The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-04-06
BOARD OF EDUCATION.

BOARD OF EDUCATION.
MORE SPACE AND AIR FOR CHILDREN IN THE
PUBLIC acknowledgements ArR OF THE
NORMAL coLLEGE--A LIVELY DEBATE ON
THE SEVENTH WARD TRUsTEEsHIP.
Tho regular meeting OF the Board OF Education was
held yesterday, President Wood in the chair
A communication was received from tho woman's
Centennial Union asking permission to raise, In each
OF the schools, subscriptions 10 establish permanent
fund to found medals Of honor TO be presented annually
Tor distinguished scholarship This, IL was said, would
be fitting memorial Of tho active participation Of
these schools the celebration OF tho Centennial and
would promote educational interests Referred to tho
Committee Bylaws
communication read from two engineers, con-
demnng the atmosphere of tho Normal College
Training school as poisonous.
The clerk then read communication from the Com.
mittee Of the MedcoLega Society, appointed to con-
fer with tho school authorities with view to icgis-
lation promote tho health OF the school children.
The committee suggested, in regard tho OF
air space required that the principals OF schools zeal
in thor desire for large number or pupils, and in
their competition in this respect with nelghboripg
schools, orcn, also, urged and harassed by the
slant importantly parents have, in many instances,
crowded their class rooms by admitting moro pupils
than they could properly accommodate. Such crowd
Ing not consistent with physiological laws with
the opinions OF tnosc whose scientific Judgment was
entitled dccrencc Entering into scientific anay-
OF the atmosphere in the schools the communi-
cation goes to show the delcterous
effects OF an excess Of carbonic acid
gas in the air Upon inquiry Of teachers, the commit
learned that II not uncommon for children to
lot fever or measles, and that there was no surve
lance whatever in this regard for the protection OF the
schools against contagious diseases The minimum
age for admission to the school should the committee
believed, DO eight They regarded confinement and
labor In school in constrained positions and breathing
bad the tender age Of less than eight years
being destructive to both physical and mental powers
and in every aspect wholly ncxcusabe. For the same
reasons they would make three hours tho maximum
daily attendance upon tho primary departments Of
schools Every individual actually posons fifteen
cubic feet Of every hour Thirty cubic feet leas
should be provided hourly, which proportion for five
hours daily school requires $50 cubic feet as
the smallest space compatible with efficient venttla
ton, without dangerous exposure TO draughts
Referred to the Committee on Heating and ventila-
tion.
Tho report OF tho Superintendent OF Truancy from
March 10 TO April 4 showed the total number or
investigated by the agents 1850 Of this number
and non-attcndants, OF which number 3l7 have been
returned and placed in school, and two committed 10
the care OF the Society for the Reformation OF Juvenile
Dclinqucnts.
ovERcRowpTNG THE SCHOOLS
Commissioner West presented report from the
Committee on Bylaws, Elections and Qualifications
relative 10 the capacity OF the school buildings and
class rooms and the subject was made the special
der Tho report set forth that after careful consd-
GRAFTON OF the report referred to tho committee and Of
the whole subject TO which II pertains, thcy arc
satisfied that many OF the class rooms, partcu.
t.-t.. Hans
are much too crowded The report suggested
tho amendment OF section 49, page 90 OF tho Man.
ual, by adding thereto tho following At the foot Of
page io4-ia l, shall DO the duty Of every principal
TO reject all applications for the admission Of pupils
into any school or class whenever the room occupied
BY the is filled TO the extent OF its sitting
pacity. In fixing tho sitting capacity Of tho fol-
lowing shall be = minimum allowance OF floor surface
and air space per pupil1n the three lower grades of
primary schools and departments square feet and
seventy cubic feet in the three higher grades six square
feet and eighty cubic feet in the Jour lower grades OF
grammar schools, square feet and 90 cubic feet; In
tho four higher grades square eet and 100 cubic feet
In the admission OF pupils those resoing the nearest
10 any school shall In all have the preference
All rejected applicants shall be to tho nearest
school having accommodation for them"
Commissioner Halstead submitted that, while no was
not opposed the adoption Of the report thought
It matter OF great Importance and should not DO
acted upon hastily
Commissioner West cited several instances OF over
crowding and contcndcd that tho report should DO
adopted
ing OF the schools could not In some be helped
They might we'll try 10 regulate overcrowdng in tho
street cars as In somc Of the schools. II The Board
prepared 10 expcnd half million Of dollars for
improvng tho condition Of tho schools then the
port might be adopted.
Commissioners Goulding warmly advocated tho adop-
ton OF the report He said he did think there
could be any parallel between this law intended TO be
adopted and the law winch governed the city railroad
In the there was frequently not standing
room but up TO this time the schools had not reached
such dcplorabe condition. The question arose
whether a certain number OF children werc 10 be
hudd died wit
they DO permitted 10 enter properly ventilated
schools for the purpose Of being instructed. Tho law
in question referred particularly 10 the primary de-
partment OF the grammar schools.
Commissioner Hazeltine said that although he
ter forward, he thought there should be undue
haste
Commissioner Walker moved an amendment after
the words 100 cubic foot mat the seating capacity
In accordance with tho provisions Of tho law DO con-
spcuousy posted In each room Adopted.
m scnc n a na' nc rep''s o. tho
missioner Fuller
Mr. Mathcwson submitted that as tho representa-
vcs OF the people, tho Board should not hesitate
moment 10 pass this important measure
Commissioner Schclls motion was then put and lost
BY large majority.
President Wood then announced tho original resolu.
ton on tho adoption Of tho report, which was carried
amid applause, Commissioners Hazctnc, Halstcad,
Fuller and schc voting In the negative
Tng yAcASr rRusrExsHIr oy rnE SEVENTH WARD.
ponmens Of Mr. Thaddens Morisr,y as one of Of tho
school trustees OF the Seventh ward, vico Mr.. l. g.
Goulding one OF the Commissioners OF Education.
Commissioner Hazeltinc SAID that although The re-
port set forth that 1--WE members OF tho committee had
voted for Mr. Moriarty there could be found only
four who would state how they voted, and there APP
p arcd to be mistake about the matter he moved
that II be referred back to the committee.
Commissioner West said he a member OF the
committee that voted Tor Mr.. Noriarty, and he could
positively assert, under oath II necessary, that the
gentleman received Ave votca Ho paid high tribute
10 the personal character and standing OF Mr. Morary
and submitted that the proposition to refer tho matter
back 10 tho committee was improper.
Commissioner Fuller thought rs there seemed to be
doubt about the affair II would be we'll for the
committee TO reconsider u
Commissioner GouIdng delivered vigorous address
In support Of the committees recommendation. He
did not hesitate 10 say and he responsible for what
he said, that undue influence had brought bear
against Mr.. Morariy and IN favor Of somebody who
would be prepared to advocate certain interests IN
certain school, He demanded vote on the question,
that IL might be exactly where they stood. Ito
1cp hat pdo mild