Los Angeles herald., 1891-02-05
INTERESTING TO TAXPAYERS.

INTERESTING TO TAXPAYERS.
The educators of the public schools of
San Francisco have held a meeting for
the purpose OF urging the legislature to
pass bill to pension teachers who have
taught in the public schools OF the state
for period OF twenty-five years. The
highest pension to be allowed any teach.
er is sixty dollars per month, but the
general rule will be to allow one-half the
rate OF the salary which the teacher was
getting when retired and placed upon
the pension list. A bill was formulated
and Professor SWEET was selected to take
it to Sacramento and urge its passage.
We have very serious doubts whether
it is in the power OF the legislature,
under the constitution of the state, to
pass law of this character which will
stand. We have no doubt, however,
OF the improperly of the pas
sage of such law. The teachers
of California are well paid for their SER
vices. No state in the union pays bet
ter salaries than ours. They range from
$40 to $l25-and upwards for special de-
partments and for principals-per month.
The great majority of the teachers are
ladies, and have only themselves to sup
port. They ought to be able, out OF their
salaries, to lay by enough in twenty-five
years to live without the aid OF pen
sion. There will always, OF course, be
exceptional cases where this could not
have been accomplished. But how many
toilers in the trades or in any kind of
work have as good a chance to provide
for their old age as our well-paid teach
ers?
With the highest appreciation Of the
value OF the services of our public edu-
Gators: we cannot believe that we are
called upon to make them pensioners of
the state. Indeed we believe that it
would not be for their own good to do
so. 1t would introduce into the profess
sion principle OF deterioration which
would detract from its present high per-
sonal standard. Being assured OF sup
port in old age, the incentive to frugal
lty and economy would be Seriously
olunted. Instead OF carefully saving
portion of their earnings against the day
when they can no longer fill their places,
they would become Indifferent to the
prudential reasons that now govern
them in their personal habits, and ex-
would be encouraged where
ppOpnOou ovuhf to ho v>root.ooI
But outside OF these Considerations !
there is one of more universal applica-
lion which forbids this kind of legisla-
ion. Ii the teachers are entitled to
pensions all other persons who serve the
public are entitled to pensions. Police |
nen, firemen and other public servants
'an ask for pensions with as much
how of justice as teachers. We may
est assured that if the wedge is
,nce entered it will not stop at the
eachers. This brings us to the consid-
'ration OF that interesting class OF peo-
Die who pay the taxes. Of course the
will come out OF their pockets,
md the great bulk of the taxes is paid |
~ people who have incomes that are not,
syen ii they come up to, in excess of
hose of the school teacher. Why should
;hese hard-bested taxpayers be obliged
% furnish pensions to people who are as
veil able to provide for old age as they
ire?
We do not believe that this bill which
he San Francisco teachers have got up
will pass. At least we believe it ought
lot to pass. Ii it should, however, it
will certainly be inconsistent with the
pirit OF our institutions and repugnant
% the limitations OF the constitution
lpon the powers of the legislature. That
of independence and self-re-
lance, which is one of the essential
of our people, is under
mined and weakened by every law that
s passed to bring them under the pa
ernal coddling of the government. 1t
s sign OF national decadence and of
,feminate tendency when a people al
ow themselves to drift into dependence
lpon government instead OF upon their
OWN energies, resources and powers OF
economic providence.
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ELSEWHERE appears communication