The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-04-15

in the same manner q the ward schools are nan
aged. When the conveyance Of the property Of the
society is made over to the city, (he bill fxes the
time for the first Of September next) the Public
School Society ceases TO exist.
In parting with this truly benevolent association,
as an old and faithful public servant it win be inter
esting to the friends Of education, and others not
familiar with its history, to have brief notice of
the rise and progress Of the institution, which may
be said to have been the pioneer Of the common
school system Of the State Of New York.
The Public School Society was founded in the
year 1906 for the purpose Of bringing the means OF
instruction within the reach of the children Of ind
gence. De Witt Clinton was one Of the principal
projectors of this scheme of philanthropy. The act
of incorporation was obtained April 1905; and on
the 9Th Of May following the first board Of trus-
tees under the new charter was elected, under
the name of Free School for the Education
Of children who do not belong to, and are not pro-
vded for by, any religious society" This board con-
sisted of De Witt Clinton President; John Murray,
Jr., Vice President; Leonard Blocker, Treasurer;
Benjamin D. Perkins, Secretary; Gilbert Aspinwall,
Thomas Eddy, Thomas Franklin, Matthew Franklin,
Adrian Hagerman, William johnson, Samuel Miller,
Benjamin G. Minturn and Henry Ten Brock. After
theapse Of nearly year. the first school was opened
on the plan originated in England by Joseph Lam
caster. This school was opened in May, and proved
successful So favorable was its report to the Legis
lature, in 1907 that application to that body for
aid donation Of $4,000 was given for erecting
schoolhouse, besides an annual appropriation Of
81 900 for the support Of the school, The Common
Council granted additional aid, in suitable building
and $500 for repairs.
Encouraged by this success, the trustees re-
solved to renew their efforts to extend the bene-
fits Of the Society. On application to the Legis-
lature the name was changed to the "Free
School of the City of New York;" and the So
ciety was authorized to educate all children who
were proper objects Of gratuitous instruction Fur
ther aid was received from the city corporation,
which enabled the Society to prepare room capa
BILE Of holding 500 pupils besides apartments for the
use Of the Board and the teachers family. There
was very general interest felt by the citizens on
this occasion. At the opening Of the new school
house. an address was delivered by De Witt Clinton
and the school was soon afterwards organized.
In 1910, the fee Of life membership being raised
by the Legislature to fifty dollars, this together
with grant made to the Society and the increase of
individual contributions from 81 900 to $4,000, in
duced the society to erect building in Henry
street, which was completed in October, and in this
building school No. was opened in November. 1t
is not necessary to trace infinitely the progress Of the
Society for several successive years. Suffice it to
say, that from 1915 to 1924 four more schools
were organized, under the most favorable
auspices, the number Of pupils having increased
from 40 to upwards Of 1000, and all things
had thus far exceeded the most sanguine expecta-
lions of those who were laboring, with laudable
ZEAL for the diffusion of education among the indi-
gent classes Probably no institution which has ever
existed in this city has shown more disnteresedness
than the Public School Socicty-a large proportion
of the trustees being always from the ranks of
wealthy and enterprising citizens, who did not re-
qure the Of the schools for their own children,
and members Of the Society Of Friends or Quakers,
who have always sustained schools of their own for
the education Of the youth of their society but free
y gave their services to the public this occasion.
In 1926 the charter of the Free School Society
was altered SO as to empower them, under the name
of the Public School Society,"" to receive children,
whether objects Of charity or not, at low rates
from twenty-five cents to two dollars per quarter
The Board was increased by fifty additional mem
beers, and the price Of membership was reduced to
ten dollars. Three more schools were organized
and primary or infant schools were established.
Pcrceiving the abuses of the pay system, the Pub
lie School Society at this time conceived the idea
general school tax in addition to the school fund
means Of establishing system Of public school.
on SO liberal footing as to meet the approval ant
patronage of the citizens generally. Accordingly
petition was circulated asking for tax to the
amount of half mill OH dollar Of assessed city
property. This plan was formally adopted by the
Common Council, which memorialized for a tax o
oneeighteenth of one per cent. This memorial wa:
accepted by the Legislature, and an act passed il
conformity thereto. The aid derived from THU
source enabled the Society to enlarge its operations
In 1882 the last amount Of remuneration from
pay scholars was paid, being $3.50. At that time
the schools were opened as public schools, and al
classes OF citizens invited to attend them. The sys
tenn also revised and alterations proposed which
show the matured views of the Public School Society
upon the subject of popular education.
In consequence of portion of the School Fund
having been granted by the Legislature to such in
coporated religious societies as supported charity
schools, the Free School Society, in 1924, memorial
lied the Legislature the subject and an act was
passed giving the control Of the distribution Of the
school money for the city of New York to the Com
mon Council. An ordinance was passed by the
Council directing that the distribution be made
to the Free School Society, the Mechanics Society
the Orphan Asylum, and the African schools
The Roman Catholic Orphan Asylum in Prince
street afterwards admitted to participation in
the School Fund, notwithstanding the Public School
Society demonstrated against it, and the Methodist
Episcopal Church was refused an application for a
similar participation towards the support of their
SCHOOLS
The controversy which took place between Bishop
Hughes and the Catholic clergy and the Pub
lie School Society, commencing about 1887, it is well
known led to the act establishing ward schools,
which was introduced into the Legislature BY Mr.