, 1876-12-22
TIE LONDON SCHOOL BOARD.

The second triennial election of the Lon
| don School Board has just occurred under
! the Free-Schoo1 law adopted for the King
dom something more than three years ago
This law not merely provides for free schools
for all children who do not enjoy other
school facilities, but requires that every child
shall be kept in school up to the age of II
and until certain examination shall be
passed in the elementary studies it is q
compulsory system in SO far as it requires
that every child shall receive certain
amount Of instruction, but this instruction
may be had ut private schools, parochial
schools, or the Government schools. In
framing this law the greatest difficulty was
encountered in regard to the religious exer-
cises. This question is more perp1exing in
England, where Church and State are bound
up together, than in this country, where they
are completely separated. It would not do
for Parliament to shut out al religious
exercises in the face of the recognized union
between Church and State; nor could it
safely prescribe what these exercises should
be in view Of the wide differences among
The people and the growing liberalism Of the
very classes whom the free schools we're es-
pecially designed to benefit. In this en-
barrassment it was decided that the studies,
exercises, and discipline of the schools
should be left entirely at the discretion of
the various Boards throughout the King
dom, and that the members Of these Boards
should be elected on the free-vote or minori-
ty-representation plan, SO that both the
clerical and anti-clerical parties should be
represented.
The London School Board has fifty MEM
bers, who are elected By; districts, each
having q number of members proper
tionato to it's size. These districts-the
City Of London, Westminster, Marylebone,
Chelsea, ETC., corresponding to the
West Division, South Division, Hyde
Park, Lake View, ETC., which make
up Chicago-vote separately. If district
elects five members, each voter has five votes
which he may plump or distribute as lie
likes. Every rate-payer--that is, every per-
son who hires lodging or pays rent, as well
as the -ho1ders-is d voter, even in
Guiding women; women are also eligible to
membership of the Board, aud four of them
were chosen at the late election. The Lon
don Board which has served three years has
shown decided aversion to all dogmatic in
struction in the schools, and its action has
created two parties, known Us the Denomina~
tional OF Church party, and the Board party.
The canvass was very spirited and excited
general meetings and neighborllood meetings
having been held III large numbers. The result
the Board, decided increase in the number
Of liberal members, and what now amounts
to positive instructions from a 1arge,majority
of the people to keep dogmatism out of the
schools.
The result Of this School Board election is
significant Of the growth of liberalism among
the people not only in England, but in all
countries where popular education is cult
vated. The clergy made united effort to
break down the Board, notwithstanding they
have their own parochial schools, which their !
own people may support to any extent they
think proper aud desirable. That they were
defeated is a matter of congratulation, and a
hopeful sign Of the continued usefulness of !
the English free-school system. The London
Times, commenting on the result, says:
Now that the battle Is won. perhaps the thing to
be wondered at fs that its issue WAS ever doubt
Ful. 1t was in the nature Of the thing incredible
that School Board concentrating in itself SO much
powcs ability, and experience. should be pushed |
lsde repressed in favor 81 denominational |
agencies, however excellent in themselves The |
argcr and more public authority must inevitably |
command the greater share OF confidence, and only
he most egregions bnnders could have seriously !
shaken tue position Of the Board. No such blum
1ers can be alleged against it; while, on the other
'de, the language OF some conspicuous representa-
ives OF the Church party has been reckless and |
.ven offensive. The lesson will be sharp one but
was greatly needed and 1t only remains that the
lew Board make moderate use Of their increased |
trcngth. lis clear they will receive unstinted
npport in rendering the elementary education OF
he metropolis ''suttcient and Efficient" and they
'pve only to guard against gratuitous extravaganza
The Church. IL she is wise will concentrate her |
forts ON rendering her own schools ~ efficient As
'oasib:e. and will for the future abandon posi-