New-York tribune., 1882-02-28
rHE CITYS PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

WHAT Mr.. wAGKER. MAYOR GRACE AND sUrER1N-
TENpENr JASPER THINK ABOUT AsSEMBLYMAN
GIBBONS BILL.
David Gideon, who keeps q grOgShOp In
the XIth Assembly District. and having this necessary
oualncaiion is the Democratic representative from
that district in the Assembly introduced short time
ago bill to egsate out Of Office the members OF the
rrcsen Board OF Education and TO authorize the Mayor
20 appoint twenty-four Commissioners, one to be
taken from each Assembly District The Committee
On Cities has reported the bin fayoraby, without
giving those Interested in the measure an oppor-
funity for hearing This action bas caused some as
tonshment among the school officials and II is expected
that the Board Education at its meeting on Wednes
day take action TO send protest to the Legs
lsiure against the passage Of the bill.
Stephen 4. Walker president OF the Board OF Educa-
ton was asked by TRIBUNE reporter yesterday for his
opinion OF the bill. 1T II an attempt TO change the
present system OF conducting the public schools" he
ssid, with purpose, too | suppose OF getting
certain men out Of Office and Others in. Such
change would not, in my opinion, be beneficial TO the
schools Under present system local interests are
cared for hy the trustees who live the districts They
appont teachers make contracts and expend the school
rnoueys their districts The school inspector In each
district "A check the trustees The Board of Eiuca
lion an appellate body far local interests
concerned II determines the course Of study acts on
the recommendations of trustees and gives general d
rections for the schools have conceived great ad
miration for the present system as a just
and fair one to all There is no call for or
need OF district representation in the Board. We
had that sysicm once ana II proved failure. Each
reprezcntaye u :.stTict expected 10 get all he
for his district, and rs result eChoOlhOuScS were
built IN The wrong and where not needed, aud we
are suffering to-day from the effects OF thdt manage
fneut IT, some parts ~ the city We have too many
school houses aud not enough IA other paris should
NOT mind being Iegislatcd Of Office, and Other Com
tnissoners feel the same; but do not think there
shouil Ice any change in The present system
Ma or Grace said that he not consulted III regard
g. al gl IIr
The Hoard Of Education" be added, "ls now
composed Of eminently qualified for their trusts
Ghv should change Satisfactory system - expert
Iuent with new one what advantage can there be III
appoinfiug from Assembly Districts for sucn a
Tiaoeg appointment Of school H,nIll-19ners ihe
MayOr has now HE sole power htHcc tht EoOd results
II Would only hamper him 10 cOnune us appointment
10 Assembly Districts. Then the Board Is too large now,
suc tbs D prOpOseH Increase the number OF mem
bers some members OF The gi,a.uIe have asked my
opinion Of tue bill since its introduction nave how
ever paid lcSh attention to pubic school matters man 20
other druaf Iucnts, ~ 50 likely 10 De lnlsujged u
anything 1 ulay ray do ia regard to Tie puDlc
schools"
Superintendent Jasper coud reason for making
cha the system. lbe existing BOA Il
A. doing we'll" he sad The schools successful, and
why should there be changct think these annual
attempts 10 Dkcr the Laws relating to the pubic school
eystem Of the city not only foolish bat injurious.
Why sh0uid We have district representation IN the Board
Uf Education II s opposed administer be school Laws
for the bcbCht OF tie city ~ whole, and does do it, II
dis Tic then each Will try
mach possible Tor s district, and
easily De Iut trustees represent The dis
tries They appoint all teachers PRINCIPALS, the
only check their acton being ne TACT tt II
San the teachers 10 have certificates from he Ci
Superintendent their being qualified Tie Board
also promptly acts all reasonable requests OF the
trustees. There Is no call for any charge"