The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1913-01-04
BILL FOR
TEACHERS URGED
MEASURE DRAWN LARGELY
ALONG LINES OF PRESENT
WISCONSIN LAW.
WOULD IMPROVE CONDITIONS
e. p. Cummings. superintendent Of
Lansing Schools, Favors System
az Reward for Long and
Honorable Service.

Honorable Service.
Lansing.-An act proposing the es-
tablishment of a system of retirement
salaries, which will be introduced in
to the next session of legislature, is
receiving the statewide support Of
champions of education. This bill
means increasing the effectiveness of
the public school system OF Michigan
and maintaining higher standard of
efficiency among teachers.
Superintendent e. p. Cummings of
Lansing schools, member of the leg
islative committee of the Michigan
Federation of Teachers Clubs. Is an
ardent advocate OF the proposed
system. II believe" said Mr.. Cum
mings. 'in the objects that have
actuated the preparation of the teach
ers' retirement fund bill; that is, rea-
sonable reward for long and honor
able service as school teacher on
the one hand and the material ad-
vancement of the teaching profession
and teaching service to the state on
the other.
I'm my experience as superin-
tendent of schools, have repeatedly
known of teachers who, through no
extravaganza or lack of thrift on their
part, quit the profession at the close
of a long service Of unselfish, honest
work practically penniless. have
known of many strong, forceful, virile
young men and women with all the
fitness for effective teaching to leave
the work and enter upon some other
profession, because they realize that
In the teaching profession. when they
have reached the age at which law
yers, doctors and other professional
and business men In general are earn
ing and receiving their greatest re-
turns, the teacher is considered ready
to be laid upon the shelf. l have
even known of instances where en-
ploying officers have realized that
some good, faithful teacher Of long
service is past her period of useful
ness in the schoolroom, but they can
not bring themselves to turn her out,
an object of charity. after a life OF
self-sacrifice and devotion. Should a
comprehensive, adequate retirement
salary bill become law, these condi
lions would be materially improved.
1.-THE Michigan bill" continued SUI
perintendent Cummings, has been
drawn largely along the lines OF the
present Wisconsin law. It follows In
q general way the teachers retire
ment salary laws in such statos as
New York. Massachusetts. Rhode
Island. Utah, Maryland, New Jersey
and Ohio.
"The present bill through criticism
suggestion and revision represents the
concensus of opinion of hundreds OF
Michigan teachers. A retirement sal.
airy law has been Endorsed by the
State superintendent association, by
the State Federation Of Teachers
Clubs, the State Association of Teach.
ers and by the State Federation OF
''Woman's Clubs"
Legislature VIII Meet and Adjourn.
For the first time since 1878 the
legislature will convene the first day
of January. The constitution provides
that the legislature shall meet on the
first Wednesday of January. but &C
cording to Clerk of the House Charles
Pierce It has been 33 years since Jan
uary 1 has fallen on Wednesday.
It is expected that the two houses
will meet at IL o'clock and immedi-
ately adjourn. as the reception to the
state officers by the new governor Is
scheduled>for the. afternoon Of Janu
airy 1, and In the evening Ferris will
hold open house for the members OF
the legislature and public.
There is possibility that the mes
sages of the retiring and the incom
ing governors will not be read at the
first day of the session Since 1878
the governor has taken the oath oil
office on the first day, and all the
inaugural ceremonies have beer
cleared away before the Legislature
assembled. This year, however. 1t will
be different and there Is considerable
speculation as to how the program
will be carried out.
There will be great gathering Of
Democrats In the Capital City to wit
ness the inauguration Of the flrst
Democratic governor In % years
Since Governor Winans took the ostf
of office in 1891 the members of tn,
party have been forced to witness the
ceremony performed by Republican
dignitaries. but this time 1t will b
different and the Democratic leaders
propose to make the most Of the oc
casion.
neerease In Infant Mortality Rate.