New-York tribune., 1907-06-18
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
URGES WOMEN TEACHERS TO COMBINE
Ezra A. Tuttle Offers $1,000 Toward Fund
to Continue Fight for Equal Pay.

To the Editor of The Tribune
Sir; 1 see by the daily papers that the Board Of
Educat1on is preparing to have investigation of
the alleged use of funds raised by the women
teachers to assist in obtaining legislation give
rendered, l also some strong language used
regarding the improper of funds and the neg
iect OF duty on the part of the women teachers. 1
have also read Governor Hughes's veto message-a
most remarkable piece OF reasoning
want to enter protest against what / deem
gross injustice toward the women teachers. and
also want TO protest against that form of equity
ana Justice which is based upon the doctrine that
might makes right Oh mighty man. il is hard
70 surrender the prerogative of beating woman!
Time was when men could not only beat and
enslave. but could also kill, women While that
may not be lawful now still adheres to the
refinement of the same principle. and still beats
woman by denying her the right to vote. the right
TO be paid equally with for performing equal
services the right to make a living in some voca-
uons. the right of equality anywhere it nterferes
with mems selfish interests It all amounts to the
seIlsh. cruel inclination of man to beat In
some form.
Observe the reasoning of the Governors mes
sage and 1 have held the Governor in highest
esteem Keeling that he was almost good enough
Democrat but 1t is impossible to give serious re-
gpe't TO MS veto message of the Equal Pay bill.
lie denies justice and equity TO some thousands Of
women teachers In greater New York because,
iorsooth. all the women teachers throughout the
sue nurses and attendants in other public or
puosi -puoiic institutions did not join in the re-
quest Tor justice and equity and that by signing
me bll he would net administer justice and equity
TO everybody alike.
Consider, only for q moment how futile an
EFFORT would nave been by teachers In small COM
munties to have secured legislation ON this sinh
Ject ana consider what hue and cry would have
been raised II the teachers Of New York
Clty had endeavored to organize tho women teach
ers oil the state, as we'll other female workers,
TO have them join in effort to secure equal pay
Tor equal services II Is rarely that universal JUS
nee is done by any act of legislation, but If a
ialse measure or Justice and right be accomplished
ny single act of legislation II is no valid bjec-
ton that 1t is not universal in it's operation
NOW come to the proposed threatened action
OK our highly developed Board of Education. Is
there a man on that board who honestly believes
that the teachers Of this CITY have used
money improperly 10 influence legislation in their
behalf? If so. let him who is without fault cast
the first stone. I doubt If any man IN this COM
munity believes that any person, threatening sus-
pensions dismiSsals of the women teachers be-
cause they sought to obtain justice and fair treat
ment. would hesitate refrain from using methods
ana means Tar less defensible than used by the
women teachers to accomplish any selfish purpose
for gain or advancement.
Many years ago. poor boy, I attended and
was graduated from one Of tho normal schools of
this state, and afterward taught school for several
years. believe I know something of the char
aCter and ability OF women teachers. I believe in
nine posluons OUT OF ten the average woman
teacher will do better work than the average man
teacher. believe tire women teachers TO he the
most poorly paid and poorly appreciated public
servants IN this country. l believe also that the
men teachers are not properly paid or appre-
cated, but ! despise the teachers of this
city in far they have shown a selfish.
greedy and unmanly opposition to the equal pay
bill DO not often care to express my feel
ings In IA letter to a newspaper, but I feel
bitterly indignant the injustice and op-
preston that have been disclosed IN connection
with this equal pay matter that ! cannot refrain
from recommending to the teachers OF this city
and this state that they organize at once, in this
city and throughout the state, that they may
meet the welghty objections of Governor S
veto message and also that they may no longer
have TO beg for common justice and fair dealing.
but so that they may stand erect and demand and
secure their rights in this matter I Will gladly
contribute 5000 to fund to be used to defray
the necessary cxDense OF nm organization OF the
women teachers OF this city and state to the end
that they may compel poor, selfish greedy man
TO give them what Il their right, and what If
deCeuCy prevailed. would be given them without
waiting for the enactment OF law.
am rank outsider. I have absolutely per-
sonal interest In this contest. bu, believe 1t Is
tAA that decent men IN this city rallied to the
SUPPORT OF women teachers when all they ask is
fair treatment and the application OF simple Justice
and equity. Very truly yours.
New York, June IL. 1901. EZRA A FUTILE.