The sun., 1909-05-30
NEW JERSEY TEACHERS ACT.
Attempt to Evade New Law Causes First
special Meeting OF Association.


The first special meeting of the New
Jersey state Teachers Association in the
fifty-six years Of its existence was held
Yesterday afternoon at Elks' Hall. York
and Henderson streets, Jersey City. at
which over 600 school ma ans and men
teachers listened to addresses inspired
by the action Of certain boards Of educa-
ton throughout the State in trying To
dodge the operation Of the new teachers
tenure Of office act which becomes effec.
tive on September 10y arbitrarily dis
pensing with the services Of teachers.
some of whom are nearing their time for
retirement, and compelling those who are
eligible for reappointment to take new
examinations.
City Superintendent of Schools Henry
Snyder of Jersey City in an address Of
welcome said: We must work for higher
qualifications and for better work in the
schools. II boards Of education do not
pay high salaries they can not get the best
teachers. We benefit ourselves by in
sisting that the standards must be raised. :
Ebenezer Mackey. supervising principal
Of the Trenton schools and president OF
the association, said- We emphatically
deny that We are defending incompetent
teachers. We are loyal to the boards Of
education. but the association must safe
guard what 1t has gained"
Prof. Chadwick Of Paterson said: The
new law will emancipate every teacher
from fear and trembling in the spirit, and
every sensible school board should re-
joice that it will not be possible to dis
charge a teacher without a hearing
Assemblyman Edward T. Moore OF
Da tarspD said that IL fantlre of 0hica is
right for war veterans, policemen, fire.
men and officials protected by the civil
service act it is surely right for teachers.
Miss Elizabeth A. Allen Of Hoboken
said that in view Of the reports that since
the passage of the new law boards were
and demanding designations the State
association could not do less than to take
steps to protect its members.
On motion Of James T.. Bryan. superin
tendent Of the Camden schools the fol-
lowing resolution was unanimously
adopted:
Be it resolved. That We. the mem bers
OF the New Jersey State Teachers Associ-
alton. in special convention assembled.
take this first opportunity officially to ex-
press our gratiflcation at the enactment
OF a teachers tenure law and to place upon
record our hearty appreci iation OF the service
bers of the Senate and Assembly in secur-
ing the passage OF the bill in the Legisla-
ture and by his EHcelency Gov. Fort in
giving to the hill his Official signature.
That with freedom from the anXieties
incident to an uncertain tenure and with
professional rights protected by law We
pledge ourselves to increased devotion
and Undivided attention to the best inter-
ests Of the public schools.
That the association does not stand for
the defence of incompetent or ineflcient
teachers or for any interference with boards
OF education in the performance Of their
manifest duties: but it does deprecate the
dismissal OF efficient teachers without a
hearing and without Just cause. especially
those who are nearing he time OF retirement,
That the association approves the action
Of the executive committee in the employ
ment OF LEGAL counsel and authorizes the
committee to make such further expendi-
lures for this purpose as may be necessary.