The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-01-03
800 TEACHERS
MEET IN OGDEN
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continued from rage ],
1--WE are told that the school teacher. as
a composite, is theoretical but eminent
" impractical creatuFe--a species Of a
genus homo somewhat akin to the long
haired poet, or the attenuated philosopher,
wholly unworthy of recognition on the
same monetary basis as the ordinary pro-
fessonal or artisan. They are generous
enough TO say that the everyday con-
verse and attrition Of inferior minds have
made us so; that we are not altogether
to blame for our lamentable condition
since IL is in the nature CT our work and
an inevitable consequence of it, Yet they
send their children to us TO be educated.
There are at least two primary requis-
ties in the manufacture of a finished
product-a skilled workman and suitable
tools. The first of these factors is by far
the greater.
ct is a we'll known fact that the cost of
living in this country is at present from
% to 80 per cent higher than it was ten
years ago; that wages in nearly every
branch of commercial or professional ac-
tivity. from the common laborer to the
president of a corporation, have advanced
i'm a like degree The school teacher alone
has looked on all these years with sort
OF dumb complacency and patience born
Of the calling, hoping, perchance, tnat
some crumbs at least might fall from this
table of national prosperity, but, alas, in
vain.
Best Are Leaving.
'The best material is leaving our ranks
TO engage in other emDloyments, which
will ensure, at least. decent competency
for the present, with some provision Tor
the future.
This depletion is not made good by 4
corresponding increase in number or re-
cruits for there is no inducement otner
| than that OF the doubtful satisfaction
that may come from a life of self-sacri-
/ flee The supply of good teachers Is pc
coming smaller year by year. ana TINS
deficit will be more apparent IN the I'M
L hoe hoo
past. unless steps are taken to counteract
| this deteriorating influence. There should
be an adequate remuneration 10 the teach-
/ or for his work. This could be brought
about by a gradual raise in the teacnerS
! salaries coincident with gradual ad-
vancement OF proficiency.
Wants Retirement Fund.
''There should be provided retirement
fund for teachers This latter suggestion
was not fathered by the so-called Ostler
| theory, but has its reason for existence
| i'm the necessities Of the case The tax
] levy for school purposes should De mace
higher. The legislature alone can 40 TINS;
| and so il becomes matter of educated
/ public sentiment Ii wouldn't be bad
| idea to get into politics q little There
are many worse things III poullcs toudy
| than the school teacher.
! 1.-The retirement fund should be consid-
I cred alongside of and part OF adequate
compensation. This is not theory, tor
/ in several states ana cues az Weti as ~
Germany. Great Britain, France ana other
! European countries. the pension system II
| in practical operation. As states IN this
country where successful pension iegisia-
| tion has been enacted, may be mentioned
| New York. Massachusetts. New Jersey,
| Ohio. Illinois and California.
s.As TO what constitutes the retirement
/ fund for teachers in these cities, that or
New York will afford q good iiIustr re oI.
/ In the year 1903 the distribution of an
nuities amounted TO $42OO26-s9' or SoS,-
255.32 less than the income
Bostonian Advocates Pensions.
principal Frederick Allison Upper of
the Brighton High school. Boston, in an
| excellent article on a Retirement Fund
| for Teachers, says:
LAS the welfare of the children is the
| supreme law OF the school, and as the
pension system promotes the efficiency of
the teaching force, il is evident that the
welfare of the children. largely dependent
| as it is on the efficiency of the teaching
force, demands this system
! This sentence Is the sum and substance
of it all. The greatest good of every child.
I'm most cities of our land today the jan
itor of the school receives salary far IN
excess of that of the average teacher"
On the Introduction of the visiting ed
| ucators each one made brief talk. Miss
Arnold making an especially good I'M
preston with her ready address and pleas
ing personality Mr. Cooley followed with
a few words on the duties OF the teachers
to the public especially in preparing chill
dren for practical life. Professor Bel
also spoke briefly.
The greetings over the following com
mittees were appointed:
Constitution and By-laws-State super
intendent a. G. Nelson. superintendent l.
T.. Eggertsen of Springville, Professor J.
A Brown of Logan.
Enrolment (to act with the secretary
Miss Jennie Lund OF ogden. Miss ElleT
Baker of Ogden.
ons-Superintendent w. s Raw
lings of Provo Principal +. b. Keller 81
Salt Lake. Principal G. V. Decker Of Ce
dar City.