New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-12-05
BOARD OF EDUCATION.

The Board met Yesterday the President in tho
Chair, and 10 was expected considerable share Of
business was gone through. Various resolutions, at
the opening were moved and adopted in connection
with the Finance COMMITTEES, aud the claims Of va
rious parties fo1 work DONE &C., received due aeu-
lion. TIE subject Of School Readers also caused
some considerable debate, in which Messrs. WAR
RIM and SroUr were much interested, Sut finally
il was decided that the course which was most eco
nornical should b adopted. On the adjustment OF
these prerfnaries, and resolution adopted that
the Board be reeoy ID into Committee Of the Whole
on documents 3, 8, and IL,
Alderman TUcKEH was jailed 70 tie chair, When
Mr. BENEDICT rose to the question Of the regu-
lstion of Teachers salaries. He commenced by say
ing that il was altogether in vain to expect 10 equal
ize the salaries Of Teachers, nom tie difference thas
necessarily exbbs between man tlud another. In
illustration Of bis theory, be referred TO Lsrd
Brougham, saying, that no Nose OF payment can %
fair that overated the work done Also me remark
of Sir Joshua Rsynolds who when asked bow he
could charge 30 much for painting on which he hid
expended but five days. replies not five days, bus
thirty pears. And lastly, he quoted the anec-'
dote Of tire old Negro, who wns willing to takef
50 cents' for the killing and 30 for the hon.
Mr.. BsSEDIcT went on to show that ell teachers,
were not necessarily, even teachers, entitled to
equal salaries, and selected the case Of School No.
Mr.. WATERBURY, wished to know in what con-
sisted the superiority of that school and lite teacher,
Mr.. Bgvyprcr admitted thst the eubject vas one
Of great difficulty but; urged il strongly on the meet
ing, ard naliy submitted plsn or scale illustrating
his views. Re sugesed the payment OF ~ ,0O per
annum for ,sle. 500 for females and $50 6r fe-
maier of the prlzary Departments. DE said that this
woad raise fund OF $7s 900 PEI annumfor the pubhc
schools and Witch should be rased on calculation
OF SIS for boys, f2 for girls, and g for children.
Thu plan also indicated that the salaries Of the
rious teachers should b, paid % their respective
wards which WA intended, under the system,
should act local committee.
Various objsctions were now raised asto tho JUS
tce of the system, all teaohe-s matter how high
or how low their qualifications beng undes itA
provisions EMIT ed TO eqsal salary.
Messrs SMITH, WATERBURY, and FfTzPkrRrcK,
took very active part in the discussion which re-
manned IN Sdtu 1sO, till, motion made thePtesi-
dent, q. w. CuNls, res an Cd the char, aud sas-
PENSION of the argument toek place for an indefinite
time.
Miscellaneous topics now became matter Of ss'cn
tiea when various documents in behalf Of claims Tor
work done and money due were duly adopted and
referred.
On the resumption OF the chair by Mr.. Tucker, Q
lively discussion arose as 10 the expenditure Of
money to teachers- Mr.. FkRR conieoded that no
teac hers salary shall exceed that OF the ee prin-
eipal, end felt inctred to give full power 70 tho
Mr.. FrrzPArRIcx asked, Why should the salary
OF FcePrucipal he liked, ancsthat OF teachers NOS
Mr.. WATEKBUnY coDtendod that some wards
would have q much larger amount Of money than
Others provided tie plan Of Mr. Benedict was enact
ed aud urged that necessary TO fix a limit to
teachers 10 prevent the purchase OF teachers, to tho
great derimsnt of the less aii'nent wards and tho
cause of education in general. He therefore moved
an amendment, that the highest salary shossld not
exr ssd $500 for mslss, &c.
Mr.. BENEDICT then commenced to reply at some
length using strenaously his former aguments but
in vain, as the general feeling for an adjourn
met which took place at 92S, SINE die, Leaving the
great question teacher salaries sill rnadIust-
ed. II is probable, however, that another meeting
will be held on Wednesday next and fnat decision
admitted.