The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1911-08-04
PENSION MATTER
is TURNED DOWN
Resolution to Aid Mrs. j. p
Elmer Defeated 225 to ITO.
LABoRING MEN OPPOSED IDEA
Only Speech in Opposition to Measure
Made by s. A. Richmond-J. @. Estey
and @. O. Fits Spoke In Favor Of
Resolution offered by Former.


Resolution offered by Former.
The incorporated school district of Brat
tleboro at special school meeting Tues
day evening in the high school room went
strongly on record as opposed to service
pensions for school teachers. As less than
90 votes were cast on this question at the
regular school meeting in July special
meeting was called and the voters oi
the district urged to attend. The resoli
ton authorizing the granting OF pension
10 Mrs. j. =. Elmer was defeated by vote
of 225 to 10. An appeal made by Scion
A. Richmond to workngmen was doubtless
instrumental in defeating the resolution
offered by Col. j, G. Estey.
The meeting was called TO order a few
minutes after s oclock by Moderator Henry
ID. Holton and Clerk Will B. Smith read
the warning. Col. Estey in presenting al
resolution referred briefly to the debt OF
gratitude which he felt the district owed
Mrs. Elmer. The resolution was rs follows
Be it hereby resolved, That, under the
authority of Act No GIG of 1910 and the
unanimous recommendation of our pru-
dental committee pension of $40 year
be granted Mrs. Stella s. Elmer ON account
of her faithful and efficient services as a
teacher in the Brattleboro high school eX.
tending over period OF more than %
years.
Mr.. Richmond. the only spokesman for
the opposition referred TO the disposal OF
similar resolution at the regular school
meeting. He said that the complaint was
made after the meeting that the number
of voters in attendance, less than w, dld
not constitute fair representation and ac-
cordingly special meeting had been called.
He referred to the disposal of other ar
ticles in the warrent at the regular meeting
and said that in their case no complaint
had been made regarding the number OF
voters present. Then he proceeded to dis
cuss the resolution introduced by Col rs
tey, He said that undergrad teachers are
result of the supply exceeding the 'ie-
mand To grant service pensions to teach
ers would be to reduce their salaries, Mr..
Richmond contended He said that if the
inducement could be held out that the dis
| trict would take care of teachers IN Their
| old age salaries would he of less concern
than al present and would doubtless be re.
| duced in consequence of the ability of the
village TO promise a service pension. He
said that if the teachers do not get enough
pay they should be paid more. lie made
an appeal to workingmen TO keep taxes
down and said that while it had been con
/
| Mrs. Elmer would entail burden of only
two cents or such a matter upon poll tax
payer there were many other small taxes,
''the cost of a postage stamp, which were
borne by the poll tax payer. He closed
/ by urging the voters not to make pension
| bureau of Brattleboro and the applause
which greeted his remarks indicated that
| he had strong following.
Clarke c. Fits said that he was sorry
| the question had been made one of classes
by Mr.. Richmond. Mr.. Fits said that the
tention in the meeting as the a business
man. He said he took exception to the
statement that teachers worked simply
for '.the money there is in it, Mr.. Fits
then took up the principle of the matter
under discussion and said that ii was a
simple question of progress and develop
ment and a question which all Brattleboro
people ought to be interested in. He was
greeted with applause as he referred to
Brattleboro's old schoolmaster, Benjamin
| f. Bingham, as an example of an under
paid teacher Mr. Fits said that had Mr..
Bingham lived few years longer he would
| have become an object of charity though
| he had given the best years of his life to the
| instruction of the boys and girls of Brat
tleboro. Mr.. Fits said that while profes
sional people should be able to amass a
competency during their vigorous years i
is well known that this is not true with
salaried people. He said that the teachers
| life is life of public service and necessarily
imposes tax upon the public such as the
Estey resolution proposed to pay. Mr..
| Fits said it was in no way question OF
charity but one of principle and the time
had arrived for Brattleboro to state her
position in this matter In closing he said
it was not matter of dollars and cents
| but one of progress and enlightenment;
Brattleboro was confronted with question
\ intimately associated with the development
i and progress of the town
| Principal f. Burr Smith spoke briefly in
support of the resolution. He prefaced his
remarks by saying that it would be "a
years before the district would have to
discuss his case from pension standpoint.
speech made and said it was vote in the
interest Of progress to vote yes for the
resolution. Mr.. Smith referred to the
movement started by the women teachers
of the state to establish pension fund,
and said in closing IF you vote down this
resolution you take the heart out of u.s."
referring to the rest of the teaching force
of the district Mr. Richmond called for
a ballot and the chair appointed as clerks
of the checklist w. A. Subway O. B.
Hughes, c. g. Staples and II. B. Chamber
lain. The voting occupied about half an
hour H. G.. Barber, G. C. Fits, j. G..
Estey, j. E. Leach, S. A. Richmond and
| Fl. p. Webster were appointed tellers.
There were 225 "No" votes against 40
"Yes'' and the resolution was lost. There
was no further business and the meeting
adjourned.