New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-04-25


principals of schools. Nearly all of these in
terviews contain objections to some features
in the proposed act, though most of those who
give their views favor some system Of pensions
far teachers. The State Senate last evening
agreed to an adverse committee report on bill
similar to that passed by the Assembly.
PROGRESS OF THE AGITATION.
The teachers appear to be discussing with more
interest and even anxiety the pension bill.
which has been passed by the Assembly
than almost any other topic that has como
before them for several years. Petitonsin favor Of
the bill and against it have been extensively circu-
lated. Memorials have been printed and
distributed, some showing what are con-
sidered to be the bad features of tho
bill and others urging its passage by the Legisa-
iure The discussion has extended to the Normal
College where the majority of the teachers are pre-
pared for their life-work. Accompanying this bali
when it was sent to the Assembly was petition far
Its passage signed by about 1000 teachers but .
meeting has since been held where charges OF nH-
fairness the part of the promoters of the measure
were made, and a committee was appointed to carry
. counter petition asking Governor Cleveland "a
yeto it.
The bill was prepared by committee
appointed by the president OF the Teach
ers Association. He was authorized 10
appoint the committee by the directors of the aso-
citation As all the teachers in the city are neces
sarily affected by any legislation regarding tho
schools, and many of them do not belong to the
Teachers Association two members of the commit
tee were cho sen from that outside class. The bill
was approved by the President of the Board Of
Education before ii was sent to Albany. 1t is en-
titled: An Act TO Provide for the Retirement Of
Teachers in the Public Schools in the City OF
New-YorkD 1t provides for the establishments
Of Teachers Pension Fund. which shall
be permanent one rs far as the payment of pen
sions TO teachers in the Normal College and the
grammar and primary schools who have taughs
twenty-five years in these schools, and are unable
through physical or mental disability to perform
active duty. board of trustees is to appointed 10
have charge of the fund which Is to be raised by The
Board of Education setting aside the sums deducted
from the salaries of teachers and if necessary By
all the teachers not 10 exceed one psr
cent of the yearly salaries. The annual pension
pad to any teacher is not to exceed 81 600 and only
TO reach that SUN when the salary is more tkzn
So 900. For teachers with sslaries of $1,000 or
less the pension is to be onehaf of the salary re-
ceived at time of retirement.
The arguments brought against the bill are: A
doubt as to its constitutionality; the nexpedieney
of empowering the Board of Education to dedzes
from teachers salary on the claim of another per
son the alleged unjust manner of the proposal
assessment; the lmprobabiity of The
teachers receiving any benefit from tho
fund who should contribute most largely
TO 1t; the alleged improper discrimination IN
the payments the lack of data regarding the num-
Der of teachers eligible to receive pension at once
and regarding the amount to be raised annually;
Ri. ,..ft tl,a man rxh<
are charged by their opponents with having dare
garded the wishes of the majority OF the teachers
in the matter Although the petition that accom-
panied the bill when it was presented to the Assem-
bly, contained the signatures OF . majority OF the
teachers some of them have recently declared thas
they either signed the paper on the advice OF prnct
pals or without carefully reading the bills and psw
they have signed the counter petition urging eov-
ernor Cleveland to veto II. This second petition 10
receiving many signatures.
There 10 nearly as much diversity in tue Board OF
Education regarding the subject OF pension iuna
generally, and this one in particular. as there
is among the body of teachers. In tho
interviews obtained by TRIBUNE reporters
from prominent members OF the Board,
principals of representative schools the City
Superintendent of Schools and the President OF tas
Normal College there was no disagreement regard
ing tho Justice and necessity of providing Log
teachers unable to serve longer, but there wsre
diverse opinions as TO the manner In which she
money should be raised aud as TO the qualifications
for retirement Some were in favor Of tue city Ct
tablishing the fund. while others would have it
raised and continued by the teachers either by con-
tributons or assessments The limit of twenty-five
wears is objected to by some who would leave tho
whole matter of liking the pension in the hands Of
the Board of Education.
VIEWS OF SCHOOL COMMISSIONERS.