The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-02-17

sCmOOt Inv OF NEW nOrks
ABSTRACT OF TIKI RkroRT OF 1rk MAJORITY OF THE
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON COMMON SCHOOLS, on
THR PETITIONS FOR The AMENDMENT AND REPEAL
OF TBR FREE SCHOOL LAW.
Mr.. L. Ii. Benedict, from the majority OF the
Committee en- Colleges, Academies, and Common
Schools, to which was referred the petitions for
the repeal and amendment Of the Free School
Law, reports That, deeply impressed with the
importance Of the subject committed TO their
charge, they have given TO il full and impartial
consideration as circumstances would permit.
They have been actuated IN their deliberations
solely by desire TO present some plan by which
the educational system Of the State might be
established upon a basis sound and enduring; know
ing that system that will not meet the vie VS. OF a
majority OF the people OF the State is liable to be
altered and amended at each successive session OF
the Legislature; and this vascilahng policy can
not but prove extremely prejudical to the cause OF
education. In view OF this, your committee have
endeavored to act in spiSii OF justice 10 the
100000 children of the State, who are pleading,
with the natural eloquence of youth, for their un-
doubted right to taste some Of the fruits Of learn
ing; and In justice, also, TO the great body of tax
Peyers, who are affected or seemingly so, by con-
Ceding this right.
The large number OF petitions that have been re-
ferred TO your committee, coming from different
sections OF the State, prove concusivey that there
rs existing among the people deep feeling Of dis
content with the provisions of the present law.
Many Of your petitioners demand its unconditional
repeal. Yet many Of them, your committee are
happy &c observe, while expressing dissatisfac-
ton with the law, simply ask that such modtca.
fors may he made therein as will make IL more
acceptable to the taxable portion OF the commu-
nifty, and, IN consequence, more efficient IN It's
operation.
La our State, as early as 1875, an act was
passed, by which the sum If 900 was approprl-
atcd annually for five years, among the several
towns Of the State, and the towns were required
TO raise an equal amount for the support Of COM
mon schools. In 1905 permanent tund for the
same purpose was established, by the passage Of
an act approprating 100000 acres OF land, Ito
raise fund for the encouragement OF common
schools" The Surveyor General was authorized
10 sell the land, and the principal derived from
such sale, with the Interest accruiDg thereon, was
10 be loaned, until the whole interest should
amount 70 $4,000 annually which interest was
TO he distributed among the common schools as
the Legislature should direct. THIS fund has, by
various legislative ensctments, been increased,
until now the capital Of our common school Fund
is AZ 2t0. co., which fund IL being annually IN.
creased by the addition Of $4,000 from the inter
Get Of the u : Deposit Fund BY m act oil the
Legislature in ISL, c. mmtsion was appointed 10
"felort a system for tho organization, regulation,
and establishment" Of Common Schools. This
commission presented an elaborate rerort to the
Legislature Of 1872 Accordingly, law was pass
ed, which es substantially. 'he bass OF our very
| useful ard efficient system Of common schools
until the year 1872. Under this syttem, the nro-
ctt6s q the Common School Fund OF the ; ate
4 were sucTior ed among the different towns OF -
State, eccordif To the pupua ion therein; and th
srttrvisorsc I'll csch county were directed an sual
70 levy by tex upon each town,a sum corref .undin
4 with the amount received from the state
| Thtse Funs made the public mc aeys Of tn
TOW n, ard were to be disiribsed am ng the scyers
school districts Of the town, proportion TO tn
number q children therein, between The ages G