The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-03-12


The BOARD OF EDUcATIoN.-We have lately
several times called the attention of the citizens
OF New York to this body, believing, as we do,
that it exercises vast influence, both in moral,
political, and pecuniary point of view, on the
present and future interests of this great and
growing city; and also because we believed that
public attention was not sufficiently awakened
to the importance of their proceedings. On the
Board of Education devolves the important duty
of devising such system of education as will
lead our youth in the way of rlghteousness-
teach them their obligations to their fellow.
beings, and fit them for the enjoyment of the
high and important privileges which, as Ameri-
can citizens, they will be called upon in after
life to exercise. Such is the first duty the Board
has to discharge; and, IN the performance of it,
whether faithfully or otherwise, we apprehend it
will not be denied that an immense influence
will be exercised, either for good or evil, upon
the best interests of our community. How tar
their action has tended to fulfil the expecta-
tons of their fellow-citzens in this particular,
we shall not now stop to inquire; but we reserve
to ourselves the right, at future time, to make
some structures on the present system of school
discipline, and the mode of imparting education
now in use in the common schools Of this city
The next duty Cor more correctly speaking
power,) the Board is entrusted with, is the le-
vying of taxes. This is a tremendous power,
and it should be exercised with the greatest
caution and prudence, and with view to the
strictest economy, because it authorses them to
put their hands into the pockets of every one of
us. Under this power, they raise yearly an
enormous sum of money off the tax payers of
this city; and let it be remembered that this
money is exclusively under their control, and
expended for the support of common schools in
such way as they may direct. The fact of being
vested with such power should urge them
to keep the most watchful eye on the
expenditure of this fund, and to insti-
tute the most rigid inquiry into every appli-
cation that may be made by ward officers and
others, for grants out of it. Now, have they
exercised this power cautiously and economi-
callyl We apprehend it will be found they have
not. We are credlbly informed, and that by the
most respectable and trustworthy persons, that
no limit is kept to the grants of public money
that they are made without any evidence to
show they were absolutely, or; at all, required.
1t is only with the last fortnight that $4,000 was
the erection of which had originally cost $4,000
to $4,000 each, and subsequent grants for fitting
up and furnishing them were also made, so that
the $4,000 above referred to was given as an adj
ditional grant for the same purpose.
The proceedings which the Board have adopt
ed in relation to grants of public money is this
when ward trustees think fit to organize new
school, simple memorial is sent into the Board,
asking for some $4,000 or $12, 900, to purchase
a site-the memorial is sent to committee, who,
as a matter of course, Immediately report in
favor of the grant; but upon what evidence they
go report no one knows but themselves; and
there are many circumstances that lead Us to
believe the report is founded on the bare repre-
sensations of the ward trustees. Committees,
every one knows, are not very scrupulous about
money, when it does not come out Of their own
pockets.
This mode of dealing with the school fund is
liable to great abuse, and, therefore, very OBJ
jectionabe 1t seems to us that the Board should
require from ward trustees, when they ask for
grants to erect school houses, some such statis-
tics as the following first, the amount of popu-
lation in the ward requiring common school
education secondly, the number of schools
already organized in the ward, with the exact
location, and the number of scholars attending
each school third, the location in which the
intended school is to be erected and the dis
lance such location is from each Of the schools
in operation and fourth-if the organization
of such school is found to be necessary-whe-
Their suitable house for school purposes might
not be procured and rented in the neighborhood,
so as to avoid the necessity of expanding
SO, 900 or $1,000 IN the purchase of lots and
erection of new school house; and in addition,
the Board should require that when such state
ment is presented, it should be verified to their
satisfaction.
We throw out these hints for the cons liberation
of the members. They may act upon them or not
as they think proper but we warn them that an
election for new Board is approaching, and we
advise the people to take the matter up and as
certain for themselves the amount Of money ex-
pended for the last two or three years, aud the
mode and manner of expanding it. If they find
that those gentlemen have well and faithfully
executed their trust that no money has been
expended but what was actually necessary; that
no schools have been organized only where
they were really wanted; that no jobs have been
sanctioned or encouraged, and that none but
competent and efficient teachers have been en-
poyed, then the board will be entitled to the
thanks of the public, and il will be the duty, as
well as the interest, Of the people to continue the
present members in Office.
FROM THE SANDWICH ISLANDS. The fiuc ship
Brutus, Captain Adams, of this port, is reported
below, with one month later from the Sand wich
Islands She has had the very fine passage of
ninety-eight days.
INTERESTING MATrEK.-We give on the first
page of this days paper, several very important
statistical tables, exhibiting the commerce OF
the United States also, chronology of the life
of the Hon. Zadock Pratt.
NAVAL MOVEMENTS. The transports, M. Howes
and Arcola, were to have sailed yesterday for