The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-12-24

The BOARD OF EDUCATION AND rHK FREE AGA
DENY Ourpresent sy stem of public education dates
as far back as l795in that year the Legis AZURE OF
This State passed an act entitled An act for the
encouragement: Of public schools by which
sum of $40 900 annually appropriated for their
support in the different counties of this State, In
which children were TO be taught such branches OF |
knowledge as were considered most useful and |
Necessary to complete good English education.
Soon after the passage Of this law, the benefits |
conferred by public education were felt and &C.
knowledged by the people. Subsequently, several |
other acts were passed, at different times TO perfect
the system and extend the sphere of Its usefulness
IN ls25 large proportion of the owners OF pro-
perry in this city, memoriallzed the Legislature to
raise by city taxation on the city and county OF New
York, a sum in addition to that already required
of them. for the purpose OF educating the destitute
peor-a rare instance of disinterestedness, and
perhaps the only instance on record OF men So
letting the favor Of being taxed. The prayer OF
the memorial was of course granted, and an act
passed authorizing the Corporation to impose
a special tax on the citizens, for the sup
port of the public schools. Thus has the educa-
ton fund Of this State increased, from 1873 TO
l845 when it amounted, in round numbers, accord.
Ing to the report of the Superintendent OF Schools,
to the sum of five millions of dollars. 1t scarcely
necessary to add that the system OF common school
education was developed and perfected, and Its
usefulness extended in a corresponding ratio with
the increase of the funds for its support until at
ength il has reached the GROWING point-the
founding of free academy IN the city Of New
York, designed exclusively tor the instruction of
children in the higher branches OF learning, who
shall receive the rudlments of their education IN
The common schools of this city.
If the intentions of the Legislature in regard to
this institution, be carried out proper spirit,
and with a view only to subserve the public inte-
rest and the purposes for which 1t founded, it
will be an event in our history, and an everlasting
monument OF the public spirit of its founders, and
the citizens generally But the other hand, if 1t
be perverted fronl its Legitimate purposes and made
an affair of patronage, by quarerng upon 1t DEEPEN
dants and retainers, and admitting persons to be
educated within its walls who do not bring them
selves fairly within the provisions of the law autho-
rizng is foundation, then the law will be violated
or at least evaded, the objects and intentions OF the
Legislature, and OF those who were instrumental IN
founding it, frustrated, and instead of being Gas /,
was intended) for the benefit of the children OF the
the children of the wealthy and powerful In short,
it will be seminary for the education exclusively
oftne children Of the aristocracy, and a sort Of
asylum for their dependents and friends-the very
reverse of what it was intended tor, and what II
ought to be.
Our attention has been lately called to this SUBJ
ect, IN consequence of the proceedings of the
executive committee. Itseems that the institution
=
as preliminary step, 1t was necessary to frame a
system of education and to appoint professors.
The committee accordingly prepared a pro-
gramme of the various branches OF learning
to be taught IN the institution, and advertised
for professors for each department; very large
number of applications were sent in, accompanied
by testlmonias--as many, we understand, as filled
three or four large baskets. Out of these the CON-
mlttee selected such of the candidates they
thought fit for the different professorshlps, inserted
their names in their report, and sent 1t into the
Board for confirmation. The report was accepted
and the nominations, except those appointed tS
-NoSy9tesssorshIps of chemistry and the French
have bee" ~r 10 nor 6hJect 10 d.
best selections that could be made, and II anothe
and more satisfactory method was adopted,
would, In all probability, receive the appoint
ments; but we strongly object to the method of Sc.
lection resorted to by the committee. 1t was, to
say the least of It, partial and contrary to practice
In cases OF such importance and, moreover, It
stigmatized the other candidates, without giving
them tar trial. The mere reading of letters and
Testimonials, by three or four gentlemen in com.
mlttee room, is but poor test of the qualifications
that ought to be required TO fulfil the duties of a
professor In such institution as the Free Acade
| my. Ihere is no gentleman of any pretensions
VINO cannot, at any time, find friends enough to
give him testimonials. We say this with every
respect Tor all parties concerned; for we are willing
TO believe that every gentle man who puts his name
10 paper OF the nature referred to- does it in good
lalth, honestly believing that his friend is compe.
tent to the task he undertakes but we do repeat.
hat written testimonials are not the best evidence
OF mans qualifications for any profession or pur.
suit thorough examination, and that by COM
petent persons, Is the only true and legitimate
mode by which the abilities of these gentlemen
and their aptitude for the communication of
knowledge to their pupils, could be fairly as.
certaned. 1t was due, therefore, to the re.
Jected candidates, and in our opinion it would be
much more satisfactory to the gentlemen who
have received the appointments and certainly to
The public, II the executive committee had selected
competent persons from literary institutions to
examine all the candidates orally in the various
branches ofearning which they profess ed to teach,
because the success of this institution will m ainlv
depend on the high professional character and abb
llties of Its professors
We therefore think the committee committed a
fatal error in the mode of appointing professor;
and If not now too late, we would suggest to some
member of the Board Of Education to move re
consideration of the whole subject; and If his
motion should be carried then that he follow up
by another, directing the Executive Committee to
request the attendance of competent gentlemen
from the literary institutions In this CITY and Wei