The record-union., 1893-03-14

State; theirs to train your children for
life's work, TO mold them into the future
men and women of the State. The con-
scientious teacher deserves your enco-
miums, your respect, your gratitude, and
perhaps better salary than some of
them get.
A high calling and good works do not
Justify the assertion which would make
1t imperative on the State to pension such
workers. No taxes are so willingly paid
as those designed for the maintenance of
our public schools. The taxpayers have
right to expect value received from the
teachers for these expenditures. In the
majority of cases they receive ii. Is do
ing ones duty, then, such lost art or of
SO rare an occurrence that a premium
must be put upon it?
Ihe influence of pensions is narrowing.
1here nothing in the range OF common
sense that warrants saddling a semi
charitable system of livelihood upon
body. of intelligent teachers, who have
simply done their duty.
To the plea: ''They become broken
down III health, unit for active service,
but must continue teaching as means OF
livelihood" These are hard facts, in
many cases sadly true, but it is life.
Even then-to state the case personally
II alter twenty-five years of teaching,
having grown ''cross and ugly, as school
$1,000 O4tCh wv L nave uOG StlNSC
enough from my salary TO guarantee
shelter for the prOYerbial rainy day." is
there any method of just reasoning that
makes it obligatory upon the State to hold
pension umbrella over my head for the
rest of my natural life?
may seek sympathy from a single
taxpayer, but as the State is not respon-
slble for my shattered nerves. unsweet-
ened disposition and want OF financiering,
there Is hardly provocature enough TO
warrant assistance from the great army of
taxpayers.
Pension the medical profession because,
torsooth, your family physician in
twenty-five years of faithful service has
many times snatched your loved ones
from deaths door. Pension the ministry,
IN grateful remembrance of the dear,
good pastor who for quarter of a CEN
tury has baptized the babies, and kept
religion S cloak tightly wrapped around
your boys and girls. But why multiply
instances
The picture of yearly increasing mem
Ders OF superannuated teachers, making
monthly plgrimages to the Pension
bureau, there to receive the homage of a
grateful State, may appeal to a sentiment
TAI vision, but 1t lacks the perspective
OF practical common sense.
The conscientious, deserving teacher,
who has spark of independence or
PIiue III ner profession, VIII have none
OF 1t. In the majority OF cases the unde-
serving will inherit the States sheckels
II San Francisco teachers deem pensions
OF SO much vital importance, let them or
game mutual protective union to care
Tor their needy. Let the organization ex-
tend throughout the State. ia grateful
public desire to make more substantial
returns to its educators, increased sala-
rles and permanent positions us long as
good work is done, would not be inap-
propriate.
The pension bill will benefit few in
dividuals its influence on the profession
Will be most pernicious.
Many laws might be passed that would
materially benefit both teachers and
schools. They have not yet been framed.
But IN their stead we protest against the
passage of bill, deservedly so unpopu-
lar with the taxpayers-and against
which we believe a majority of the five
thousand State teachers. would echo.-
"No!-a thousand times, MOI" if the
question were left to their voice and vote.
Wait while. In the meantime let the
teachers discuss the question at their in
stitutes and decide the issue for them
selves. L. a. WILSON.