The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-01-09
is VIGOROUSLY DISCUSSED BY THE
ST. PAUL TEACHERS Assoc
CITATION.
MATTER OF APPROPRIATION
AROUSED SOME DEBATE, AND
TREASURER DONNELLY, BEATEN,
RESIGNS HIS PLACE.
To Serve the Association for the
Next Year-Encouragem cement From
Abroad.

There was a lively time at yester-
days session of the st. Paul Teachers
association over the proposition of the
legislative committee to have appro-
priated for it's use a small amount for
expenses in bringing before the men,
bers of the legislature the desire Of the
association to have a teachers pension
bill passed. The appropriation was op-
posed by Treasurer j. G. Donnelly,
principal Of the German school, who is
the McCardy Of the association treas
ury, so to speak, and who was of the
opinion that the association was go
ing out OF its sphere when 1T appropri-
ated money in any way to influence
legislation. 1t was pointed out that the
money was to be used for circulars,
tirely legitimate way, and when the
appropriation was passed in spite OF
his opposition, Prof. Donnelly at once
resigned his position.
He made protestaltions of gratitude
to the teachers for the confidence in
him exhibited by his reelection, but
called attention to the fact Of his long
tenure Of office, and suggested that
it might be well to choose some one
else.
The members Of the association, how
ever, without any debate, promptly
voted not to accept the resignation of
the veteran treasurer, and the differ
ence of opinion in regard to the appro-
priation will perhaps come up later.
Yesterdays was the annual meeting,
and in addition to the reports Of the
librarian and other officers, Mr.. Don
nelly submitted his report showing re-
reipts of $974.59, and expenditures of
$77S22, leaving a balance on hand of
1851
Officers were elected as follows:
President, Prof. J. G. Bryant; first vice
president, Miss G. w. A. Blackman;
second vice president, Miss M. J. New
son; recording secretary, Miss Miller,
who resigned, and Miss NJ Hanchett
was chosen; treasurer, ]. C. Donnelly.
Capt c.. c. Whitney yesterday re-
ceiVed a letter from Mrs. Harriet N
Tucker, formerly of Marshall, now Of
New Albany, Ind, strongly advocating
the enactment of law for the pen
sioning of teachers.
Mrs. Tucker was the first to advocate
the establishment Of a school for the
blind in this state, and was the first
principal Of the institution when it
was finally located at Faribault At
that time, she was comparatively
wealthy and devoted a great deal Of
her time and means to charity. Now
she is 80 years of age, and totally with
out means.
She herself has had the experience
that many other teachers have had,
and, in speaking of the proposed PEN
sion system, she says that if the pub
lie once understood the matter thor
oughly, such pressure would be
brought to bear upon the legislature
that the measure would be enacted
without delay. She says that teachers
who devote themselves cOnScientiouSly
to their work, have no opportunity to
turn aside and accumulate means for
their support in old age, and their sal
aries are not sufficient to allow them to
save much. She received the munifi-
cent sum Of $3.50 per year as principal
of the school for the blind when it
was first established.
Then the funds Of the state were
tied up in unstable bonds. Now that
the state has one of the most magnifl-
cent school funds in the Union, Mrs.
Tucker says that the legislature
should not be parsimonious, but should
provide literally for the schools and
teachers, and then require the high
est standard of excellence in the quail
ifications of teachers. She asks that
the state press take up the pension
matter, and create public sentiment
in it's favor.