The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1891-10-28
The PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Proposed Amendment Of Bylaws
Governing School Committee.
IMPORTANT REFORMS IN VIEW.
III Adopted the Present Trading and Log
Rolling Practices VIII BE Abolished
and Greater Efficiency Will BE At
tained.

The recent muddle in the school COM
mittee, growing out of the appointment
OF teachers for the evening schools, has
so emphasized an existing evil that it has
moved members of the general school
committee TO take such steps as will pre-
vent not only repetition of the annoy
ances experienced in the direction indi-
Gated, but also much clashing of authority
end consequent confusion in special de-
partments of instruction.
Col Hunter c. White has proposed GER
tain amendments to the bylaws of the
school committee which, IL adopted, will
secure a reform in the methods of appoint
ing teachers through log-rolllng and trad
inS as between members OF the school
committee.
The present committee on qualifications
consists of one member from each ward.
An evening school committee is made up
the same way. By skillful work on the part
on two out OF three the ward committees,
(and by this is meant the committees who
look after political affairs only they can
secure their own election con both these
school committees The other sub-com-
mittees of the school committee are filled
6y appointments made by the president.
1he qualification committee has the
authority of electIng High school teachers
ana approving or rejecting evening school
appointments. Each member has been in
sistlng that the nominations he makes for
his district shall be endorsed by the whole
committee and he stands by the other
members when they make similar de-
mands for their districts. Appointments
have been made which in many instances
were improper because of the lack of
| qualification, and the responsibility for
these evils is denied by all of the general
| committee.
The committee on high schools is Sc
lected by the president with an especial
view TO their fitness TO pass upon matters
| pertaining To those schools; yet the sug
gestions of this committee are ignored,
their selections of teachers have not been
| opposed, and the committee has finally
come TO the conclusion that il is of no use
| To confer or advise with the committee on
| qualifications as to the fitness of those
| who apply for positions as teachers in the
| high schools.
II is not charged that the evening school
| committee are not men of good character,
| but the recently-made appointments and
the disturbances those appointments
created have demonstrated the corrupt
ness of the system under which the COM
mittee is working.
There are also the special instructors in
/ sewing, music and drawing. Each branch
| is in the special control of q separate COM
| mittee, and the work of the Instructors is
so faultily arranged for that there is con-
slant friction and clashing which is det-
rimental To the usefulness of the schools.
Col. White proposes, under the amend
ments to the bylaws, that there shall be
| committees each consisting of five mem
| bers, who shall have charge of the day
| schools, the evening schools, the high
school and the special teachers, each hav-
| ing the same power of nominating teach
| ers and appointing those who are To go on
| trial TO test their qualifications as in
| structors in their respective departments.
| As further safeguards, these department
| tai committees are to be appointed by the
president, and his appointments are To re-
ceive the approval of the general commit
| tee. Furthermore, the subcommittee
appointments of teachers are TO be sealed
| with the vote of the general committee.
The Superintendent of Public Schools
| is to made the executive officer OF the
scheol committee, and all official commun-
| ications, as between the school committee
| and the teachers, are TO be made through
him. This rule has already been adopted
| in the principal cities of the United States
and is found 10 be "A thorough check and
bar TO interference with teachers and
schools by committeeman who have politi-
cal axes to grind and who select the
friends of teachers and would-be instruc-
tors to turn the grindstone.
The bylaws are TO be considered by the
school committee next Friday evening.
This important piece of news will be pub
lished by the other newspapers to-mor-
row.