The Saint Paul globe., 1905-01-10
NEWS OF THE CITY
URGE MERIT SYSTEM
FOR THE TEACHERS
School Principals Advocate and
Attack the Plan at Their
Meeting

The merit system for the promotion
of teachers, which is followed in Chi
cago and other cities, was advocated
and attacked at meeting of the school
principals in the rooms Of the board of
school inspectors yesterday afternoon.
The system was suggested by Prof
Hiram w. Slack, of the Edmund Rice
school, as schedule on which the SAL
aries of the teachers could be made to
depend. He submitted a preliminary
report which, when completed, will be
handed to the school board
Miss Margaret Lennon, principal Of
the Mckinley school, spoke unfavor-
ably of the merit system and said she
knew from experience that it did not
prove satisfactory to the teachers. She.
said that as it depended upon reports
from Superintendents and principals
teachers were frequently treated un-
justly, and that unworthy ones often
secured advantages which they did not
deserve.
The report will be submitted to each
principal, who will consult each teach
er under his or her jurisdiction and the
question will be more fully considered
at a meeting which will be held Feb. 6.
Urges Merit System
After calling attention to the in
creased demands made upon, teachers,
and the greater cost of education and
living, Prof. Slack said that the merit
system, by which fitness alone would
govern in the selection and promotion
of teachers, should be tried in ST Paul
and his report urged the board of
school inspectors to give it a trial.
An objection to the system is to be
found in the increased cost, as the ag-
gregate salaries would no doubt be
somewhat Increased by. the proposed
plan, said Prof. Slack 1T would
seem, however, that if salaries are low
there is all the more need that selec-
tive process be put III operation to
guard against the leveling down tend
ency likely to set in everywhere -
1t Is not so much a question of the
gross amount to be expended in SAL
aries as for the just distribution of
that amount. The chief consideration
which We urge is that with increased
power in the individual teacher there
should come the increase in salary The
mental and spiritual power of our
teachers is the measure of efficiency
In our educational work. We insist
that every effort on the part of any in
dividual connected with our teaching
force should receive instant and proper
recognition 1t cannot be said that
such is the case with either assistants
principals or high school teachers
Other Cities Pay Teachers More
Prof. Slack compared the schedules
of eight cities including Minnea polls,
with those of ST. Paul and found that
in every case, except that of Rochester,
N. Y, the aggregate salary per teacher
is more than in st. Paul. In two others,
Omaha and Milwaukee, the minimum is
the same as ST. Paufs, in every other
| 1t is higher. The period through which
increase of salary is allowed varies
from six to sixteen yeafs;siin two cases,
Philadelphia and New York, the annual
Increment is $50 and $40 respectively.
In general the annual increment he
said seemed to be $50 and the period
of increase six years Immediately sue
ceeding the appointment of the teacher.
Miss Lennon read partial report on
the tenure of office of teachers but dis
cussion Was deferred until the next
meeting. She contended that teachers
should not be elected annually, but
should retain their places as long as
they serve faithfully