The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-04-30
POPULAR EDUCATION.
Initial Meeting Of the Department
of Public instruction.
Election Of Officers Addresses by Commissioners
Van Worst, Smyth, Sands, Bell, Gross and
Wood-Radical Reforms in the
School System Recommended

The Department Of Public Education having been
Incorporated In the municipality, and the Board
Of Education having died peaceful death, uie
Commiss toner's OF Public instruction appointed ey
the Mayor met yesterday organize the new de-
partment
The proceedings commenced by the esding OF an
order from the Mayor appointing Bernard Smyth,
Timothy Brennan. Samuel A. Lewis, Wlham =. our
yea william Wood Hooper G. van Noorst Nathaniel
Sands Magnus Gross, Nathaniel Jarvis. Jf., Loring
Ingersoll Francis A. Palmer and Isaac Bell, Com
missioners OF the new department. for the full term
yuoge VAN yooRsr was then chosen chairman
RIO tenn. and on taking tne chair gave resume
OF the history Of education IN New York. closing
with mention Of abors and successes OF the late
Board.
The Commissioner began by saying that govern
ments are safe and strong proportion as they eau
cate wisely. II is not sale to leave education to the
affection or interest OF parents or to voluntary
benevolence. The State should appoint the best
known agencies for the education Of It's citizens.
In States where the whole power rests
upon TIE people, thorough intellectual and
moral education is oil the lrst Importance.
In France there are thirty eight millions Of people,
eleven millions OF whom cannot read. The senti-
ments OF the people OF New York upon the subject
OF public instruction early developed in wise state
policy Governor Clinton, IN 1872, called the attcn-
ton of the 81 ate Legislature 10 the sub ect and fifty
Thousand dollars were appropriated. In 1898
schools established in most Of the
counties OF the State OF New York, and
nfty thousand children instructed at the
public expense. The public money expended in
America now for 1ree schools exceeds ten million
dollars, and nine hundred and seventy thousand
children attend the common schools. To such mag
niIude has the public school system grown IN this
State in sixty years. The history OF public educa
uon IN this city commences with the Public school
Society, which In 1883 disorganlZed by
act Of the aSssnG part os o. the ne Trustees Enae
uou, and property the value OF sixty
thousand dollars passing under me control
lshed ninety 1our primary schools, containing G600s
children and ehhty-nlne grammar schools. with
80, 900 children The system or education has III
view tour years. course in the College OF New YORK
for males, and for females n course IN the Normal
College The number OF schools Is 22l besides my
corporate schools, partly under the supervision or
the Board. The Board OF Education has done It's
work, and II must be conceded that II was good
work, well done. AS Commissioners OF the Board OF
Education duty Is no more ana no less. There is
before term OF five years, to be devoted to the
cause OF education and the good OF the State We
should not he one-sided, but give TO every depart
OF education Its just proportion OF interest not
forgetting the religious element the development Of
which is SO essential to harmonious character.
After Judge Van Vorst's address Mr. WooD pro-
posed Mr.. Bernard Smyth as
PRESIDENT OF THE DEPARTMENT,
taking the occasion TO speak OF Mi. sinyhs admirable
qualities presiding officer. his strict Integrity
and justice 10 every member OF the late BOARD ana
The Commissioners proceeded to ballot for p esl.
dent, and Mr.. Smyth was elected by ten votes
On taking the chair MIR. shyrH expressed his
sense OF the honor conferred upon HIM by the Com.
missioners in electing him president for the third
time his appreciation OF The responsibilities OF
M. NATHANIEr SANDS next addressed the com.
miss01ers, detailing the special departments OF
Public Instruction under their control, viz.:-The
College OF the CITY OF New York, with
atfa
with LOO female pupils IN course OF preparation for
teachers; III schools, divided into 81 grammar
schools Al primary schools, cOored schools and Is
corporate schools, with an attendance oi
100000 scholars. Tue twelve Commissioners who
the people OF this city and county responsible for
tue wise and faithful discharge OF this
GREAT AND SACRED TRUST.
IL Is not sufficient TO be honest and economical In
the use of the public trust; we must also be wIse
criminal court, the police or the scanold that will
mosi enectuay remove criminals from society," but
The great question comes home with a force |
that Is irresistible Is there better OF develop.
Ing the intellectual and moral powers OF this great
ariny Of children and youth than the way have |
been pursuing for such . long perlods Leading
Herbert Spencer, Tyndal IN fact scientific ana
thoughtful men in all countries have a firm faith
that some day 10 grssD the intellectual chart
that VIII guide US safely TO a clear knowledge OF
THE LAWS OF MENTAL GROWTH;
teach the young how TO hold and use lie
wisely and successfully. il Is ours to ad
Of Toa snapn that e eey sa ve ee ro
disease and more in harmony with NATURES laws.
Now what Is the mental and moral discipline that Is
20 lead to these great resultsy simply that which
will develop all mans powers naturally and har-
,nonlousy Their great SIMPLICITY IN fact rs Their
viii not answer--they are desDised. Unknown and
ricut tongues must be prematurely learned pefo:e
even The native language Is mastered. The foolish
and mystic thol0gy OF the Greeks Is precious
than knowledge OF chemistry or botany or biology
Or In fact any of the natural sciences. Distance
lends enchantnent TO the view, and the history OF
the Egyptians Carthagenlans Pho,nclans, Greeks
and Romans, and the doubtful record OF improbable
events alleged by fable makers 10 have transpired
thousands OF years ago, occupy
TIE PRECIOUS TIME or TIE YOUNG
instead Of knowledge OF their own powers duties,
relationships aud the ife they are to take mold OF
make a success. 1t IL our mission and our sacred
duty TO change AL this and build up WISE. pract
cal and solid system OF education. Not day should
be lost then, in appointing committee examine
thoroughly into Tie whole subject OF public instruc
zion. ana the Theory and art OF teaching IN TINS
country aad Europe, aud report tue result OF their
examinations 10 TINS department. It my earnest
aesire 10 iBaugurate as soon a. possible system
which wiz be based upon the development of tue
reasonngs Our system makes boys and men
and doings OF hers. I desire first TO make |
youth strong within themselves 10 he rooted and
grounded i'll 1he world and things Immediately
around them TO live In sphere OF common sense |
and use, and ~ leave what is called the Snowy and
ornamental 10 IT. proper tine and place to Keep |
10 happily described by Herbert Spencer 1t might |
De well for this apartment to issue
ADDRESS TO PARENTS
.mpressiIg upon them the vast importance 10 them
selves and their children of using the advantages
afforded by the public schools. Parents IN this |
country take their children away from school at TOO
early period IN life; little sacrifice their part
would be richly repaid by Increased useful !
ness and power In tie child. We could take
useful lesson psn Europe IA nus re
spect. We must no. loose sight u this |
In our improved system No efforts wall BE- auccess
IN that are NOT based Oh soundness OF mind well
rs soundness ci body. We snail be wanting IN COM
mon sense n we DO not look carefully AFTER physical
culture. Hygiene, the laws OF health and yentiia-
fioD ana ihe effect OF sunlight should be az once
taught in our schools All teachers below the grade
OF principal should, after notice, be rc.cx-
ahmed IN improved methods OF teaching and tie
modern sciences. Our schools II they are 10 be
wade model echuols .auu return 10 the people Iuli
S0mpens lor theH cost, must be presided over
ty competent and able teachers. We cannot con.