Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1910-09-10
SCHOOL TEACHERS
COMMEND WORK
OF Ex-G0v. STOKES
His influence in Educational Al.
fairs Has Been for Good,
One Says.
Especial to the Newark Star.

Especial TO the newark start
TRENTON, Sept. 10.-The first pub
lie office held by former Governor Ed
ward C. Stokes was that of superin-
tendent OF schools of Millville, and II
vas therefore. entirely natural that all
through his public career he should
take a lively interest in the cause of
public education. Several times dur-
ing his present campaign for the
United States senatorship under the
direct-primary plan he has taken &C.
casion in his speeches TO point to his
legislative and gubernatorial records
upon the Republican party for sup
port, but he has not spoken specifically
Of his work in the interest of the pub
lie schools. During much of the time
thai Governor Stokes was active as a
Legislator and as governor In advanc-
ing the efficiency of the schools of the
State, Miss Elizabeth A. Allen, of Ho-
boken, has been an earnest worker in
che same cause, and there IS probably
no one in the State better qualified to
know and tell of Governor Stokes's
efforts and cooperation with the educa-
tional workers.
Miss Allen was in this city for a
short time yesterday in connection
with her duties as a trustee of the
State Teachers Retirement Fund, and
was asked concerning Governor
C%o1.ac,s u,orlr For fho oahOn1c and tho
school teachers, as it is recognized by
those close to the States educational
system. She said:
Retirement Fund Bill.
mi. Stokes was a member of the
Senate committee on education in 1885
in charge of the Teachers Retirement
Fund bill. He instantly, recognizing
Its educational value. as we'll as Its
merciful intent, declared himself in
warm sympathy with the measure, and
gave it his intelligent and untiring
support. Senator Stokes's committee
reported the bill f~avorably. 1t became
a part of New Jerseys public school
system; has already paid $3.50, 900 to
| aged and ineapacitated teachers out of
q fund contributed entirely by the
teachers themselves In the shape of a
percentage of their salaries; is now
paying benefits amounting to more
than 800, 900 a year, and has accumu-
lated a surplus of upward Of $500. 600
The significance of the foregoing will
be better comprehended when 1t is
known tina in other States such funds
are supplied wholly or m large part by
the people.
Ten years later, it was Governor
Stokes who approved a bill making a
small appropriation to pay the admin
i~strative expenses of the fund, so that
every rent contributed by the teachers
might go into the annuity account. II
is not too much to say hat the Teach
ers' Retirement Fund, by relieving the
schools in this humane manner OF
teachers of impaired efficiency is con-
trihuted vastly and In a constantly In
creasing degree to the efficiency Of
New jerseys public school SYSTEM
WAS not Governor Stokes active in
the interest of the teachers tenure OF
service bill?' Miss Allen was asked.
Tenure of Service Act.
Before answering that question:
Miss Allen said. II would like to give
a word of explanation as to what ten
ure Of service is. The person who as
pires to be a teacher is required &c