The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1905-11-03
To Pension Teachers.

al educational re-awakenins ii wa
not be forgotten that, after all, the
7 teacher is the school, and that, while
7 beautiful buildings and fine appara-
tus are necessary, the paramount need
Of the school is the teacher.
A good teacher, as other good things
cost money, and the state does not at
present pay lis teachers anything like
adequate salaries. Many things have
entered into this question Of teachers
salaries, notably public opinion, the
Ian Of supply and demand, and other
economic problems.
This being trse, it seems but AN act
Of Justice that the state shouldpension
those who have worn ont their lives in
its service.
In some instances teachers are re-
tanned in service because the pWlic
admits the pitifulness ofturning adrift
a WORKOUT but faithful servant who
has not received during the term OF
service. sufficient renHnerati III to have
rendered it possible for even the most
provident to lay by enough to make
her independent in old age.
In every such case the injustice is
two-fold; to the child, who Is entitled
to the best and nothing short Of il; to
the teacher. who has a right to feel
that the government will not cast of
and forsake her when she can work
no longer
Again. the advantage to tine state
from the greater efficiency of body
Of teachers whose minds would, To
some extent be relieved from excessive
anxiety for the future can scarcely be
oyer-estimaied.
Further, a pension system, 10y
assurance If provision for old age
would tend To elevate the profession
Of teaching 10y attracting able mem and
women and retaining them during ei-
nciency.
Many Of the higher institutions Of
learning have felt the need OF freeing
the mind Of the teacher from care a.
to his future and have begun To pen
sion their profession.
Mr.. Carnegie, in his recent gift Of a
fund for pensioning college professors
recognizes this need.
Germany, which admittedly has
the best schools in the world, has pen
stoned her teachers for more than a
hundred years, and Mr.. Chas. Francis
Adams used to say, "The German
teacher, are the school masters Of the
world
In 1891, the National Educational
Association passed a resolution recon-
mending "the enactment Of a law In
the several states to permit and regu-
late the retirement aud pensioning OF
professional teachers. '
Since, many states and cities have
adopted a system Of pensioning their
teachers. New Jersey having the
honor Of being the first state in the
! Union to pass such law. California
and Maryland pension all theiryeIeran
public school teachers. Massachusetts,
Rhode Island, New York, Pennsyl-
vania. Michigan, Delaware, South
Carolina, Ohio, Illinois and the Dis
trict Of Columbia pension the teachers
Of their large cities.
We appeal to the friends Of educa-
ton and especially the good teachers
i'm the state not to let tnCir enthusiasm
die with the inspiring words Of our
monument educators who have ,oably
conducted the May Campaign for edu-
cation, but to let it take the practical
form Of urging upon the candidates
for election to the State Legislature
the need for the passage Of this bill.
In no other practicable way can so
much be done 70 advance the quality
of teaching and promote the efficiency
Of the profession and in no other way
can il be done with so small an outlay
Of money.
The following words Of Supt. Thos.
NJ. Ballet, formerly Of Springfield,
Mass, now Dean Of the New York
School OF Pedagogy, express most
politely the need Of pensioning teach
ers:
~ pension system, in my judg-
ment, would draw much higher
grade Of talent into the profession.
There is nothing but the love OF the
work and the opportunity Of doing
good that can tempt a man or woman
OF first rate ability to take il up a. a
life work. While this fact is not al
together an unmixed evil, it is farfrom
being an unmlxed good. Good salaries,
better social recognition, peumanency
OF tenure, and a certainty Of being
above want after years Of efficient ser
vice are over, are the only means by
which such talent can be secured for
this work. Permanently Of tenureand
a pension amer stated period Of ef-
6cient service are secured by law in
all European countries that have made
marked advance in education. They
must be so secured here if our schools
are to be made equal with the best
schools Of Europe"
Endorsed by the Richmond Educa-
ton Association, May 1905, and by
the state Teachers Association, Char
lottesville, July 1905. The measure
is to be framed by the delegates, one
from each Congressional District
These delegates are to be appointed
bv the President OF the state Teachers
Association. Provisions Of the meas