachers go home to their parents for a time, 

 and then try it again next year ; and the men, if they have any energy, 

 go into other lines of business, leaving the inexperienced and unfit in 

 the profession. 



To sum up. Civic and economic considerations make it desirable 

 that there should be a sufficient number of men teachers in the upper 

 grammar and high school grades so that as many children as possible 

 may come under the instruction of a man, for a time at least, before 

 quitting school. Competent men can only be secured by an increase 

 in salaries and a more secure tenure of office. 



