New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-11-19
WHO WILL BE APPOINTED BY Mr.. HEWITT
HOW THE SCHOOLS WILL BE AFFECTEb BY The
CHOICE OF MIssIONERs-ILI~FEEL-
ING IN THE BOARD

ING IN THE BOARD
Mayor Hewitt has sent communications to the
principals of all the public schools In the city, ASKING
them to inforr. him how frequently the school com
mssioners an6 inspectors are In the habit Of visit
ing the schools Each principal Is requested to refer
TO the visitors book, in which the names OF me
visitors and school officials are written when they
como TO the schools. This measure Is regarded as an
effort on the part OF the Mayor 10 find TO what extent
the officials are interested In their duties, that ne
may be guided in making the appointments WHICH
he sends TO the Board Wednesday.
The schools are divided into groups every year, ana
each group is assigned to OF the twentyone com
mIseioners for his attention There are regular
times for visiting there but he IS SUPP osed to Keep
himself thoroughly informed the needs OF MS
group, and to maintain general supervision oN'r
them. Some of the commissioners, Ike Wili'ali
Wood Mrs Agncw and Miss Dodge, are continually
visiting their own schools and others but there are
MANY whose visits do not exceed two or three year.
but whose duties are confined to board and committee
work The register in tho schools, however, VIII
give a onesided showing. the officers who are most
frequently in the schools rarely register their names,
While those that come at long intervals inVaapy uo
So The movement on the part of the Mayor is con-
sdered have been suggested by those lntereSeu Ill
the Public School Reform Association, which was Or
ganized last spring This association has no felaaoh
with the school officials, but of the teachers are
members and many Of the commissioners regard lis
purposes favoiably. BY others It Is Thought 10 DC
directed by the minority which is regarued as
disturbing faction of the Board To this element Is
attributed the of great influence at present 10
prevail on Mayor Hewitt TO appoint commissioners
whom it favors that It may majority In the
Board counsels next year. Seven appointments are
TO be made and If the present minority secures these
members It will control the Board. The most active
among these members Henry l.. Spraguc, H.
Walter Webb Henry Schmitt and the women commits
sioners.
The feeling has become extremely bitter between
the two sides 1t is maintained that the members in
the minority have little knowledge Of and no sympathy
with the public school system, which they assume 10
be irving TO reform Their training has been
in colleges and private schools, and they look upon
the public school system charitable Institution.
The charges against Superintendent Jasper originated
with the minority, and II argued that their methods
are demoralizing TO the school interests They are
conducting general investigation Of the present
methods which, fl said instead of being broad, Is
narrow and personal and stlll directed against the
Superintende and other officers Of the Board. On
their part the minority insists that the system has
fallen into ru tina, it Is behind the systems OF other
cities in this country. and that II is yearly becoming
so much more cumbersome and expensive that 1t will
be utterly demorallzed in a few years II the abuses
are not corrected.
some of the older members. having become tired
of Withdrawing from the Board. President simmons
and Nj. VcImilye have both said that they viii send
IN their designations within few months. The OPP
position is preparing itself to force The Issue which
il has made minority, and whether 1t secures the
new appointments Or not. Will male stronger fight
in the B0aid. II will oppose Mr. Smmons's re-
election for president In January, putting forward
Commit .siOncr Robert NJ. Galloway, and If he Will not
accent Henry l.. Spraglc. who IS considered one Of
the ables members of the Board. The commissioners
whose terms cxpirs are Charles Crazy William Wood
f. J. H. Tamsen. Miles NJ OErel, Ferdinand fraud
and William Lummis Those who know the Mayor
think mat he win crafty either side by naming
all I'm irS
has been I'm regard to the women. He has positively
refused TO name any women for the Board.