New-York tribune., 1885-07-05
THE APPOINTMENT OF MR. HARDY.
MAYOR GRACE WARNED TO KEEP HIS HANDS OFF
THE SCHOOLS.

MAYOR GRACE WARNED TO KEEP HIS HANDS OFF
THE SCHOOLS.
70 the Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR: have lust read the editorial headed
Hands on the Schools" In your issue or today ana
hasten to express my most emphatic Endorsement OF It.
n the facts are as you understand them to be, the
Mayors conduct cannot be too promptly or too
condemned 1t is, and should DO % % 70 pe'
simply intolerabe. 'ohN l. "'i"H"i'
Albany July 8, 1885.
TO the Ed,tor Of The Trtbune
SIR: The interference OF politicians with our
public school SYSTEM glaringy exemplined IN the
Board OF Education tho other day. should attract the
attention the next Legislature to tho end nat INC
laws for the City NewYor should be so amended as
TO avoid in the future any possibility Of re-occurrence
OF an act such as brought to the notice OF the
Board OF Education. The three trustees who SO
srenuously urged the appointment OF the boy principal
whom Mr.. Walker called "Mr. Graces man. arc
Joseph Koch. DR.. Simmons and Mr. Do"uhey'
Mr. Koch is a politician by profession he was recently
appointed by Mr. Grace as Dock Commissioner Ut;
Simmons was appointed by Mr.. Grace few days ago.
Commissioner OF Charities. Mr. Dowdney was elected nt
the last election to tho next Congress througn
the influence OF his fathern-law, Mt Crmmins whois
the intimate friend of Mayor Grace Why should these
men not do the bidding of the man who gave them their
official existence. and 1t may also be said placed Ill hcf
hands means for making livelihood
The Legislature should pass law prohibiting any per-
son holding municipal, state or even Federal ohce
filling the position of school Trustee Every sTe Ths
guard should be thrown around inc scnoo e , ,,
interference OF the Mayor IN every political DISH OF iae
simply remarkable bis Journeys TO ana from AIosny
and Washington, aud his appointments under tne
non-eonrm9s sysism' fenm paTcup Sus,ness have
shown that he is bad type OF politician as ever hea
the Office OF Mayor. Fernando Wood was JeweI wheh
compared him. The former at least dd NOT Patade
nnder The cloak Of a business man ana reformer-the
garb of Mr. Grace which has become TOO Transparent OF
ae To cover his All OF these. however, amount 10
little co impaired with his interference in matters pertain
ine 10 public schools and system OF education From
these. Mr. Walker says, politicians must kep te
hands or Let citizens by some pubic act snow Inae
they stand by Mr.. Walker. q. A. W.
hep- York. July a. 1850.
Richard Kely and I. =. Chambers. two OF tho h'o
School Trustees for the Nineteenth Ward, sent letter
to the Board OF Education May stating why they
dssented from the action Of the majority OF the trustees
NJ the mee,ngof May in reference TO tho nomination
Of George l.. Hardy principal OF School No. 81 In
expressing their disapproyal they said; III Vhe nom
inaton ignores the claims OF teachers who by long ana
faithful service are entitled TO tho first consideration
and who have earned a right 70 promotion We thuA u
unwise because IL establishes precedent destructive OF
those incentives TO excellence through which alone sat
isfactory discipline and scholarship are maintained.
We argue that tho schools built for the children,
and not Cor teachers and should DO obcere1 without
reference to the individuality OF influence OF can
didates. We Therefore desire 70 present Iur
the principalshlp OF Mr. Frank J.Coenar now
fr.i assistant M Grammar School No Is Mr. Coleman 8
record "A a teacher cannot be eNCcle1. Appoiiei lh
the Nineteenth lS72, ho taught the mira ghdc
for one year the grade for five years ana the
first grade for the last six years. never RECEIVING any
o,hrr mark than excellent His record as principal of
the evening school fOr six shows TIE sane Ie
! If merit is any claim to advancement Mr. Coleman Is
Justly entitled 10 promotion We Respectfully aak that
he receive fair consideration from your Board.