The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-12-26

struggles made by noble men and women
of the State during the early years of the
teachers of this State who have by their
undaunted courage and loyalty been in-
strumental in placing this fund upon q
basis of equity and stability. Fifty years
ago no one would have dreamed that the
State OF New Jersey would ever enact a
law whereby her teachers might be PEN
stoned. Today we have a thirty-fve years
service law and a State retirement fund
system. the two combined making, without
a doubt, the strongest teachers pension
system in THIS country. me ABOVE has
and purpose. the foundation principles OF
all great undertakings.
Many educational problems and ques-
tions of vital importance to teachers are
still unsolved, and it is only by the united
action of the eleven thousand teachers OF
this State that such problems can be adj
justed. No effective work requiring the
combined efforts of men and women can
be accomplished without organization. Or
ganization produces system, demands
economy of effort, and avoids waste of
time and energy. Organization implies CO.
'"The American people have been exceed
ingly generous in the support of their pub
lie schools. They have given generously
for material equipment. and in the rapid
growth of their cities this equipment has
entailed a heavy burden upon the tax
payers.
THE State of New Jersey assumes a re-
sponsible position in relation TO, its school
system, and to carry out its obligations a
large amount of money is apportioned
year after year to the various districts of
the State. This wise and 1udicious eN-
penditure of money raised by local tax
alton or received from State aid is a
problem that demands on the part OF
boards of education careful and thoughtful
consideration. Whether or not too much
attention has been paid to material equip
ment is a question which we shall not dis
cuss; but 1t is true that in the past too
little consideration has been given to vital
equipment. While a large number of the
people of this State have not been emil
nently practical in the expenditure for
vital equipment, they will ere long realize
that the thoroughly business-like policy
for them TO pursue is to make Ii worth
while for the ablest men and women to
join the teaching profession. Such will be
the case when salaries paid are based upon
efficiency, and efficiency. only. and protec-
ton is assured by wise and %judicious
tenure of office laws.
Tho problem of securing and retaining
efficient teachers confronts every school
superintendent when in need of teachers,
and in orc r that we may be able to COM
pete successfully with the other vacations
offering far more liberal remuneratlons
it will be necessary for us all to eXalt
the profession teaching In such a way that
1t may be placed foremost In the profess
sions. This will not be accomplished through
arbitrary means or dogmatlc principles,
but by unity of purpose and cooperation
ot effort.
''The thirty-hve years service law and
the retirement fund law Of 1907 are both
Just and equitable. Both Of these assure
future protection. Legislative enactment
must in some way guarantee to all faith
full and efficient teachers present protec-
ton.
THE question of tenure of office has
association. The legislative COMMITTEES
has made numerous attempts to secure
the same, but for some cause or another
former efforts have been unsuccessful.
Future efforts Will bear no results unless
the State teachers can unite on some
definite basis and work In unison Tor the
enactment of a just. true and equitable
tenure of office bill. Such legislation
would restore confidence in the profession
and assure to teachers who have been tried
by experience and not found wanting IN.
same and equal protection which TINS
State and the nation assures TO Its worthy
employees through a system OF civil
service.
'"rhe teachers tenure of office should
be safe and depend on efficient work only,
and in no way on political contingency or
social influence. This is a demand which
every fricad of good government and ef-
fcient education will make. A teacher
should be able to give his or her whole
mind to the children without being wor-
ried constantly by thoughts of loss of posi-
ton through some occult influence OF
political upheaval.
1.-THE schools are maintained at a public
expense for the welfare of the children,
and in order that faithful, CONSCIENTIOUS
and efficient teachers may be able TO 40
their work successfully, they should be
protected against the dominating influence
of the politician, the grievances of the
sorehcad or the aVaricions greed OF ire
worthless and inefficient teachers seeking
promotion or social recognition. II must
not be understood that tenure OF once
should apply to teachers who are lneiii-
Client or mere timekeepers. The sooner
the profession is rid Of such t~eachers the
better for ali concerned. Salary paid for
efficiency and protection, granted on aG-
count Of services thus rendered, VIII al
WAYS be regarded as a just recognition OF
an economic problem.
ITO guard the Interests of the pubic
school teachers of this State by means OF
united action is ono of the prerogatives "
this association. TO raise the standard OF
our public school system, to supply condl-
lions for the betterment of the service, TO
elevate the profession in order that We
may draw into it teachers imbued with
the spirit of the Great Teacher himself, to
recognize the true teachers worth to the
community In which he or she is laboring;
these are some Of the problems that can
be adjusted through conference and CO
operation. We need more industrial CO.
operation. more educational cooperation,
and a closer union of the home, the com
munity and the State. After a quarter of
a century of remarkable administrative