Daily globe., 1879-05-15

Idhercs to the Decrease Representative
celt0meous business.
An adjourned meeting of the board was
held yesterday afternoon at $50 o'clock,
with Messrs. Morrison, Young, Huhn, Simp-
son and Austin present.
Communications were read from w. j.
Warrcn vice principal of tho High school
Austice Abbott, principal of the High school,
and Lucy M. Rogers, one of the teachers,
ohjccting to the 5 per cent. reduction in
their salaries.
TEACHERS PROTEST.
Tho following communication, signed by
a large numbor Of teachers, was read and
placed on file
Board of observation-disclosures 1t seems
to us, teachers of the High and Grammar
schools, that the late action of your body in
reducing tie higher salaries has not been in
all respects well considered. Do you know
us? Do You know our work? Have you
visited our school room from day to day,
solicitous to do us as we'll as the public JUS
tice? Allow us TO state few points: A
teacher mu st be fitted for his or her work,
not ou,y by tho years of study implied IN the
idea of ''get!ng an cducaton," but must
further gain that special, technical training,
without which mere education is worth
less in the school room; moreover, your
best teachers will tell you that both processes
n ust 60 on to their close of service. TO re-
Jnce tho higher salaries, therefore, is simply
to offer premium to inexperience and in
competence. Teaching has long since ceased
to be a trade it has become profession;
ltS apparently easy results demandinga a price
somewhat III proportion to It's costly prepa-
ration.
It has been said that a teacher works but
few hours day in comparison with bank
clerks. II is frequently tho case that a
teacher works as many hours out of school
aa in, if not more It is not an unusual
thing for It teacher, at The time of written
examinations (oVery Six weeks or there
abcuts). to work over manuscripts far into
the night, aud very many teachers relinquish
society almost entirely, that they lnay give
themselves wholly to their school work.
circumstances SO vary that we make no
positive statement beyond this, that it is
unjust to say that teacher is occupied for
but few hours each day.
Two years ago the schedule of teachers
y
the next four years. AS somo reductions
We're then made, in expectations, if not
actuaIitios, tho assurance was given that
when tho city had paid up certain deficiencies
the salaries would be restored to their
former status. In the meantime, according
to the schedule, some not teachers, not being
paid in strict proportion to the quantity OF
quality Of their work, the board Gn some
instances unsolicited) increases their stipend.
This present reduction (the four years not
having yet elapseD cuts down said teachers
TO schedule standard, with the further reduc-
ton of per cont, thus making some lose
10 per cent. or more.
A further Inconsistency in the present re-
trenchment scheme we need not allude to-
as It is not your personal concern; We mean
the fact that while our salaries are reduced
those of other city officials and employees ars
raised.
Two years ago salaries were reduced be.
cause teachers were extravagant-had too
much money to spend on dress: was it not
30 said? Tho present accusation is that a
teacher may by the most careful economy
with wise reference to the not improbable
contingencies of old age, heart dis
case and doath-she may save
nay, dreadful enormity she
has saved from Sl ,OOU 10 p SUI.
Tho most Of us arc women for whom
thore IS no chance of ''growinS into larger
business of "being takon into the firm,
etc, hopes which buoy up the clerks
working upon small salary. We alway!
work upon small salaries-we always OK
pect to. Is it your wish and intention tha
tho day wo cease 10 work we become pau
pers to be supported at the public expense
4 4an nJ,1 10 4boir NJ
plishmonts this (Which 10 money can buy
of being ladies and gontlcnon arc they no
moro a credit to tho city, and arc not tht
schools The gainors thereby? Pupils in
sensihly initiate their teachers, and if We
arc SO limited by circumstances that w
lose caste and tone you must SEQ the ad
verse influence upon the future of YOU
city.
Arc salaries; to DO based upon the possibil
ty of cheap living? Can it DO true tina
natural aptitude, scholarship, morality, re
incment, lifelong training and the faithful
service Of years arc to count for nothing
No doubt you could fill our places to morrow
at lower salaries. If we should resign in
body, wo would not bo missed SO far as mum
bora so: but would your machine run as
smoothly? Constant change is bad for al,
business, and poor and uncertain salaries g
far to induce such state of things.
Again. It cheapness is to be the first re
quisite of your teachers, why not advertis
for those entirely unincumbered, who ca
therefore work for little or nothing? LIE
us not do you such wrong We know tina
the most OF you are just ,humanes men, thoug
perhaps you have not fully considere
tho very human side that We SEE
In point of fact, thore arc YER
few of your teachers who are not aiding i
The support of others; here it is a daughte
contributing to the necessities of widowe
mother, there Il sister helping to carry
young brother through college, or it ma
oven boz widow struggling for the dali
bread of nor fatherless little ones. And wh
shall say that this is not woman's right
Shall such a woman be refused employmer
in your schools? Or shall she be denied fa
play, lest she may have al overplus that sh
may thus bestow? But this is not to tt
point, further than as an answer to the il
admissible proposition that a teachers pa
must be graduated to tho minimum Of
support for one.
We know the generous among you repud
alto the thought. In conclusion, gentleme
if you think VIC have in any degree forgotte
The respect due your honorable body v
crave pardon if you think wo have eith'
misrepresentcd any action on your part,
indulged i'll too strong statements on our
we would respectfully ask leave to conf
with you. Many things could then be m
tually explained.
REGULAR BUSINESS.
The school year was fixed at thirty-ni1
weeks.
Ono hundred aud twenty seats were 0
dered for the Monroe and Summer school
Commencement exercises of the his
ccboo1 will Iva helI ot bn f,f Nine