The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-02-15
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY Is, 1866.
The High School Alumni-Needed Reform

J Asst evening, at Jne annual meeting OF Tue
Alumni of the Central High School, com
mittee, appointed to defend the Institution
from any attacks, submitted report and series
of resolutions, which, if carried out, will do
much towards remedying the evils into which
the whole common school system Of our city
has fallen. One of the resolutions declared
"Tbat unless some reform is speedily made IN
the class OF persons selected to be the Judges
OF our educational system, the question win
arise whether the whole elective pla0' as tar as
a choice OF school controllers IS concerneu, IS
not q radical evil, and efforts be deemed nrces-
sary 10 secure the appointment OF officers by the
courts"
The loud applause with which this resolu-
ton was received, and the neatly unanimous
vote by which it was adopted, testified to the
earnest determination Of the meeting to see
that some cuIe be sought and found for the
disgrace which is now settling upon our
schools. The High School as at present con-
Quoted, is not guided by those whose ability
and position fit them to be "udges OF an edu-
cational system" The Faculty OF the insti-
tuition is bound hand and foot by committee
of the Board OF Control, end it was said and
is commonly reported that the chairman OF
that committee is opposed to the very exist
ence OF the institution which he was selected
to govern. TIE decided anomaly IS presented Of
a standing committee to rule school
being es,ded over by gentleman opposed
to the objects for which the committee was
created. We do not desire to do any one
injustice, and if We ara misinormed we shall
be happy to correct any unlntentional misrep-
rest ntations; but ii we are correct, then it Is
duty which the chairman owes to bimself,
the institution, and our city, to resign pest
for which, though biasScd judgment, he IS
incompetent.
The recent remarkable vote in the Common
Council has aroused the friends OF the school
to the danger with which it is threatened;
and having been once arc used, they are not
likely to sit supnely down and watch the
destruction Of their alma Mater. We agree
with the committee Of the Alumni, that "there
are many faults that need correction, many
evils for which there should be remedy; yet
we hold that evils can be reformed by proper
action OF the Board Of Control, and without
the abolition Of the institution. Reformation
is needed in the system, and reformation will
not iniure the Board itself. 1t is rather
through the neglect OF the gentlemen whose
duty it was to direct the plan OF education in
the RI ht channel, than because ofany radical
defe It in the school itse.G
The question Is now arising whether it were
lot indeed better that there be some amend
ment in the law, SO as to make the Con-
trollers, like the Board OF Health and Guardians
of the Poor, the appointments OF the Judges
of our County Courts. There are many
reasons to be adduced in favor of such a
change, and many in opposition. 1t would
certainly have the effect OF eleVatiug the
status of the Controllers. As the law at pre-
sent reads, the Office is given away as the
petty present due to any scheming yet igno-
rant politician. Within q few days we were
told by gentleman who often oticiates as
delegate to the ward conventions, that "the
end of the ticket being School Directors, was
usually flied up with bar-tenders, as bid for
their influence"
such an acknowledgment is disgrace to
our city. Why could we not have 1t arranged
similarly to that of our sister sister of Boston,
where it is an honor, a compliment to be
appreciated, for any citizen to be chosen to
the post? 1t is equivalent to the public asser-
ton that the gentleman was peculiarly fitted,
by learning and probity, for so important a
duty as guiding the course Of youthful study.
On the contrary, in our own city there are few
able men who will condescend to go first into
the ward conventions, the precinct meetings,
then into the directors, and alter being con-
taminated with the contest, come into the
Board of Control, to be worse contaminated
than before. What we need is atota separation
of the educational and the po itical interests
of cur city. They have nothing to do with
each other in character; they are dia netrcally
opposed in fact then why should they be
governed by the same men, and the same hand
sign diploma as issues an alderman's writ, OF
drafts the resolutions for the adoption Of a
political convention?
The Committee have well expressed the
needed change when they say, "We implor6
our iellow-ctizens to join with us in reuhov
ing the educational interests of our city from
all political influence, which can only degrade
and iniure the cause of knowledge aud ad-
vancement." There is no necessity for advo
eating the High School. 1t has sent fortl
five thousand graduates within its short life
They are holding almost every position in tht
community. They are, despite the assertion;
to the contrary, good, trustworthy, and, ii
many cases, distinguished citizens. We coulC
point to a score who are moulding the hnan