New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-02-13
CITY SCHOOL COMMISSIONERS.
,p1rA FOR TIE WELLS BILL.

n IIFA GOK 1llIs W l|Li|' biN-
APPOINTMENT CITIZEN GIVES STRONG REASONS ~
sUPPoul OF TIE PLAN TO CHANGE THE MODE
or ArPoiNrING SCHOOL COMMISSIONERS
To the razor Of Ths Trfbn"e'
SIN I'm vour article Of Saturday on " ne
prcson, school system and what the Commissioners
T,i,k M succested Changcs." the opinions OF 'hree
Commissioners are given Now Il you VIII aHo| your
renorter 10 interview the Commissioners upon WIN.
they know OF tie educational system OF 'he o'''
ard print their replies, you VIII oe oolnE gu"
servico to ,ur cnz.ns OF TIE three gentlemen
whose names appear is old school "hcer pu' MS
whole course is an illustration Of the FOLLY OF the present
svster donbt IL he has visited three schools OUTSIDE
Of his Vn Ward during the past year The o'her wv"
have had no experience, except in the BOafo oi Hu
ton that Qualities them to pass on the merits VI '"o
BIZ before the Legislature. One OF them couh" no
doubt make important revelations as 10 Wha' re A"
otont the noee business in this city. The other Is
gentleman whose active law practice has aHorueu nv"
very little opportunity for the examination OF any o'ne
question tnan the one tending disproye the Vaue u
Browns Grammar as a text book .
No ono expects that the present Commissioners VIII
apnlaud bill witch dispaces them. The proposed Ia"
aims TO place the school ystem Of the city somewhat III
accord With the system IN the state at large In Ina'
svs.c tie element of representation has been pre-
served since its organizations In over twelve towns ana
school districts in this state the trustees and Boards OF
Education are ecclive-are local. are represen-
tative are IN close sympathy with the people
II is In contemplation give each ward OF our cy' "
limited degree the privilege enjoyed by eacn sc"oo'
district outside Of the city and brcsk up system
permits a Mayor to fiji up Board of Education win
hs personal and political trends without an'
to their fitness or qualifications.
The Office OF Commissioner must cease to he mere
ornamental position aud Commissioners should be men
who have by actual contact with the daY I'VE oi tue
schools learned to understand the wants OF children
and duties OF teachers. To secure this, the Coluns
sinners sbould owe and feel responsibility 10 con
s,itucncy How many OF the present Board nave ever
been IN o school below Fourteenth-si.i And yet half
of our population resides below that street
4 evstem is bad which permits Mayor To appoint
seven Commissioners (ono-third OF tire Boarp from Que
district and utterly ignore district having more sono"s
than any other in the city, Experience mas proved 'na
school trustees who have served In euch cAp'cl'F
reasonable length Of time. make good Commissioners
This If the chief feature OF The new law IL secures men
of capacity and experience for the most important Ou
mess OF the city Can 1t claimed that the Mayor sur
rounded he by pressure for place. can exercise inc
same careful discrimination Board of Trustees o.
Ward, having not only an intimate knOwtnRe OF ,ic
OF The duties to he performed bu thooueh OPP
portunty TO know the performers thcmseIyesI .. o,,
The proposed bill instead oi opening tne door 10 pol
ticaus absolutely excludes any person holding a Ios
tion of emOlument under the CITY, STATE OF NhtonHI
Government Commissioner walker Is ,cPoitcu a.
saving maj the present system IL working admirably
ask hun, # he knows that under the present system
four-hfhs of the children are cOnnneu III he'I ciis
rooms from o'clock until ~ without recess
IN order To accomplish the work imposed nv the course
and grades OF study ask him 10 state what ne lhkH
of an admirable system that IA enieeblng ond cf'p
ping boys aud girls Of our continuity Oy sucn
niece OF barbar1sm Let the Legislature nnh ON nov
little the Board OF EiucaOn, ~ present constituted
knows of is work and there Will be hesitation To
pass the propo ed law.
WHY. Sir, before appointing even a manager OF n
buttu factory 1t would he required that the candidate
should at least have butt, ms made, ana know
some thing OF the qualities Of bone ivory ana neia
lut an Outcry Is immediately raised when II s insisted
that those who aud egslae Tor human neta' ana
bones should at least have famarzed themselves Tor
two wears with its growth aud development. Let us Pot
the power o. appointment o. Commissioners where u
can he exercised Win intelligence and judgment III s
sufficient that the Mayor should appoint the trustees
and Inspectors II Is all very well 10 say thht Inf ne
trustees 10 appoint the Commissioners VIII DE Ike he
tail wagging the dog. but good healthy dog Is rather
improved ny robust. vigorous talL Nlllhhh
Aelc- York, Feb. IL, 1880