The daily morning journal and courier., 1897-11-02
TEACHERS ANNUITY GUILD.

Aims of the Organization Explained by
 George B Hurd-Has Over Five
 Hundred Members-Those Who Have
 Taught Fifteen or More Years Are
 Not Eligible After November 6, 1S97- Association Established in a Spirit of
 Broad Benevolence.
 The Connecticut Teachers Annuity Guild is an institution that has come to stay. As firmly as our national gov ernment is founded on the triple fact stated by our immortal Lincoln, so firmly is this guild already in existence, with a membership of over five hun- dred teachers. It was formed of the teachers, for the teachers and by the teachers.
 The triple fact has it's peculiar force, because it expresses the three basal facts of all worthy organizations among men. First, the combined wish and judgment of an intelligent compa- my of people. Second the aim to &C., complish something for the real benefit of all concerned. Third, the freedom of choice of each related being, to join or not, and joining, to have his share of power and responsibility in it's affairs. The guild came into being by the ex- pressed wish of over two hundred and fifty teachers of Connecticut. The committee whom they appointed had no choice but to obey their definite request and formulate the needed plans for such institution.
 This request came from 9 clearly evi- dent need of some form of combined ef- fort, to meet the cases of peculiar hard ships that are constantly occurring in our profession, in a spirit of broad be- nevolence, and on sound business prin- ciples. A benevolence that does not ob- trude itself as a gift of charity by a few near friends or almoners, but reg ular systematic financial help due to it's recipient by virtue of professional worth and hand responsive to the needs of others when the receiver had been in good health and possessing a comfortable income.
 This guild is on a wholly voluntary basis. It contemplates no assessment of any teacher who does not feel de- sire to join. Its organization is pro- test against any plan by which the state or school board, or any commit tee might withhold percentage of all salaries to form fund for benevolence The membership of this body believe such unwilling collection is against the spirit of individual rights, and should not be countenanced; that such a col lection would be far less desirable than the right of pension from the state, diff ficult as that right might be to estab- fish clearly in our form of government. This organization asks neither, but, with a provident benevolent business Elan, tries to meet the needs of our pro- fession at this time. As the years go by the young teacher, full of the bounding vigor of youth at the start, will see the practical and philanthropic phases of this organization. As here and there a bright, strong young teacher breaks by the strain of life, and is compelled to rest for year or two from active duty in order to keep from a permanent breaking down, the benefits of this guild, or the absence of it's help, will as- sert its usefulness with equal force, and the guild will keep up its membership and be strong to do its work.
 But there are many earnest teachers in Connecticut who have reached the fifteen years limit, who will not be eligible for membership after Saturday November 6, according to the constitu- tion of the guild. Many of these teach CTS, in the pressure of work and by the