Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1912-02-12
TEACHERS SALARIES
School Improvement Association
Adopts Resolutions True Text
of Bill to be introduced.
Mr.. MELVIN'S ADDRESS.
Teachers More Than Ever Before En-
titled to Substantial Increase in
Salary.

a meeting of the School Improve
ment Association of Anne Arunae
County was held at the Court House
on Saturday morning, with an attend,
ance of over Il hundred teachers, trus.
tees, school officials ana others inter
ested in educational work
The principal object of the meet
ing was TO take steps to secure better
pay toi the school teachers, and the
large attendance, in view Of the Sc
verely cold weather. was an evidence
of the great interest which the teach
ers and others manifested in the mat
ter
Mr.. George 7. Melvin, the presi-
dent of the association, i'm calling the
meeting to order said:
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The School Improvement Associa-
tion of Anne Arundel county is al
ways alive to the necessities and ad-
vancement of the public schools, and |
know of no subject, just at this time,
which has greater bearing upon pro-
gresS in public education in this com
munity than that of better nav for
| teachers
These public servants, giving for
| the public benefit in a thousand wavs.
measure of whole-souled devotion
and of extraordinary capacity and
wide-spreading influence that is not
within the province of any other class
| of public servants to give, have too
long been neglected. 1t is not merely
claim they have apon the com
| munity for financial reward for the
purely selfish and material view of
| this subject is alike unworthy of the
taxpayer and the teacher. Instead
of that, it is a reproach to US that
recognition of the duty we owe these
splendid and self-sacrificing men and
women has been so long delayed.
believe the time has now come
when the people of this county can
| no longer afford to continue the par
simonious policy that has obtained in
the matter of teachers salaries. 1t
is true that the State has heretofore
being fully justified because of the
large general contributions made from
the State Treasury to the public
school system of the counties. espec-
tally in Southern Maryland laid down
necessarily
this, intended to have Statewide ap-
plication, is of the most meagre de-
scription, and it is followed in very
few counties, and in those only for
the reason that the minimum, at least,
| must be paid teachers, or the State
aid might be withdrawn. In Anne
Arundel we have never been able. up
to this period, to advance beyond
the minimum.
Now we know that the teachers to-
day are more clearly entitled than
ever before to a substantial increase
in salary. Like all other wage-earn-
ers, their living expenses have vastly
increased within late years, and they
have been confronted with the diff
culties presented by higher prices for
daily necessities and a fixed salary
basis. More than this, it is to be re-
membered that all the teacher earns
cannot be expended for personal
wants. We are requiring a constant
y-widening professional equipment
and training. To keep pace with
| educational progress, the teacher
must, in the vacation season attend
Institutes, summer schools and incur
| heavy expense in adding to his or her
store of knowledge, and in acquiring
training and mental discipline. In
many instances, these expenses are
severely felt.
For the ambitious, progressive
teacher, in touch and sympathy with
the expanding life of the profession,
there is always an attractive opening
in other counties, cities and states,
so that frequently we in Anne Arun-
81 find that we have only trained, or
given some experience, to a teacher
whom we are unable to retain here in
the service. Baltimore county and
Howard county, on our borders, pay
better salaries, and, other things be.
ing equal, of course we cannot expect
to hold a good teachers whom the
better salary attracts. Nor are the
teachers mercenary. 1t is natural
that, like other people, they will gC
where the best returns in compensa
cion are to be had, where there is {
future" for them.
With a reasonable increase in sala
ries, it is certain that we can com
nand teaching force such as ",
ought to always have The minimum
salaries we pay now are entirely to,
small. Even an idea of equity. a sens,
Of self-respect, should induce US I,
DO better. If our delegation in tn,
Legislature, our fair-minded Sena
tor and Delegates, VIII see to it tha
the bill is passed requiring the Count
School Board to add at least 20 ne
cent. to the salary list, we will no
even then do all we should do. Bu
It will at least be step in the righ
! direction. an earnest that Anne Arun
de county wishes TO be Just to it
teacher, and to show a proper appre
cition of their excellent work.
] We have prepared bill in accord
ance with the views which / have ex
pressed, and will ask the secretar
4