The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-03-18
TEACHERS FUND.
Chairman Thorn Explains
the Bill Now Before
the Legislature.
FEATURES OF THE MEASURE
Appointees Before 1900 May
Chose Membership After
That All Must Join.

To the Editor of 1.-THE Jersey City News":-
The New Jersey State Committee or
Teachers Pensions is DESTROYS that the
teachers n the people of the State shall
know precisely the provisions of House
bill No. ISL, amending the Teachers Re
tirement Fun law. which passed the As
sembly unanimously Monday evening last,
1t may be remembered hat a bill en-
bodying most of these provisions passed
the Legislature of 1897 with but one dis
senting vote, but serious errors in Ell
crossing the act prevented its considera-
ton by Governor Griggs; and that an
other similar measure passed the Legis-
votes. but was vetoed by Governor voor-
hees because it appropriated State funds
to defray the expense of the administra-
ton of the fund in the Office of the State
omitted from the measure now under con
sideration. which does not ask a penny
from the State for any purpose whatever;
The important provisions of the bill
now before the House are
1.-The Board of Trustees is reduced
from nineteen to seyenc.
1.-THE number of trustees to be nomi-
mated by the teacher is increased from
two to three.
I~II.-Annuities reduce pro rata for any
quarter when there may not be sufficient
IV.-The membership list is reopened
for the remainder of this year to the
present teaching force Of the State.
sage of this bill and before January l,
1900, nave one year from date of appoint
ment in which to elect whether they vii!
or will not joinsthe fund.
Wilt provides that all persons who be-
come teachers in this State, after January
1, 1900, shall, by virtue of their appoint
ment. become members of the fund. This
is in accordance with the laws Of every
other State in the Union where similar re-
tirement fund laws exist, and insures per-
m%anence to the plan.
The other amendments concern only de-
tails of administration.
Let 1T be clearly understood that no
person who is at present a teacher in New
the present year. is Obliged to join the
fund. Membership in the fund will be,
however, a part of the contract of all per-
sons becoming public school teachers in
this State after January ], 1900; in cnoos-
ing their profession they will know that
they are thereby entitled to the benefits
of the Teachers Retirement Fund law.
The law provides that members of the
FUND of five years standing or more, who
retire from the profession Of teaching in
the. State. are entitled to receive back one
half of all monies they may have paid in
to the fund.
The teachers philanthropically recog-
nize their duty to one Ahother and to
their profession. The dec lction of one per
cent. from each months salary is IN
amount too small to entail hardship upon
the teacher so contributing, and yet these
small sums aggregate at present al in
come of $751; 600 annually to our fund. The
propose plan VIII so operate tnaC IN ten
or twenty years every public school
teacher will be a member of the fund,
insuring an annual income of more than
$3O, 000, upon which we will be able to
guarantee the continua-lce of a small
annuity to the aged and invalided teach
ers who now look to the fund for their
future maintenance.
At present the fund has permanently
invested about $50, 600: has an annual in
come of s13, 600; thirteen teachers have
been retired and are being supported by
the fund; the average annuity paid is
1882. 70, a sum sufficient to secure a dig
nifed, though modest independence to the
men and women who have devoted their
lives to the noble work of teaching. The
retirement of a teacher to poverty, or
humiliating dependence On the m
ity. must bring dishonor upon the pro-
fession and work injury to the education
al system of the State. The Teachers
Retirement Fund law was conceived in
the interest of humanity and for the
benefit of the schools, and it is earnestly
hoped that the Senate will not fail to
sanction a Measure that will more sol
idly establish the plan for providing hon
orable retirement to the worthy veterans
of the public schools of New Jersey.
Very respectfully,
FRANKLIN THORN,
Chairman New Jersey State Committee
on Teachers Pensions,
Paterson. March Is. 1899.