New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-02-26
SCHOOL SCPERLNTENDENTS MEETING.
GEORGE WILLIAM CURTIS on PUBLIC SCHOOLS
AND CIVIL SERVICE REFORM

GEORGE WILLIAM CURTIS on PUBLIC SCHOOLS
AND CIVIL SERVICE REFORM
Philadelphia. Feb. 25.-At this mornings session OF
The department Of superintendent. National Educa-
tl1nal Association. Dir. James MacAhstcr, eNsuperl"
tendent Of the public schools in this city, ana now
president of the Drexel Institute, made an address on
3" Art Education in the Public Schools" lie spoke
Of the growing sentiment in favor Of carrying the
higher education among the poorer classes. lie men
toned the new movements in education, particular
Hlne the kindergarten system, physical training exc
mcrtTy science, manual training, study OF history
and art. and saving that these things must all come
into the public school. The speaker said that art
caucation was the least understood and the social
economy Of the people was lamcntably wanting in
the appreciation Of the subject OF beauty. Not uhtI
art education was viewed in the broader aspects
could ii take its proper place.
r. VI. Ballet, Of Springfield, Mass, was the next
speaker. and. after entering into a clear and forci-
bio dcicnco of the subject. he gave way to Virgil C.
Curtis. An essay upon Sc The Highest Office of Draw
irc7 was read by Frank .Aborn. teacher of drawing
in the public school, Of Cleveland. Ohio. l.. W. Day,
city superintendent Of Cleveland; Charles Z. Gordon.
city superintendent Of NonkcrS, y. V, and II. $.
Jones. city superintendent Of Lincoln, Neb., took up
HE subject.
Vt the afternoon session the committee appointed
IT last session Ia consider the matter Of school sta
i-tics made a fcp1,t, which was generally discussed.
A. Goa, evenings session George William Curtis
read a paper on The Publ.c. school and CIyil Scryl.1
Reform Ntcr explaining the reason and the method
# CviI service Reform and answering the familiar
objection, urged against it. Mr. Curtis said
!, lot every orgymcnt for The appointment Of the Great
rcly Of mini,t,ria! officers % the Government by fitness and
character wisely a,cCrtainrd Infinitely stronger when 81.
pi6d o. the selection Of school-tcachc'sl And II the 5o-
lection u those officer, bN methods which secure their iad"-
pc.d0ucr. promote their -clfrc~lcct and stimulate u'ir in
t.s'-t and z,al. instead II destroying. greatly increases tho.
efficiency Of the pubic service, 'lcvatc- the tone Of publ
employment and removes a ruroacl from the National
name. o., 10 to bc Appreciated that similar care would harm
the tharaci.r and nticpcy Of The public schools In
Other branches Of the public sc'yicc. wlatcyer objections
may be- urged aralu.; the reformed system Of appointment.
70 is urCDniably better than the system which IL %suppl'nt~.
Toactc,hiIs I'm the schools are not ropular!y REGARDED a,
subjects al patronage. Hu, are they not 20 practically. and
{, 1t wiz that they shorld remain so' What Is the present
sy,tcm: ! believe that the requirement o. certtllcot!on or
license before appointment i universal IN all the states %
the Union. The c>aulration Upon whicl, The Certificate or
license ISSUES is the cardinal point. Hy whom generally
,p,lking. l. this cAor nation conducted
By city Boards Of Education and County Commissioners.
or trustee, OF committees. who are appointed by poli'lril
officer. or nominated by PARTY conventions these are the
authorities who examine and certify or l'
ccn-c and appoint more than :" per cont
%, tn teachers. i thls a reasonable manner
n securing public officers qualified for dutcs so delicate
and important a. those Of teacher, IN the public schools
The officer. who are elected N conduct examinations
md lc,n~, and employ teachers are VIGOROUSLY Often
elected without any regard whatever TO their special
qualifications Tor q responsibility ~ lfat ANU VT ""'
20 vital. II IS probably true that the great multl.
tgdo of officers appointed u conduct examinations how
ever well disposed, are totally unified properly TO con-
duct them.
The dignity. the influence. the power, Of the teacher
oelco a, lncalcuiabc. l. any public duty moro tram,
cendlnt than that II enabling the dutcs Of Tat once to p
d.chirgcf nors sat,a. torly. Of constantly clcNatlns D.
| both In the respect n him who Ills ID ana N inc conn.
dcnce and honor Of the pt bile Tor whom he holds II! >haI
a., .,,r. any thought. any Effort. any cost To MAKE th.
| hubble school what We mean 70 10 BE- the cornerstone oil
| ti, ever lorIcr AID more splendid structure oil poIsirll
| liberty. and To uI-.., upon the teacher by our Sympathy
| and care the central Truth Of The school system '"', u'
child A., educated by tn state. not that he may I'au ana
writ. only. but that the trtinod power ana noble "t''i'
| cence Of the American citizen may tend constantly moro
| and moro t. purity and prrpctu1ie the American HepuOHc'