Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-11-08
-TEAChERS ! [ ASk RAlSE
sEIF-sUPpoRTING CLASS MENTION
INCREASED COST OF LIVING
IN RICHMOND.
HOW THEIR. SALARIES RANGE.
From sss a Month to s55-substi-
tutcs, 81 Day.
PETITION IS SIGNED By 15s.
only Thirty of the Total Number
Employed by the City Are Not Re-
presented on tho Paper-Mattcr
Referred to a Committee of which
Major James H. oapcrs is Chair
nnn-History of Petition.

The public school teachers Of the city
Friday night presented petition to the
School Board, asking an increase OF
salary. The matter was referred to a
committee, OF which Major James II.
Capers is chairman. This comm,ltee will
report on the matter the last Tuesday
of this MONTH when it will be sent to the
Common Council with such recommends
ton as the board sees fit to make. Major
Capers, when seen last night, said that
he could offer no opinion as to what the
recommended ton would be-
THE petition was brief courteous, and
to the point he said ut set forth that
the cost OF living had largely increased
within tn past year or two and asked a
consistent raise in the salaries of the
public school teachers. No specific
amount was suggested.
History Of the Petition.
There were 15S names signed to the
petition out of 1S6 teachers employed. No
principals names were attached, but a
prominent teacher from Madison school
explained the absence of their names in
this way:
"a committee of ladies' from several
of the schools called upon Major Capers
on the 31st of October, in regard to the
movement. He told US that he could do
nothing personally, but recommended that
we bring the matter before the School
Board. We were under the impression
that the School Board met on the follow
ing Monday night, and in our hurry to
get the petition ready, we did not have
a chance to get the signatures of the
principals. They ate, however In favor
Of the movement. One principal did write
his endorsement on a slip Of paper and
pin it to the petition. but it was lost in
handling
How Salaries Range.
In the eleven white public schools of the
city, there are 1856 teachers employed.
not counting those upon the supply"
list The. salary paid during the first
year is $s3 month. The second year
it is raised to $40, and from the third, year
on the salary is based on the grade
taught. This%ra,iges from $45 ito s55 a
month, and it must be taken into con-
sideration that the teachers salary con-
tinues but nine months of the year. The
salary of supply teacher is 81 per day
The public school teachers are the
poorest paid class of city employees.
taking into consideration the knowledge
and training that is required said
teacher last night. Even the day labor
ersE receive more for their services. Most
Of US are sulf-supporting. and many Of us
have the support of others upon US as
we'll. The cost of living has increased
20 per cent. within the past two years
and many of us find it difficult to get
along on our slender salaries
Would Take $4,000 More.
It is stated that the amount now paid
the teachers by the city, per annum, Is
in round figures, s125O00. An increase of
20 per cent. would mean an additional
$4,000 year for this purpose.
Many seem to think that the teachers
are entitled to larger salaries. They have
been among The most loyal employees of
the city, and 1t will be remembered that
some years ago, when the city had no
money to pay their salaries, they con-
tinued at their posts during an interval
IF some months without any recompense
whatever. and for this they have never
oeen reimbursed.
The male teachers at the ,1gh school
lid not sign the petition. 1t is understood
hat their salaries have lately been in
creased.
1t is alleged that the salaries paid to
he teachers of Richmond are now nearly
he smallest of any city of the same popu-
alton, amount o. property taxed, and rate
II taxa ton.