The morning call., 1890-11-18
SCHOOL-TEACHERS.
A Pension Asked after Twenty.
five Years. Service.

The committee appointed by the teachers
of the public schools 10 draft a pension bill
for the retirement on half pay of those OF
their number who have put in twenty-five
years service were engaged yesterday in
sending out the following sef-explanatOry
circular, asking for the support OF the
friends of education:
a bill providing for pens0Dng teachers on
baf salary AFTER TWEEN y-five years service In the
public schools will be Introduced at the next SEES
sion OF The Legislature. All iflenoS OF education
are a.ked 10 support IL for thr following reasons:
First-Ibe teachers OF the public schools lay
The foundation Of republican government Ke-
lubican principles cannot fail while public
schools are well maintained. Good teachers
make GOOD schools and good citizens, but TO re-
lain good teachers provision must be made for
item in their Old age; Otherwise the ablest VIII
BE- constantly deseiting The schools ioi more re-
muneraiive employment.
Seoond-Oflieers Of lie army and navy are Ie-
tired on half pay, and the disabled OF The rank
and Tile ale pensioned; but these are not more
necessary IN the defense OF a republic than
teachers. The former are frequently able, on
retirement, 10 enter new field OF activity While
the teacher, by reason OF the narrowing tendency
and wearing nature OF his calling. must retire
without pension, with shattered health. and
business talents unframed and useless. Both are
public servants, but While the work Of the latter
makes possible not only The former, but the artl-
san the merchant. the doctor and the lawyer as
well, instead OF being provided Tor by Inc people
whom his services have made great The teacher
is turned over. III his OLD age, 10 Inc cOlu cOHl-
forts Of charity. His salary Is usually barely
sufficient for the daily needs OF himself and those
dependent OH him, SO that no provision can be
made for retirement. This state OF affairs Is not
cfeditable 10 the people whose success !. based
upon the labors OF these faithful servants.
ThirC--A very careful estimate demonstrates
tile Tact, that lie expense TO the Stale under Inc
conditions OF tile bill VIII not exceed. aud VIII
probably not EQUAL cents on $1,000. sum
almost loo small 10 be appreciated by the tax
payer.
Rourth-In San Francisco the average salary
is about SIS FER month for twelve months In the
year; in Other parts OF the State the schools av-
eTage less than eight months TO the year. making
ibe annual salary much less, so that 1t Is fair to
estimate that The average salary for the entire
Stale does not exceed 500 per month. Hence,
month.
surely, this is not TOO much 10 give faithful
public servant, enieebled by twenty-five years Of
Invaluable service TO the publlc-servlce so try
ing ana wing that only those best with the
yeiy best health OF body and mind can ever hope
10 reach the time-lmt emitting them 10 the
scanly protection against penuTy provided by
this bill
Filth By tie passage OF this bill California
will herald her generosity and superior clvi!iZ4-
lion 10 lie void, and VIII put heisell I'D line In
this respect with Australia aud with all Tie great
Dalions of Europe
Finally, lie. any one who may be disposed to
consider tic proposed measure unnecessary ask
himself what liz would have been without his
teacher and how lie would like 10 see that
teacher suffering for The simplest necessities Of
life VIXEN 10 longer able 10 earn hts bread by The
energy aud talents that made lie success OF his
pulls
will not only Bnd himself compelled 10 support
The measure, but, with his pioveIblal generosity
he VIII regret that il was not brought forward
long ago
Please biting this To the attention of lie legis-
iatois iiom your district. and do what you can
10 assist ID lis passage. THE COMMITTEE