The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-01-21
ON THE PENsIoSING OF TEACHERS.
SEATTLE. Jan. %. Isa2

SEATTLE, Jan. %, 1897
To THE Editor: The recently published
opinion Of Nj. Superintendent Barnard that
'The men and women who educate the nation
are as justly entitled TO pensions as those who
defended It when its safety was endangered is
worthy OF serious consideration The arts Of
peace are infinitely more useful. beautiful and
constant than the art of war, and their require
ment and practice are far from easy. To de-
stroy men and devastate the earth is no very
difficult matter, but the training of the little,
Maynard, wilful human up 10 the stature of a
good cirisen-man or vomsn-that is the finest
of tine arts. Chronologieally, too, the teacher
is of higher value than the soldier. Neither
shall they learn war any more" the Good Book
tells Us. while it assures that OF .peaee there
shall be no end" After q while the soldier
viii disappear from the face of the earth-eyen
In these days nations are cautiously keeping
him es much a. possible tout of active service
and posterity viii wonderingly read about
him az an unpleasant feature Of the bad old
times. As for the work of the teacher, it every
year is more aud more, and must of necessity
continue while the race OF man inhshits this
giooe FOR these reasons alone, then, the educa-
tors OF nation are at least as worthy as the
soldiers of high care and consideration
But how ought pensions for teachers 70 be
provided? To minds of q certain caste the ba-
zaars In Philadelphia and New York, referred to
By Mr.. Barnard, SAVIOR somewhat of that sort of
phllsnthrophy which nourishes its own self
love by the giving of aims rather than the do
ing OF justice. II the claims OF the teacher on
the support of the commonwealth are as strong
as those OF the soldier-and they are stronger
then Is the commonwealth the proper source of
teachers pensions. Certain governments reeog-
nize this fact, and act accordingly. Even from
that little old country, Ireland, may we, of this
large new land, learn how TO care for the public
school teacher. Her national schools, es.sb-
Ilshed In the year ISL, are now, after the ex-
pefience OF sixty years, at a very high pitch OF
exeellenee; and her board OF education, while
carefully studying the interests of the pupils.
has not overlooked the welfare OF the teacher
The Irish national pedagogue resembles all
DINER varieties of pedsgogue in that be Is not
bowed down by load of wealth. His income
has three so0rces-sehool fees, results fees, !"
and government salary. The school fees are
merely nominal, are not compulsory, and often
amount TO but little. Results fees are mora
valuable. They consist of stated sums paid
to the teachers by the government on account
OF pupils who pass satisfactory examinations
ID certain compulsory or extra branches But
the government salary is that 10 which the Irish
teacher anchors his hopes, and with reason
Whatever else may fail, that is sure. Yet does
ne never become rich enough 10 provoke envy
or dynamite. From year to year plain comfort
he certainly has, with q small surplus for incl
VeHIaa Aches or lis or 20 meet those claims on
beneyolence or duty which not seldom untia
the hardest knots OF the purse strings For old
age little or nothing is lett But at this point
the wisdom OF the government is seen. On one
easily fulfilled condition il insures the super
animated teacher against want or dependence
BY having triling premium deducted from
TIE quarterly installmsn;s OF salary he or shs
provides a comfortable annuity for those DAYS
when earnings shall bs no more.
II is mi s-,rr,takYa rIas
have been made in the time q. which tho
teacher might withdraw from active service
and enjoy his pension; but only few years ago
II was based upon age Men teachers could re-
TIRE at IS years and women teachers at g.
The amount of the Irish teachers annuity is,
Ike his salary, based on his class; and while
even the largest of these pensions falls far short
OF wealth. the smallest is sufficient TO secure "a
its recipient q fair share of comfort
NARY GILNoUR