New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-03-23
OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

OUK ~ BLU SOHOO1IO.
she CONSPIRACY AGAINST THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR: A great deal Of excitement is attempted
20 be stirred mp by the movement made by Mr.. Rich
mond the only Republican member OF the Legislature
the City Of NewYok to effect change in the char
meter and composition OF the Board Of Education 1t is
sought 10 have believed that tins is conspiracy OF bad
men to obtain control OF public schools Tor corrupt
mercenary and seetarian purposes. If this were
60 thore would be full justification for the great activity
Of those having the control Of the Board of Education
and the school moneys in their eortsto prevent any
interference with the existing condition OF things be-
cause however bad the present system may be- no mat
what abuses may have grown up during the long con-
tnued control OF seGi men, forming the "rng OF
the present Board would be better that 1t should
continue u.s. than that the objects said to lie at inc
bottom OF the movement should succeed
rather bear the ills We have. 80
Than 1y 10 others that We know not OIL
Now there can be no harm in calmly considering the
existing condition and relation Of the Board OF Educauoh
and the objects attempted to be secured and which VIII
probably be accomplished by the Dill OF the HON. MT
Richmond Mere clamor proves nothing, and should not
affect any citizen who feels-as all good citizens should
deem and responsible interest in the cause OF common
school education Let not abuses which are patent ana
which are growing continue, from any vague apprehen
sion or any interested statements that the opposition
comes from unworthy sources.
One would suppose that the object Of the movement In
the Legislature uprOOt the Common School system
and utterly destroy the principles and practice OF this
scheme Of public education. Mr.. RiehmOnds bill does
not interfere ALL propose to interfere with the sys-
tenn of Common School education in the slightest degree
1t merely aims TO introduce men, and. doubtless,
better men, into the Board Of Education for the purpose
OF controlling the growth OF the expenses OF
Common School education-new men as school COmmlS-
soners who can be relied upon TO correct the
baxra IN
men OF the cque I'm whose hands are the opera
lions OF the Board Of Education One would
suppose, from the uprOar and excitement which 1t
Ia ATTEMPTED 20 raise. that have in our Board OF Ed
ucaton the intelligent capable and immaculate set
OF Commissioners TO be found anywhere administering
so important q trust Now, I ask how many Of our
readers know who compose the Board of Education and
not knowing who they are how they judge that they
are the best men for the postonl How many know OF
proceedings and operations OF the Board OF Educa-
cation How they Judge regard to the expenditures
money and the making OF contracts and the Jobs that
passed there few years the proceedings OF
the Board Of Education published regularly so that
every act was made known. The result OF this was
found to be exceedingly inconvenen to the managers OF
the Board and two years agOt was absolutely stopped
and that time their proceedings have been kept en-
ey secret except the few spectators who may from
time to time choose TO attend.
Again. it is said that the movement against the Board
OF Education is effort OF the Tammany ring TO obtain
control OF that Board. Do not all your readers know
that 10 out OF the q Commissioners elected by Tam
many Hail. and that they stand in the position OF CONTROL
compared with the other party Is toS But all this
is not important II the Commissioners good and capa
Die men, dsehargng their duties with efficiency
and economy.
Now what are the facts the results, in general way
The expenses Of the Board of Education for the last six
years have been as follows;
1ss3........ t454eOO 90 1856. ......s2 - S25 81
ls64........ l7s7,0OO 90 ls61...-...-. 29313f8 90
ls6j...... 229S, sos IS 1s68.......-.. 100000 %
This that the expenses have increased during the
above period per cent and that the increase goes
steadily on The appropriation asked for during the
present year is s. $4,000 OF this total the following
the items of necessity though doubtless extravagant in
amount:
Salaries of Teachers in Ward Schools
Fo a tbe s Ul OF Tho 10000
Corporate Schools 10000
For supplies through the Depository $4,000
Total. 10000
II win be seenithat the actual expenses required for
ealaes and for the support and supplies OF the schools
amount even on estimate prepared by the present
oiBcers to about 100000
Now let how it s that the amount OF what would
TO be all that is necessary for the support OF the
schools s increased OOOOO at this time when suf
ferng every department Of taxable interests from the
burdens Of National state, and City taxation. The first
Item that attracts attention is Salaries of the Super
intendents, Clerk, &c, Of the Board Of Education
$4,000! Does pretend that the expense Of clerk
assistants perform the clerical duties OF that
position, need amount TO any such sum as thisf TIE
in paying salaries and keeping record OF the proceed
inCs Of the Commissioners