The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-09-22
Board Of Education.

This Board met last evening, but the attendance of
members in consequence of the threatening appearance
of the weather, very slender The business brought
before the Board was however, Of immediate import
ance Several applications from the schools of the
wards received, and disposed of according to
their several necessities An application from the school
officers of Twenty second ward for furniture for their
school buildings was favorably received.
The main question, intended for the consideration of
the Board last evening, but which eventually was
postponed, involving much public interest It
audes TO the absurd and inconsistent principle of mark
ng observed in the various Ward schools This system
involves injustice to portion Of the schools which
does not and cannot extend to the This injustice
may be briefly stated In the annual examination of the
daily schools the Superntendents or examiners make no
difference between those of larger growth and
those in state OF matriculaton. Boys and
girls, who have had the advantage or long training
and constant school attendance, added to easy
position in fe inconsderatey cassed with the
juvenile poorer and dependent classes who at BEST
afford to spend but short time in necessary tuition.
There differences variations in the marks. The
of the class is not balanced in relation to that of
the oher and the consequence is that where SO mani
testify unjust and dcnounceable system prevails the less
favored schools must suffer in comparison with those
having the advantages of years training time and leisure
Thus although the pupils younger schools may in the
aggregate possess real intellect and application, and
in many cases, under the direction OF their able and
talented instructors may progress fast their expand
ing intellect will allow, their seniors must invariably
Gel Them because the self same test is applied to the
one (od though he may be is applied to the other,
youthful in comparison, as he may be.
A large majority Of the teachers of New York have
concluded address the Board Of Education this
subject and it is confidently expected that
the necessary alterations will be made under
the authority of the Board of Education Some of the
teachers who did not sign the memorial have taken
bragg their exclusion from the movement but this
was the result Of mismanagement than negligence,
it is hoped that all the teachers will on the next
unite in solid phalanx to carry out this important
Improvement in educational affairs.
The other business disposed of by the Board Of the
routine order and involve question of public import
On the question of reading the Bible the schools,
have received lengthy and sharply written letter, from
which make the following extract
sWthin few days my attention was directed to an
ticle published in large sheet which issues from the
vicinity Of Wall street. Its size is nversely proportional
TO the of talent which directs it, yet it glores in
the proud motto excelsior The article in question is
against the school officers of certain wards Of
this city obeying the dictates of conscience in
CARRYING effect late mandate Of the Board of Euca
ton directing portion of the Bible to be read at the open
ing of all the schools under its jurisdiction. The writer
draws largely his Bilngsgate vocabulary and uses
language congenia to this own taste than proper
when treating the subject Of education His structures
not these wards account of their being
poor. few words in explanation The act of the Legis
lature bearing this subject says' shall not be
verson of the Scriptures, any, shall be read The
school officers referred to feel that they would be JUS
tilted in exercising power than is conferred by law
on the Excelsior Board but prohibit the teachers from
reading the Bible unless the Board of Education shall de-
terminc and designate what particular version shall be
read This action the part Of said officers hardly de-
serves such censure."