davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The morning call., 1895-02-09
THE SCHOOLTEACHERS ARE NOT AGREED

pension organization, and most of them
paid. 1t melted perhaps $3.50 or $500. The
expenses of the committee have includ-
ed the salaries they have sacrificed
while away, travelling and hotel expenses
and. of course, few flowers, books and
other incidentals.
There is by no means 4 unanimity OF
opinion among the local teachers and prin-
cipals as to the ACCESSIBILITY of passing such
a measure. Interviews with membe OF
the department revealed this yesterday.
While some teachers favor the proposition
of pension for teachers who have grown
old or disabled in the service, they find
fault with the methods adopted for raising
funds. Many do not think it ''just the
idea" to pay teachers pension out OF the
dog license fund and out of the revenues
derived from licenses of pawnbrokers, bill
hard-hall keepers, secondhand dealers and
jUnkmen. AS one of these put it: "If
the State cannot pay US out of a special
fund that may be raised for the purpose I
want none of it,
Another point which is not appreciated
is the creation of commission, which
bACl OlStilIl 10 81 J1CCNi1CSo SApShoS 1llI Gth6S
the handling of funds out of the jurisdic-
ton where they properly belong-either
the State Board of Education or in local
boards.
Then again, the act provides that on the
last day of June of each year the Auditor
of the city or county shall report as to all
moneys paid out during the year, and as to
the general standing of the fund, after
which all surplus remaining in the said
fund during the three years next preced-
ing shall be transferred to the general
fund of the city and county. This money
may be retransferred though in case the
pension fund should be depleted.
A strong objection urged against this is
that no donations, legacies or requests viii
ever be made to the fund if the money is to
be turned over into the general fund of the
city or county. Nobody" said one of the
teachers, "who might desire to leave some
The morning call., 1895-02-09
THE SUPERINTENDENT SPEAKS.
he Is Decidedly Opposed to Pensions TO
Teachers.

He Is Decidedly Opposed to Pensions for
Teachers.
Superintendent of Schools Andrew J.
Moulder holds very decided views as to the
proposition of pensioning teachers While
not desiring to discuss the details of the
bill he expressed himself as strongly OPP
posed to pensions.
"Of course, he said, ''there are excep-
tons, as l will explain. In the first place,
no one knows better than do that school
teachers life is not one perpetual summer
day. | think there is more tendency to
nervous disorders among teachers than
in many other professions. The strain
on their nerves is high, and in the
course of time they must make room for
younger and fresher teachers, Just as first
class locomotive engineer gets so worn out
that he can no longer trust himself with a
passenger train, and is given a slow going
freight-train engine.
"But, recognizing all this, that is no rea-
son why person who has worked certain
number of years in certain profession
should be allowed to retire with an
annuity Why should teachers expect it
any more than carpenters, ianitors and
others who might be named?
sit is different when a person becomes
disabled through age or infirmities. Why,
| humanity alone should prompt us to care
| for him or her. But if that is the case. as
regards this bill, am free to say that there
are not more than six persons in the de-
partment that | know of who are entitled
| to its benefits
GAS / said l do not care to discuss the
details of this bill, for have paid but lit
tie attention to them. The tendency of
the measure would be to induce able
| bodied teachers to withdraw from service
L 4 e. i
| time. What would be the result? The
State would be paying out large sums of
money to strong, healthy people who could
support themselves otherwise. No, the
principle is wrong.
'If the teachers would organize a soci-
ETY. of their own and pay out a certain
amount of money toward fund which
they could draw on when they got old and
incapacitated that is another matter. But
I doubt whether it would succeed.
Look at our present Teachers Mutual Aid
Society.
at is very worthy association. have
contributed my share toward it, and so
have many in the department. But look
at it. OF the 873 teachers in this depart
ment / don't think there are more than
800 who belong to it. They will not pay
out so cents a month. I don't say they
are mean, but they are thoughtless. They
are young and in health, and do not need
any assistance, so they do not think of
those who do. Now, is it right when per-
sons who act thus become old or disabled
to take them in hand and say, Well you
didn't help as at all when you could afford
it, but still We'll see that you are comforta-
BILE for the rest of your days?' Still, that
is not exactly the point as regards this
pension matter. That will not be benefit
to the department"
"What do you think about using the dog
license and pawnbroker license moneys for
the pension fund? ' was asked.
''Well, it don't sound well, but, then,
beggars can't be choosers, you know" and
Mr.. Moulden laughed.
The morning call., 1895-02-09
KNOWLEDGE

Brings comfort and improvement ana
tends to personal enjoyment when
rightly used. The many, who live bet
ter than others and enjoy life more. with
less expenditure, by more promptly
adapting the worlds best products to
the needs of physical being, will attest
the value to health of the pure liquid
laxative principles embraced in the
remedy, Syrup of Figs.
Its excellence is due to its presenting
in the form most acceptable and pleas
ant to the taste, the refreshing and truly
beneficial properties of a perfect lax.
alive; effectually cleansing the system
dispelling colds, headaches and feyers
and permanently curing constipation.
1t has given satisfaction to millions and
met with the approval of the medical
profession because it acts on the Kid
neys, Liver and Bowels without weak
ening them and it is perfectly free from
every Objectionable substance.
Syrup of Figs is for sale by all drug.
gists in SOC and ST bottles, but it is man.
ufactured by the California Fig Syrup
Co. only, whose name is printed on every
package, also the name, Syrup of Figs,
and being well informed, you will not
accept any substitute if offered.
The morning call., 1895-02-09

California, but when our population num-
beers millions the teachers will be increased
in the same ratio. The teachers here are as
well paid as the average clerk or the aver
age professional man or woman who
works for salary-the average preacher.
doctor or newspaper man, for instance. It
is the few in the old professions who gain
large incomes.
Zone thing that should be considered is
that if such law is created many old
teachers, who have permanently retired,
would try to get back into the schools that
they might soon retire on a pension. Then
it does not provide for the ones that a per-
son most wants to provide for-his family.
l think | get what l am entitled to. and
that [ owe the State no favors and it owes
me none. think the teachers should be
opposed to it, too, for the reason that a
general reduction of salaries would natur-
ally follow.
81 think the dog license or anv other
fund is poor source to draw teacher
income from. If the teachers are worthy
OF pension it should come from direct
taxation. The salary surplusage to go into
the fund would be big sum in San Fran
CISCO and at the present rate of depart
ment expenditure would result in deficit.
l don't believe the bill will pass because l
believe the Legislature to be composed of
men of more sense"
The morning call., 1895-02-09
MISS JEAN PARKER's VIEWS.
The Principal of the Broadway Grammar
Opposed to Pensions.

Miss Jean Parker, principal of the Broad
way Grammar School, is opposed to the
bill on general principles. She fought the
bill presented to the Legislature two years
ago, and as result created some i'll feeling
among the friends of the measure. When
asked for her views upon the proposition,
she said:
81 do not think pensions are a good
thing and l will tell you why. If the fu-
ture of the teachers was assured, salaries
would be reduced accordingly. Now | will
tell you why I have been led to believe
pensions are not good thing: In the bill
proposed two years ago it was the inten-
ton to retire all the teachers who had
served in the schools of the State for
twenty years or over on half pay. That
would have meant that principals of
schools would be shelved with more paw
coming to them for doing nothing than
teachers draw for active work.
Furthermore, the teachers who would
be retired under the new law would get
little or nothing. / came to the conclu-
sion that just because one teacher had
been elevated to better paying position
than her fellow-worker, it was no reason
why the State should take them under it's
care and pay them more money for doing
nothing than those in active service.
.'This years bill / have not read, but 7
is no reason why teachers should be pen
stoned any more than any other class of
workers The Government has toe MANY
pensioners now without adding any more
to the list. l am opposed to pensions in
anv form -
The morning call., 1895-02-09

accordance with the previous salary and
services of the teacher who may wish to
retire. You see in some parts of the State
salaries are very small, some teachers get
ting only $50 a month. Well, such a
teacher could retire and get the same
salary as teacher who had been getting
$100 or more. / think we will fix the PEN
sion at half or two-thirds of the salary last
received by the teacher.
GAS to the dog license and other license
clauses mentioned | must say personally
that do not want them in the bill. They
are Objectionable, but that is easily RENE
died by the stroke of pen if the teachers
have any feeling over the matter, and
understand that they have. We want to
do all our amending to the bill while it is
in the hands of the Senate committee and
not when it comes up for passage.
with all these or any other amend
ments which may seem proper think the
bill will pass, and l sincerely hope so.
sit is for the good of the public schools
and the children who must get their edu-
cation there. Most of the teachers who
have taught for twenty or twenty-five
years have acquired great many friends
in the community and also in the Board of
Education. In the natural course of time
these teachers must fail, mentally and
physically, and practically become incapa-
Die. DuI UNe DOdTu Vi EuuCdGlOu, Vi w Ilslb-
ever authority may exist TO govern the
schools, is naturally unwilling to
put these old servants out of a
way of making living. The result
is that in many cases men and women who
are practically disabled by age, and the
wear of years are retained in positions to
the detriment of the school service. If
they can be retired on a comfortable pen
sion, or if they know that they will not fall
into want, everything will be more agree
able. 1t is my opinion that most teachers
would resign after serving the best years
of their lives knowing that they would be
provided for in old age.
"Do think it would be more to the ad-
vantage of the teachers and better for the
State treasury if the teachers organized
themselves and cared for the old and dis
abled in their profession themselves? No,
do not. do not think such an organi-
cation would succeed. The teachers are
the servants of the State, and put in the
best years of their life for the good of the
community. The State should, therefore,
be back of a proposition of this kind. II
would strengthen it, give it backing and
assure it complete success. Besides, under
this very bill large part of the revenue
would come from the teachers themselves
If the dog license and other money turn
The morning call., 1895-02-09
JAMES G. KENNEDY
A Principal Who Opposes Pension on Every
Ground.


James G. Kennedy, principal of the
Franklin Grammar School, is strongly op-
posed to the pensioning of teachers from
any standpoint. In discussing the PROPOSE
ton in general, and the pending bill in par
ticular, Mr.. Kennedy said yesterday:
81 am opposed to any pension whatever.
| don't see any better reason for pension
ing teachers than for pensioning doctors or
carpenters. / am opposed to pensioning
anybody except the people of the army
and navy who endanger their limbs and
lives. Even the members of police and
Fire Departments who are sometimes pen
stoned endanger their lives in the service
they perform. Teachers do not endanger
their lives.
1.-THE general argument that it would
raise the quality of teachers take no stock
in, for teacher who will not work for the
highest success in his profession for the
professional pride and honor that re-
suit would not do so if he had a pension
in view.
~ don't believe in piling up pensions.
for it would result in an enormous tax on
the State. This is not paternal Govern
ment, and everybody is supposed during
his active career to make provision for old
age. In monarchy people are pensioned
that they may be loyal to the Government
Here we are loyal to a principle. Such a.
pension would always be on the increase
in its cost, for there would be no end to
the teachers. A war pension expense
finally decreases and then disappears. but
a teachers pension would forever increase
as the population grows.
There are now about 5000 teachers in
The morning call., 1895-02-09

teaching" she urged. "Men and women
will feel that they can give themselves up
to it heart and soul without having the
fear of being turned out to starve in their
old age constantly haunting them. We
want the law to be constitutional, OF
course. 1 have been working on one for
three years. It has been rewritten a
thousand times. The best lawyers have
passed favorably upon it, and then dis
covered errors. Yesterday we thought we
had bill without a flaw. Yet last night
we found what would undoubtedly have
been a fatal error in it.
Mrs. Bradley explained that what was
wanted was to get the bill law and in
working order. When people saw its sue
Gees then hope of monetary aid from the
State might be entertained. She was sure
that when so much money was being left
to orphan asylums many people would be
found interested in fund to pension aged
teachers.
Mrs. Craven was i'll to-day, having en-
dured too much mental excitement in her
interviews with the opponents of the bill.
She was confined to her room all the after
noon, but this evening talked of the pros
poets of the bill.
"You may state that it is constitutional, +"
she said decidedly. GA. G. Freeman has
passed upon it and the Acknowledgement
says it is all right. Governor Budd is
with US, too, and has promised to sign the
bill when it passes the Legislature.
She had heard the objection raised that
no bill was required and that corporation
could be formed that would serve the pur-
pose just as well and without so much
bother.
81 have particularly good reasons for
wanting this to be made part of the law
The morning call., 1895-02-09
PRINCIPAL JOSEPH o'ooNNoR.
He Believes in the Theory but Not in the
Bill,

Bill.
Joseph O'Connor, principal of the Horace
Mann School, fayors the theory but not the
present bill. II believe in pensioning
teachers" he said, because WORKOUT
teachers would not be so long retained in
the service to the injury of the children.
The teachers aid in protecting the country
as much as the army and navy. They
often break down because of the severity of
the work and the nervous tension, and it
does not seem right to let them 90 to the
Almshouse. If man worked for me for
twenty-five years as faithfully as most
teachers work, and then became incapaci-
tated without means of support, should
not turn him out to starve. There is some
thing OF gratitude due to people who have
done public service for twenty-five years
and broken down under it.
1.-THE main thing is to retire the few who
get broken down that the younger and
stronger may be put in their. places. The
best and easiest way to provide pension
fund would be for the law to authorize the
proper officials of every county to withhold
l or IL per cent of the salaries of all teach
ers, who have taught, say ten years or
more. The main objection have to the
present bill is, that the pensions are not
graded according to rank and previous
salary. IN some instances 1OulQ IN the
country the pension would amount to more
than the yearly salary. The fact that the
pending bill provides that teachers shall
retire only at their own request would
make those getting the biggest salaries
hold on when broken down instead of
making way for teachers of more mental
and physical vigor. l don't think the bill
will pass, for it will tread on the corns of
some poorer counties. where few teachers
would retire at an advanced income.
"In New York and in Europe teachers
pensions are graded according to salary.
By the way, the average salary of teachers
in this State is not as high as many think
it is. 1t was found two years ago that the
thirteen teachers in Mendocino County
who would have been entitled to pensions
received an average of 1856 a',year. In Butte
County there was but one who had taught
twenty-five years, and the yearly income
was $500. In Nevada County there were
three at an average of 1888. In MERGED
County there were two, getting $500 and
5000, respectively, and in Lake County
there were five, four of whom received $500
in year and one $500. You see that there
are few teachers eligible to pensions, and
all of them would not retire soon, but as
the bill now stands the pension would in
crease their YEARLY income
The morning call., 1895-02-09
STRIKE IT OUT.
What A. L. Mann Says About the Dog
License Clause.

w HdI n liz NAM DAYS AOouG IH5 log
License Clause.
A. L. Mann, who is principal of the Den
man School, has been taking quite an
&C tive interest in the proposed measure
and was largely instrumental in having
the bill drawn up in its present shape. at
the same time Mr.. Mann is not perfectly
satisfied with it from a personal stand
point.
when we drew that bill up" said he,
in speaking of the matter yesterday, 1--WE
based it upon the same lines as the law
now existing in the State of New York. As
that worked so well there we thought that
it would do for US. But there have al
ready been four notifications to the bill
as at first presented and there may be
others yet. For instance, we struck out
that clause relating to the turning over of
5 per cent of the liquor license money to
the pension fund; we also proposed an
amendment that surplus money shall be
transferred to the school fund instead of
the general fund, except in the matter of
legacies and donations, which are not to
be subject to transfer at all.
1--WE are now considering an amendment
regulating the amount OF the pension in
The morning call., 1895-02-09
LET TEACHERS CONTRIBUTE.
So Says T. H. MCCARTHY of the Washing
ton Grammar School

T. II. Mccarthy, vice-principal of the
Washington Grammar School, is opposed
to the measure from every point of view.
He said: "If the teachers want pensions,
let them contribute to fund the same as
the policemen and firemen do. We are a
well-paid class Of workers and really see
no need for a pension being granted to any
teacher just because they are teachers.
''If the State starts in to pension the
teachers they might Just as well pension
every one else. Mr.. White, the principal,
comedies with my views on this matter.
We have frequently talked upon the sub
ject, and know he is opposed to any
pensioning by the State, or in any form
other than by contributions from the
teachers. This could be done and bring
better results than by any taxation.
Now, regarding the compulsory retire
ment of teachers, I do not know what this
bill calls for, as have not read it, but if it
is anything similar to the one proposed
two years ago am opposed to that. When
teachers become incapacitated they will re-
tire without being compelled"
The morning call., 1895-02-09
SHE PAv0Rs PENSIONS.
Miss Hurley Says That the Proposed Measure
Is a Good One,

Miss ]. NJ. a. Hurley, principal of the
Sherman Primary School, favors the bill
and was conversant with the provisions of
the measure, having heard them read at
the meeting OF the teachers Tuesday after
noon.
'sI believe it is good idea to pension the
teachers" she said, "because many of
them, who are now tired of the work,
would resign if they knew they would have
something to fall back on. I believe most
all the teachers have been contributing to
the fund to secure the passage of the bill,
which, according to my idea, meets the
general approval OF those employed in the
schools.
tThe bill was taken up by sections at the
meeting on Tuesday and thoroughly dis
cussed. 1t met with little or no opposition
from the teachers present.
ssNow, in my school very few of the
teachers would be affected by the bill, as
the majority are young teachers; but in
other schools there are many who would
gladly resign if they were sure of some in
come. This, think, you will find to be
the sentiment all over the city"
The morning call., 1895-02-09
ASSESS THE TEACHERS.
How Miss Campbell Would Create Pension
Fund,

Miss Campbell, one of the teachers in the
Broadway Grammar School, has given the
pension question considerable thought,
but she is opposed to regular State sys-
tenn of providing for the teachers. She
said: II am not in favor of pensioning the
teachers in any such way as was proposed
two years ago. l think if there should be
any fund of the kind kept up the teachers
should be assessed for the amount, and 1
believe that is the only true way to go at
it. [ believe there should be a retirement
law to do away with the superannuated
teachers and make way for younger people.
Now my reason for desiring such law is
the fact that so many men of influence
have grown up under the present teachers
that when an effort is made to remove any
one some of the old scholars come forward
and say: "No. We went to school to that
teacher, she should be retained
~ have not read the bill, but would be
opposed to it from the outlines you have
given"
The morning call., 1895-02-09

thing for the teachers fund would do it if
it is to be turned over to the city or
county"
Following will be found comments upon
the proposed measure by some of the local
teachers and principals.
The morning call., 1895-02-09
APPROVES THE PRINCIPLE.
a Teacher Who Believes in Making Pensions
Enual,

Mrs. G. Washburn, principal of the Henry
Durant Grammar School, said: ~ am in
favor of establishing pension for teachers.
am very much in favor of the bill as it is
proposed, and think it a good plan that
all those who are retired should be put on
an equal basis as to the amount of pension
l believe in the principle of pensions, and
think that the State should make liberal
provision for the old teachers by some fair
and reasonable tax"
The morning call., 1895-02-09
ARE YET UNDAUNTED.
Teachers Have Another Bill
for Pensions.
THE WORK OF THREE WOMEN.
They Prepare a Plan That Is Not
Unconstitutional.
MRS. CRAVEN'S LUCID EXPLANATION.
Funds to Be Raised From Salaries,
Donations, Bequests and Per.
centage on Dog Licenses.

SACRAMENTO, Feb. 8.-Nothing daunted
by the rejection of their bill for the pen
sioning of teachers by the Assembly COM
mittee on retrenchment, the teachers of
San Francisco to-day introduced bill in
the House from which is eliminated all
appropriations of moneys from the State
or county. The organization of county
boards to consist of the County Treasurer,
The morning call., 1895-02-09
About Their New Pen
sion Measure
BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE.
1t Has Some Objectionable
Features.
NOTABLY AS TO INCOME TAX
Which Will Form the Nucleus Of
the School Fund.
THE SUPERINTENDENT OPPOSES II.
Principals and Teachers Frankly Express
Their Views For and Against
the Bill.
Which Will Form the Nucleus Of
the School Fund.
THE SUPERINTENDENT OPPOSES IT.

Among the various matters which are
pending before the Legislature is one
in which the schoolteachers, not only of
this city, but the State at large4 are taking
a deep interest.
1t is a measure that was introduced in
the Assembly by Legislator Langford and
in the Senate by Mr.. Bert, and its purpose
is to create and administer a schoolteach-
The morning call., 1895-02-09

Switzerland is about to establish a state
bank at Berne, which will have the exclu-
sive right to issue bank notes. The capt.
tai is fixed at 100000 francs, the Swiss
confederation making itself responsible for
all liabilities.