Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1909-02-11
TEACHERS FIGHT
Fur THEIR RIGHTS.
Urge Passage of Bill Giving Them
Protection Equal to That of
Policemen.

4
| guments were presented by the OPP
ponents and supporters of the tenure
of Office bill, drawn by DIR. William
! A. Vented, of Trenton, and Prof
Ebenezer Mackey, which provides that
school teachers; principals, superin-
tendents and supervisors, after serv-
ing three years probationary per-
iod, may not be dismissed without a
hearing and upon just cause, nor may
their salaries be reduced, the bill be-
! ing practically the same as introduced
/ last year.
The hearing was attended by promi-
! nent educators from all parts of the
/ State, and large delegation of Tren-
ton school teachers were
/ applaud the addresses of Samuel H.
Bullock, of the Board of Education,
who was the first speaker in support
of the bill, and Professor Ebenezer
Mackey, supervising principal of the
Trenton schools.
Assemblyman Rathburn, of Passaic
introduced the speakers.
| In beginning his address, Commits
sioner Bullock stated that the bill en-
bodies the rule adopted by the Tren-
| ton Board of Education, which re-
quires that no teacher may be dis
missed without having been given an
opportunity of being heard. He said
that the average efficient school teach
er is often harrassed by unfounded
thoughts of dismissal, and that this
needless worry hampered her in her
school work, while it often occurred
that glaringly inefficient teachers
| were not disturbed by thoughts of dis
missal because they felt secure in
merely pleasing the social and poll
tical leaders of the community
Mr.. Bullock stated that it would be
almost impossible to obtain represen-
tative men to serve as members of
the Trenton Board of Education if
| it were the custom here to drop teach
| ers for social and political reasons.
He argued that the bill should be
enacted into law because it caused
| meritorious teachers to cease worry
ing about their positions. He said
that the Trenton Boards rule, giving
teachers a right to hearing before
dismissal, has never been taken ad-
vantage of, and that he remembered
recent years.
Wants Teachers to Have Same Rights
as Police.
Professor A f. Chadwick, of Pater-
son, speaking in favor of the bill, said
that New Jersey would never rid it.
self of inefficient teachers unless bet
ter educational conditions and larger
salaries would attract teachers of
ability. He argued that the passage
of the bill would in a great measure
better conditions in the educational
field, because it would give school
teachers standing in law equal to
the legal protection given to civil SER
vice employees, firemen and policemen
in their position.
"Of all professions and employ
ments, the teacher alone is kept in
state of nervous trepidation,' he said.
Overnight action often occurs and
teacher is discharged. If you would
treat us as having a pride in our pro-
fession instead of in the dollars that
it affords; if you wish us to build up
your schools without our minds be-
ing harrassed and our activities ham
pered, give us freedom and the power
to think. We simply ask to be pro-
tected against the hasty acion of peo-
pie who may not know what they are
doing. Principals have their troubles
with teachers who have pull pro-
tect the principal as well as the teach
err"
Professor H. C. Krebs, superinten-
dent of heSomerset county schools,
was subjected to considerable interro-
cation by Assemblyman Martin and
McKeag when he argued that one of
the main benefits of the bill was to
get rid of inefficient teachers
Professor Krebs stated that the bill
would be particularly beneficial to
the teachers in the rural districts
where boards of education dismiss her
by allowing her position to lapse. The
bill would compel boards to take af-
firmative action in dismissing teach
er instead of Withholding her reap
pointment, as is now the custom.
Professor H. M. Maxson, superin-
tendent of the Plainfield schools, stat
led a teacher serving for a number
of years has an equity in the Teachers
thousands of dollars, and he argued
that it would be the height of injus-
tice if this equity should be Destroyed
by the summary action of board of
education
This bill will protect the equity
of the teachers of New Jersey" he
said. IF the State law demands that
a teacher must join the retirement
Fund, another State law should pro-
tect her rights under the former law.
speaker If he knew of an efficient
teacher who was discharged.
i do not personally know of such
a case. do know that the teachers
of Plainfield are worried each year
until they receive reappointment, and
the most worried teachers are gener-
ally the most efficient.
If school superintendent is not
in sympathy with his board, should
he be discharged, even If he is effici-
emit" asked Mr.. Martin.
[Continued on Fourth Pagel