The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-02-19
Teachers Pensions.


Editor of The virginian.
Str,-Statistics show that less than
one~fifth of the teachers in Virginia
Will even apply FOR pensions. II this
Is true, has our LegislatlIre the right
to force the other four-hfths to sub
scribe to an insurance society from
which they never expect to derive any
benefit? Is 1t a small matter" to
rob 5000 teachers of the right to
think and act for themselves? One
per cent. OF annual salary Is a small
matter" If the teachers agree to pay
1t, but the training of individual
thinkers will not be successfully ac-
complished by persons who are not
allowed to exercise freedom of
thought. The State should encourage
it's teachers to build characters strong
in personality and initiative, instead
of discouraging these traits.
IFS, 9e--teaehers do not care to
donate l per cent. of their salaries
for five years to pension, less than O.,
600 teachers. should we brand this
large class as not good enough to
, train the youth of Virginia? The
benefit to retired teachers is accept
able, but some. teachers prefer to buy
real insurance, and bee Use of their
choice they should not be, made sub
y
qualified to teach Justice. economy
truth. individuality. perseverance and
other qualities which go to make up
a good citizen as the teacher who IA
vors this pension business,
Any bill urged by petitions signed
upon request, and endorsed by high
officials, is not necessarily representa-
tive. A committee of the State Teach
ers' Association. which did not sub
nit a report to the organization at its
business session for approval, should
not govern the policy of the associa-
ton. No action was taken by the
State association In Its business ses-
sion last November in regard to PEN
sioning teachers. The majority of
teachers In the State are in favor of
longer terms. and better schoolhouses.
but are opposed to any law that VIII
diminish their small salaries.
The public should know how many
teachers are receiving pensions.
amount of money received from all
sources for pensions and amount dis
bursed before $4,000 Is appropriated
annually to this fund by the Legisla-
ture. According to the United States
Bureau of Education report for 1907
Massachusetts has three societies for
the benefit of retired teachers. organ
lied and conducted by the teachers
themselves. Massa chusetts pays her
teachers an annual salary of S66,7S,
and Virginia pays sass, but is try-
ing to pension her teachers.
Massachusetts ran her schools 1877
days, Rhode Island 1914 days and Vir-
ginia 1874 days. session 19061S01. The
number OF children attending school
daily for each 100 enrolled in 1906
1907. Massachusetts was Sls2. for
Rhode Island IS and for Virginia
5955 So we should realize that even
If pensions are good for Massdchu-
sets or Rhode Island, Ii does not fol
low that they are good for Virginia
We should use all available money to
lengthen our school term and build
and equip modern houses The time
for the State to care for disabled
teachers has not yet arrived, and
Hope the House OF delegates VIII moi
appropriate any money for this pur-
pose. but add the amount suggested
to the appropriation for the gram
mar schools.
Very truly yours.
c. w. DICKINSON. JR..
Superintendent of schools. Cumber-
land and Goochland counties.
February II.