Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-12-13

PMAS WAS bIOuSdL up US1UIC tue. OOATQ Of education last evening for final ac- tion, by Commissioner Larkin, it's sponsor, moving its adoption. Com missioner Mcdonald inquired if there was any concerted opposition to the bill and he was informed by Superin- tendent Tinker that there was not
 Commissioners Chapman said he knew one teacher who Is opposed tc ' the bill, but she has been teaching only one year.
 | Commissioner Wooster said that some taxpayers had an idea that it would be a costly mattersto to them, tt which Commissioners LariSin said that so far as the taxpayers are concerned, or will be concerned, 1t will not cost them a cent. that in fact the bill makes the pension fund self support ing
 I Commissioner Lawior said that sec tion three of the bill depriYes teacn- CTS of their salary for time lost, but docs not affect the principals or su- perintesaccnt in that way for any time tlley might lose.
 Comnissioner Grfggs replied to this, saying that the superintendent and principals can do their work duy- ing or after school whereas if q teacher is i'll or away from duty. Tor any, reason, a substitute is put in her place and the city is so much at a JOSS.
 Commissioner Phe m asked if a principal is out day is not the school at a loss just as much as when a teacher Is out; Commissioner PheIan took this view ot the case also. This evoked some discussion as to the du- ties of teachers and of principals and thnfr pay.
 Commissioners Phelan: 'I notice that when principal or a supefln- tendent loses much time he is drop ped out very quietly later on.',
 Commissioner Griggs, smiling: That is generally the solution of such behavior. If such an official does not do then as is required, if he does not seize reasonable opportunity. he is dropped"
 Commissioner Larkin moved that the pill De referred to the city attor- ney, and that if he found no errors In It. he send 1t on to the board of aI- dermen, and that this body instruct ttte city attorney to push 1t at Hart I ford f0~ an ue cags
 Commissioner Lawlor asked would I It not be q good idea to- have the bill be endorsed ny the board Of edtica. < ton first. Commissioner Larkin was agreeable to the suggestion, but Com missioner Wooster would have 1t frst go to the city attorney and that he send 1t back to the board with it's in- accuracies, If 1t had any, corrected. Commissioner Larkin said his idea of having 1t go before the board of l aldermen was that the public might be fully informed on 1t. The board did not see 1t that way, however I Commissioners Lawlor asked why was the line Of limitation drawn 1t thirty years service, or disahlement before that period Commissions J.arkin replied that the line had to be drawn somewhere, and Commissioners Griggs said the bill did not provide for accident, only for old age; that the bill could not very well provide for teachers disabled after a short term of service, say i've years or so. "This Is not charity bill, remember" said he. ''but if a teacher came near to the pension age, and she became disabled, why the board could fix matters SO that she could be pensioned."
 Then you mean the bill could be amended ?' asked Commissioner Phe- Ian.
 "No. said Commissioners GrIggs, but the board could give her leave of absence or do something to get over the difficulty. It could easily be done.''
 Commissioners LarSin reminded the board that only q short time ago a teacher was off duty for a whole year and that there is practical instance of the proposed pension bill now in force In the schools.
 Commissioner Larkin repeaterl his motion. that is, that the 1nill he aGIopt- ed and sent to thA City attorDey for his approval, and thence to the board of aldermen and thence 10 the Iegis- Iature In the care of tho city attorney. The motion was carried by vote of three to two. Commissioner Mellon aid not voting. Commissioner TarKin and Superintendent Tinker were ap- pointed committee to represent the bill before the hoard of aldermen.
 The bill proposing to change the manner of electinc or selecting rlle members of the hoard of education was then taken up. Commissioner Mcdonald moved that the measure be reflected. and his motion was second ed by Commissioner Phelan.
 Commissioner Mcdonald said his reasons for making the motion were that he was not in favor of any bill that would tend to denrive tlle people of their just right. He said there have haen changes enoN9h. The ueo- ule have great interests ip the schools. and in the board of education and if the manner of elRcting the board was changed that interest would be de- stroyed and the people would not be properly represented in the board.
 Commissioner Larkin replied that the idea was not to take anything from the neople. hut to protect the schools The present method of se- lectins the board of education brings entirely new men in charge of the de- partment of education at almost ev- cry election Irtellieealt action saves the citv. and the schools do not get the benefit from new members that they do from old members. If one half the board were chosen at one lime and the other half at another