New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-11-18
DEFECTS IN THE SCHOOLS.
u0WTHEY MAY BE REMEDIED.
QUESTIONS OF HEALTH. ONER-CkOWDlNu
AM EXCESSIVE EXPENDITURE.


Tho article on the needs of the city schools
unfinished in THE TRIBUNE last sunday was
much discussed during the week by members OF
tbo BOARD of Education, by prominent tax
pavers. and especially by the people Directly
affected by the overcrowded scnoois;
Mayor Edison and William Dowd pointed
ort serious defects in the system
Commissioner Wood said that salaries were
not excessive, and that the cry about poor ven
tiIotion was good deal of humbug. Presl-
dent Walker showed the helplessness OF the
BOARD in regard to transferring teachers. JOhn
Reilly favored giving the Board OF Euuca''on
all it asked for-Si, 431,95O.
Another instalmcnt of interviews on these
ond kindred questions has been obtained. Pres
ident Asten wants more economy. Controller
Grant ia surprised at some oil the SALARIES paul
Suncrirtendent Jasper insists on the necessity
of having more schools. DR.. Bell describes INC
sanitary condition of the buildings, ana MI.
DeyOe shows what can be done with S3oo'ooo
in increasing school accommodations tms year.
MD AsTEN RELIEVES In RETRENCHMENT.
Thomas u. Asten president Of the Department OF
Toxes and Assessments is member of the Board OF
Estimate and Apportioument. A TRIBUNE reporter
asked him il the budget Of the Board OF Educatlon
was likely TO receive much attention before the
final estimate was made. -
Several provisional estimates were hurrieu
through replied Mr.. Asten, with INC
understanding that they should be care
fully reviewed before final action was
taken. and among them was that Oh INC
Board of Education. can assure you that IL WIZ
not pass next month so hurrledly. thlhh 'h''
half million dollars is sufficient Tor new schooiS'
and that three and half millions are enough ioi
the expenses of the present schools. III taxes .i,o
rnoninous vote of the Board of Estimate TO decide
upon any budget, and 1t is my impression lhat II II"
ottcmpt is made to restore the estimate for educa-
tion TO its original figures that no appropriation
wn be made | think that instead OF IN
creosinO the salaries of the Boards employees
and the professors in the colleges they should DE
reduced. Mr.. Jasper is an able man, but thihk
his present salary is too high, and the Board IS now
trying 70 raise il thousand dollars why shouiu
Mr. Davenport be paid $500 by the Board LOT
onditinp its accounts when the City Auditor only
receives $4,000.
last wear felt that the Board of Estimate
ourht TO be enlightened on the school question: anu
20 Mr.. Wood was invited to be present but an
sorry TO say with all lis years ofeXporence III schoo
matters he seemed tC have only one ldea-'ho ocn-
eft 70 be derived from the Normal college TIC
drew graphic picture Of poor widow daughter
who married well because she graduate OF the
Normal College, and gave other interesting
EXAMPLES of the good accomplished by that insiitu-
ton. On the contrary think that the real Dene-
Gts of the school system in this city are derived
from the urinary schools and tho teachers IN those
schools should be better paid than they are. lh're
| orobt n he more new schools, but here is one OF
bc results Of increased appropriations by the Board
! of Estimate The first thing the Commissioners 40
il 70 increase the salaries Of few OF the hlghe't
/ officers.
cone of the arguments which we met from
! the Board of Education Is that the books and sup
niles given 70 the scholars the increase IN the cost
of sites and the higher rate Of living IN this CITY,
are reasons why a much larger relative approrrla-
tion sbould be made than Is made in brooklyn
and other cities One day sai1 :
Deduct the amount paid for books and sup
niles take ont III" difference in the price OF real cs-
tate make allowances for the increased cost OF liy-
! inc here and when that was done 10y one ol thclf
| me;,Lcrs the percentage per scholar was huoh
! LARGER here than in brooklyn and elsewhere am
r.ne1tcllv told that in my opposition 10 the cAc'',
sye demands for money by the hoaTa an
! tavcs' And nearly unc-scycuth OF the "hoic
amount askci for from the Board Of AppoItohmcAl
! tbis year is for the schools.
| in asking for Sl35,ODo 7. -, ,
! annually to $50 600, hut the authorities d"h I
dare to be too persistent, fearing that inc ACT may
! he rcueaIed One year they demanded the full
amount We refused, il aud the Legislature COM
! pcllcd us TO give them the TlJOuOo.