The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-01-03
he following are the names Of the members Of tIe
Sswd q Education for the present year

OF office OF each member is two years, but it
managed tha, half the Board out every year.
mus rendering election necessary TO supply the de
Aency. Accordingly, the Board at the first Inaugural
meeting, will consist of twenty two members who have
bot year serve, and like number whose will
expire til the end OF the year 1859 is to be hoped
Nat this infusion of members will lead a reform
Of the many abuses which have crept into this mporan
bot and tina: the cxavagant and frequently dshoncstap
Srcpraton Of the public school money will with their
early attention One OF the causes and perhaps the prn
cpAl cause, TO which may attribute the demoraized
condition Of the governmental part of this institution is
NE absence Of any responsibility on the part OF the
Board That body effectively constituted as TO be
responsible authority but the State Legislature,
which Is generally much occupied with its lobby
affairs as to have little or no time to bestow upon
the interests demands of public education. The
consequence OF this is painfully apparent in the
constantly increasing expenditures of the Board and which
out Of all proportion when compared with the growth
sfpopulaton. Until this defect in lis constitution is
moved until IL reorganized q new basis, the public
need not look for any permanent reform We hear OF
frauds in the purchase of books in the making of contracts
Sor schoolbouses and in fact, nearly all the trans
actions Of the Board out of which is possible for the
corrupt and dishonest members to make money but
have not heard of any in which the parties were
convicted. We hope better things however, from the
The public bps manifested by eecting them to offices Of
such trust and Importance As the organization
sf the Board IS completed and the other preliminary
matters Transacted committee of investigation should be
appointed 20 inquire into the charges Of incorporation
Of the school moneys. We have heard OF
m which member asked large publishing
bonus ofssJoo the condition which he offered
therefor being the purchase of large amount of books
from the establishment for the OF the schools The
Ann rlinad uiv The In
Their books such terms Now, here is In point
and If the committee active in their inquiries they
will ind many other and more fragrant instances. II is
such practices these that thousands OF dollars worth
Of worse books forced upon the teachers
the proper education OF the children is rendered
Sspoesibe let the Board look into this subject and
publish every of dishonesty and corruption Let
them put q stop to lobbying by driving lobby agents
Sssm the department ami exposing the frauds committed
under the system Of making contracts.
Alta late meeting Of the Board OF Education the Com
zntee on Finance submitted q report in regard 10 the
expenditures for the year 1855, which were set
down at about twelve hundred thousand dollars In this
document they take the ground that the amount of ex
enses Il not in excess what should be, and that to
make any charges Of excessive expenditure is TO the
beast o. IT, unooreous Now leaving courtesy out o! the
queston and looking simple facs il will be found that
Of the twelve hundred thousand dollars less than
zoe hs-that is 1860 ooo-are paid in salaries TO teach
antors OF the ward schools throughout
te cy while the balance expended for pianos repairs
O. school buildings, sites for new buildings, furniture,
salaries OF superntendens, clerks &c, and printing and
Incidental matters We should state that in addition to
Gle salaries teachers, &C. &s 600 IS required for the
support the Free Academy SIS 900 for normal schools
and s4s for evening schools Now, We should like TO
know what proportion Of the remainder OF the money or
about half million Of dollars expended for the purposes
stated and bow much Of finds ts way into the pockets
of corrupt officials and contractors for work which is NOT
requred and for school houses that not necessary
whore they constructed. We trust the new Board
viii make this subject thoroughly clear TO the public
The whole number of schools now within the lurSdic
Of the Board Of Education I'll OF which is are for
coored persons The several classes Of these schools and
NE number Of each class contrasted with the Ike state
the year 1885, follows, the schools FOR
solored children being specially designaed:-