The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-02-17
THE NEW Yonz PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM

10 THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:-
A good deal OF attention has lately been given to
bill introduced by Mr.. Patterson of this city, look
ing to change in the present school organization.
There is no subject upon which the public mind is
sensitive as that which concerns the education
Of their children. 1t is not question OF politics,
and the sooner this Is understood by legislators
and those interested in and opposed to the contem
plated change in the school system the sooner we
shall arrive at a satisfactory result.
Any one who will examine the constituent ee-
ments of the Boards of Public Instruction and the
local Trustees will perceive at once that some
change is demanded. Under the rule of Tammany
some OF the very worst mon have crept into power,
and now WELD considerable influence in the
management of our schools and the appointment
OF our teachers. The Trustees in great many in
stances are entirely unqualified for the duties with
which they are charged and the sacredness OF
which they fail to comprehend Some OF the Com.
missioners equally unfit to I'LL the high stations
to which they have been appointed. But in our
efforts TO correct these evils and to cast the
worthy fr0m the control OF our school system we
must have care lest we overdo the work.
Our schools are the property OF all, and all should
be made to feel that they have an equal interest in
their growth and expansion. When the present
school act was passed, IN 1869. grave and serious
papers against the old organization and the one
to which Mr.. Patters0ns bill would have return.
1t was said then that great many Irregularities
VI
traordinary amounts set down under the head OF
'incidental expenses" but also In the manner In
which supplies for the schools were contracted for
the Board at that time not dealing with the pub
fishers books directly but with agent who, no
doubt, received liberal commission for his work.
Ii our schools are to be placed under the same law
as that by which they were governed from 1864
to 1869 some provision ought to be made
10 guard against the possibility OF any complaint
like the foregoing. Change in the organization Is
not sufficient. The general school law should be
amended and simphned. The appointment OF
teachers vested
with the right to transfer deserving teachers from
one district TO another whenever it is deemed for
the public good. The powers and duties OF the
Trustees should be made to harmonize with the
powers and duties Of the Central Board, and some
general provision, absolutely denying appropria-
tions OF moneys any school or charity not under
the control of the Board OF Education should be in
serted. ANY school law failing to incorporate these
propositions Will fall short OF giving general salts
faction. We must be sure that In getting rid of one
set of bad men we do not fall into the hands Of
another.
The discussion which took place on this subject
before the Joint Committee on Literature Of the
Senate and Public Education OF the House about a
week ago was far from ediying. IL was SIMPLY q
personal squabble, disgraceful to these VINO took
part IN it. One set OF figures was appealed to BY
one side and denied by the other. while another
set OF figures was put forth by the latter and denied
by the former; and so 1t continued until the coun-
try members became so mystiied that they knew
much less about schools after the 'discusslon,
than before 1t. If that were possible.
A morning journal, In recommending change,
gives as a reason therefor 1.-The fact that the
schools, under its THE Board OF Public Instruc-
tlon) present cOntrol, nave decreased In at
tendance" 1t says 1.-THE average attend
ance during 1858 was G154; the average
attendance for the three years previous to
1s72 was 1882. This shows q decrease In the
average attendance from 1868 to 1872 or 3,gO0.n
1t does but 1t proves nothing because it is not the
fact. We have before us the average attendance
of pupils. from 1890 to 1872. and we propose to
analyze 1t. In this analysis we shall leave out of
the calculation the year 1869, for the reason that
the old Board continued In 0ffce to May of that
year, at which time the new Board Of Public In
structi0n came into power. IL Is therefore difficult
to say which Is responsible for the attendance.
we shall take. however, the years 1866, 1867 and
1863 three years In which the Old Board had full
sway, and compare the attendance with that of
1870 1871 and 1872 during which the present Board
have had charge OF the schools. The records show
that during the former three years the average
attendance was 1885, and during the latter So 164.
The paper referred to made its great biunder IN
not Including the attendance OF the new Normal
School, which was organized In 1870 and which
collected into one institution the various sup
Elementary classes. which up to that time
were found scattered In nearly all our first class
public schools. IL also failed to take note Of the
attendance at the Model Primary or Training School
in st. Marks place. IL IL an undeniabc fact that
the average attendance IL larger this year by 1880
than IL was before and that for tho last three
years 1t bears the marks OF healthy, natural
growth.
change in tho s.s'em Ia demanded which will