The New York herald., 1878-02-07
A COSTLY SYSTEM.
Grievous Waste and Extravaganza
Attributed to 1t.
NEW YORK COLLEGE.
Why It's Abolition Should Be
Seriously Considered.
TEACHERS SALARIES REDUCED.

Some time ago. when the question OF tho cost OF tho
public schools Of this city exciting unusual at
lcnlon, the Society of Municipal Reform appointed q
committee investigate the system OF public educa-
tion with to discovering its faults and
abuses and suggesting tho necessary measures Of
reform. Tho committee went to work at once, and
after long and preparation presen follow
ing report at the last special meeting OF the society
1t accepted ami ordered TO be printed aud Will be
distributed pamphlet form to members of the Leg.
sature ana others authority. The report first CON-
plains of the excessive the public sch ools and
recommends partial reduction of salaries 1t also
suggests the investigation OF the Normal School, the
College OF the City OF New YORK and the Nautical
School.
Your committee having been asked to investigate
he system OF public education in the city OF New
York with view 10 the correction OF abuses and The
reduction OF expenses, wisn to say IN ali
tranSness at the outset. that they do not
tho role OF experts, qualified by
special and aptitude TO point technical de-
fects in the quality methods OF education, such,
furnished by system. They come private citizens
merely, IN no negardy spirit, but IN common sense
lashion. TO inquire II the moneys raised 10 maintain
The system any wasted, still iurther
If the system itself lays upon the taxpayers OF Now
York city an UNJUST burden, IN violation OF natural
rgnls and the necessities OF a sound public policy
Assuming the present system OF free education be
altogether just one, we may search for abuses here
apd there amid the details of administration
dnd 1t may te. aggregate OF saving worth the
having; or taking WIDER vew we may look TO soc If
any features OF the system seem open TO lar oblec
hon, as themselves abuses calling Tor well considered
and possibly heroic treatment. Let us briefly do
both.
geEticmen serve without pecuulary reward IN nc.
mnistering system OF which they not the build
ers, and give with enthusiasm much valuable tmo and
hearty for the good OF their fellow citizens To
them praise and honor are due Tor their zcaous and
efficient labors. They stand at the head OF large
band OF patient workers who, though little noticed by
tho passing worid, are spreading broadcast leaven
which Is TO work through and build up The very
framework of our social structure. These too, the
vital lorces OF the system, are worthy all praise
IL were strange, however, IT. during the trying Pc
Rcd oi lfation and crazy waste now drawing 10
Close the system of educaIiOn, or indeed, the Board
OF Education had altogether escapeds contagion;
and II now, Inc Wild debauch ended, there
were here no place Tor rcadjustment and
reform. The Board OF Education, partly from
lis own inner consciousness, stimulated, perhaps, by
sprpklinRs OF criticism through the public press and
other channels, Is evolving slowly The spirit
OF economy. Out OF opposing counses within will
a0ubticss come judicious retrenchment IN sympathy
with altered conditions aud the intoierable burdens
pi eneeblcd taxpaying community. This report
nas taken as basis for inquiry hsures and facts set
orh In the report OF tho Board oi Education tor 1876
As the figures Tor 1877 are shortly 10 APP
,eis reduced expenditure in direction
ior tho coming year, it is quite possible that some
Items OF unnecessary expense to which aluson Is
here made may not appear or will show q reduction
and do not propose to weary you with long
lines OF ngares, which have OF late done iailn-
u service again aud again In the public prin.s,
.
but IN desuory way 10 rather indicate the direction
IN winch we may look Tor possible curtaiment with.
out IN all cases atemptint state precisely IN ngures
the full effects thereof
COST or THE SCHOOLS
The amount raised IL the city oil New York in $40
tor educational purposes was as tolows:-
State school tax paid to the state OF New
Less amount OF state scnool tax appor-
tiOncd 10 the county OF New York;. 500, ,63l IS
Paid by city account Of the State.. y07, ,362 70
sum apportoned TO the Board OF Educa
ton by the Board OF Estimate and Ap-
portioDment IN New YORK city. ........ 1888, 900 90
1860, S52 67
Fer City College, raised by special assess
mcnt. nt.....,...-........ 100, 900 90
Total amount raised by the city OF
New York in 1876 for educational
purposes. ...,..S4 $40. 352 OF
TAX.
The collection and OF the State tax for
school purposes SHOULD be promptly revised. The
tax Is imposed according to the valuation OF property
one-hai of The entire State tax, or. to
be accurate. sl,5oa.9si GU. of s3,Os2 ss4.
In 1876 The apportonment among the counties IS.
however, based upon attendance and the number Of
teachers employed, which gives New York county
f596,t3l only. As now distributed the State TAX
s practcaiy premium lor parsimony OH the
part oi certain counties, wherein IT is permitted
or the state at large 10 expend more money on local
schools than the Inhabitants themselves are willing 10
contribute New YORK raised in 1875 SO. 900 600 Tor
school purposes IN addition to her share of
the Stale Tax. The other counties of the
State taxed themselves $4,000, 900 Tor school pur-
poses. The apporiioDmeut OF school moneys sh ould
IA matter o Justice and expedency, be made
respond more nearly with the burden voluntarily
assumed 10 the respective counties AS the local
school taxes amounted to about 600 in tho
StaIe, and the state lcvied by anu appor
toned among the counties was nearly 50, 0O000O,
the ratio distribution should ye been bs
OF the raised by local rates. and NeX Yorns share
would have been almost double ou nj actually
allowed 10 establish the more equitable method,
legislation is necessary aud the Senators and
members oil Assembly representing Now York
city should be called upon To inrtber such am end
a
TO New YORK oil a lair share OF the State tax
The following table will illustrate the neaua ,itics
the present system. The igures are taken
from The report OF the Superintendent of Public
Instruction i0r the ycar enuiug September 90 1876
and New York include the local tax Ior 1875. -
CONTRIBUTION Apportion-
10 Bient Of