The Jamesburg record., 1902-05-17
Excerpt from the Annual Report
of oupt. c. ]. Baxter.

Though the public is interested in
the teacher and has fair conception
of his responsibilities it is not accus-
toned to apply the test of putting
itself in his place, and for this reason
fails to gain a correct appreciation of
his environment.
When we consider the matter of
making provision for the proverbial
and inevitable rainy day which awaits
the teacher even more surely than it
does those engaged in other occupa-
tions, we usually hear the trite re-
mark Let him look out for him
self, as Others do i" While theteacher
is at liberty to practice economy to a
we'll nigh painful degree, it is not his
privilege to beprovident, for, barring
a few exceptional cases, his salary is
not sufficient to meet both the re
quirements of the public as to its
standard of living and the inexorable
demands made upon his slender purse
by the necessity of self Improvement.
There is, on the part of many, a
very ommendabledisposition to deal
sympathetically with the teacher
whose mental and physical powers
are failing, but much OF the consid-
Grafton thus far shown has been sadly
mi>directed. Though prompted by
humane motives the employment of
teachers after their vitality is almost
exhausted and their services have
become undesirable, is both a griev-
Gus mistake and lamentable use OF
public funds 1t not only affords no
relief from the ever-increasing and
fatal burden, but robs the child of
golden opportunities.
An intense appreciation of these
abnormal and unfortunate conditions
gave rise, on the part of the teachers
themselves, to an earnest and worthy
endeavor in the line of self help, as
we'll as larger service to the State
and the outcome was the Teachers
Retirement Fund This Association.
authorized byact of Legis ature, 1896,
has present membership of 2,786,
an assured annual income of nearly
SI9,o 900, and aggregate assets of 500,
900. Even with this auspicious be-
ginning, unless its friends shall work
increasingly to add to its member
ship, and through other approved
means materially augment its in
come, the fund cannot long continue
to meet its increasing obligations.
There are already so many applica-
tions for retirement that the Board is
compelled to limit annuities to those
whose disability is the most pro-
nounced and whose necessity is the
most extreme. A dozen or more ap-
plications are now under considera-
ton, and many times this number of
teachers who have not asked to be
retired, are bravely carrying a daily
burden to which they must ere long
succumb. 1t is earnestly hoped that,
for these, provision can be made be-
fore it is too late.
Of the Al to whom annuities have
been granted 7 have already died.
Though it is cause for deep regret
that help was SO long delayed, it is
still some satisfaction to know that
through the agency of the Fund they
were delivered from consuming anx-
ity during their last days, and that
comforts were provided which, with
out its kindly aid, would have been
unavailable.
1t is also pleasant thought that
the Fund has solved most perplex-
ing problem for many humane school
boards, and has taken from many
class rooms presence which, though
loved and honored because of former
service and associations, had become
fit subject for sympathy and toler-
alton rather than a source of help
and inspiration. Nor is it less
agreeable to reflect that sew
eral of the surviving annuitants have
greatly improved in health and spir-
its and that to all have been given,
in moderate degree, both the mental
and physical relief to which they are
justly entitled.
Although the membership of the
Fund has not increased so rapidly as
could be desired, and the receipts
from friendly and benevolent sources