The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-09-01
PUBLIC EDUCATION.


Closing Of the Summer vacatious-Prepara-
tisns for tho Coming Year-Chasses In
the System. ..rt
ON Monday next the schools throughout the city
under the direction Of the Board OF Education will
be reopened after the summer vacations and pupils
and teachers once more enter on the duties of OBJ
tanning and imparting knowledge. All the pupils
have, no doubt, longed during some time past for
the return of the school days. but as the vacation
draws to close they all naturally wish 1t were just
little longer. This latter wish OF the teachers
and pupils naturally think would have been useless,
as the vacation would have been week
longer but for Commissioner Gross, VINO managed
to defeat movement to that eect at the last meet
ing Of the Board of Education in July. However
the rule was adopted and unless specially altered at
the meeting Of the Board to be held tomorrow even
Ing the schools will be opened on Monday morning,
when the teachers will be expected to be at their
posts. During the vacation great many
ALTERATIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS IN THE SCHOOL
BUILDINGS
have been made under the direction OF the architect
Of the Board and the superintendent OF Buildings
and Repairs. Almost every school building in the
city has been overhaued the furniture repaired and
the heating and ventlating apparatus put in order
The workmen have been obliged to my about" so
that their operations might not interfere with the
opening OF the schools; and by the end Of the week
al; will be in readiness for the regular 10
commence.
THE FREE COLLEGE
viii also reopen on Monday with full register. At
the last examination some $50 applicants wer Q ad
united, making some 500 to 900 pupils on The roll.
General Alexander S. Webb. who was chosen presi-
dent by the Board OF Trustees, has already COM
menced famiarzing himself with the duties of his
.&ustiA
is said to be q man Of rare executive ability, and
under his direction the college Is expected to take
foremost posi- ton among the universities OF the ma
ton.
The professorship Of ancient languages and litera-
ture. left vacant by the demise OF the Rev. j. j.
Owens, still remains unflled but an appointment
Will probably be made at an early meeting OF the
Board OF Trustees Messrs Fitzgerald, Tlsdall and w.
b. Suber both tutors IN the department are working
to obtain the appointment but what chances Of sue
cess either may have it is difficult to determine. Mr..
Tisdall graduated from the college with honors In
1852 and that time has been engaged tutor
IN the college, He Is great favorite among the
students and attaches OF the college generally, Is
well read, Is peculiarly successful teacher and
untiring student. MIR. SLIDER has been connected
with the college as tutor OF Latin and Greek since
1851 and his long connection is ample evidence OF
his efficiency. Mr.. Charles Herperman. Ph. D.. lay
professor at the College OF st. Francis XAVIER also
herman ls perhaps, one OF the most thoroughly
drilled Latin and Greek scholars In this city. and has
had great deal OF experience as teacher Of va
rlous branches In the college to which he Is at
tached. The idea Of dividing the office SO as to
make two professorships- for Latin ana one for
Greeks 80 Grossly absurd that VIII scarcely re-
Of Trustees.
CHANGES IN THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM
are spoken or and win no doubt be made BY the
Board Of Education at an early day. Among the
doubt meet with the approval Of the teachers. it
ia proposed to graduate the sc8e OF teachers pay
accordance with their term OF service. At present
the pay ID graduated according to the number OF
pupils the roll Of the school, but in addition to
that the Board will probably take into consideration
the circumstances and experience OF the individual
and 80 regulate the salaries that the more deserving
shall receive the higher remuneration. 1t is also
proposed TO divide the city INTO districts, increase
the force OF Superntendents and assign one to each
district. This Will give the superintendent Oppor-
tunties to keep the schools under much stricter
is presumed that the additional expense of such an
arrangement will be more than Offset by the in
creased efficiency IN the schools.
The German question Will no doubt be agtated
but will scarcely be settled In accordance with the
views or wishes OF the would be dominant class
The argument adduced by the German representa-
tive in the Board that $50 many Americans visit the
| Continent for business or pleasure that regular
knowledge OF German and French should be lnstitu-
ted in the course OF studies" will have she effect
perhaps. OF killing the movement Those who ''vsit
the continent or business or pleasure can AFFORD to
cost OF the nlOdcum now Included In the course Of
studies tends to show that the experiment. would be
The Board OF Education, although contemplating
many changes, have been reluctant in Introducing
them too speedily, lest 1t might be feared that the
entire system was being unthinkingy interfered
with. One very important amendment to the pres
lature is the total aboishment OF the local
boards OF trustees. The trustees are generally
"snall fry" politicians and are ruled by the lead
era" In the wards. They recommend teachers for
appointment or promotion as their 'deadersn CON-
mand, and the result Is that many who have served
less experience, but having the good will Of the local
rulers promoted or appointed to dill higher positions
N aYfr