New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-03-19
THE TPAINING or TEACHERS.

A wear ago TIE TRIBUNE had the pleasure
of describing at some length the organization
and work of tho New-York College for the
Training of Teachers, and commencing II
heartily to the interest and support OF this
community. 1t was then justly praised as AZ
institution which had made itself an indis-
pensablc part of our educational system IN q
remarkably short tIme without accidental al
vantagcs, Dut solely by demonstrating its abll
ity to supply an urgent demand. The record
of the last wear has confirmed every favorable
Judgment and satisfied all reasonable tests
The official recognition of stability was be-
slowed last December, when the provisional
charter was made absolute At that time, at
tho suggestion of the Regents, the name OF the
institution was changed to Teachers College,
and under that wisely abbreviated title it con-
tinues its extremely interesting and useful
career with new advantages of position and
constantly increasing resources.
A fact which will be generally regarded as
specially significant of the estimate put upon
the college by the most competent judges is It's
formal alliance with Columbia lately com
plctcd. The Columbia authorities, while from
the first deeply interested and cordially dis
POSED, properly regarded the training school
as an experiment for which they ought not to
become responsible in any degree until It's
ability to maintain itself had been established.
Tho last year has furnished conclusive proofs,
and the young institution now enjoys all the
benefits Of close utilization with the old
year ago the Teachers College had obtained by
gift from one of its trustees an ample and ad-
mrable site adjoining the new site OF Co.
lumbia. and there its main building Is now
going up. For the construction and equipment
of this building $4,000 has been raised and
of the required sum of 100000 additional
S55, 900 has been pledged. This Is certanl,
an encouraging prospect for the main building
though less brilliant than that OF the Mechanic
Arts Building, for the construction and equip
mcnt of which tho sufficient sum OF 100000
has been given outright by 4 lady who imposes
this single condition, that her name shall not
DO disclosed to the public. 1t is obvious that
an institution which has so quickly created
such confidence and attachment must possess
extraordinary merits. 1t is obvious also that
il requires and has a right TO claim the support
of wider circle lis resources have grown
rapidly. and its earning capacity has increased
in greater ratio than its expenditures. but there
is still an excess Of outlay over earnings which
must be met by free-will offerings. This con-
dition OF existence and the essential means Of
growth the officers Of the college and all who
have heretofore cOntri buted in money and labor
to its development hope and believe this great
community will supply.
This expectation is not unreasonable. The
past 10 large extent guarantees the future.
The profound interest which the college has
enlisted is far more likely TO increase and spread
than TO contract and diminish, not only be-
cause this particular institution is conspicu
ously deserving, but because the tremendous
importance Of the work in which it is engaged
is constantly obtaining wider recognition. The
idea that almost anybody is good enough to
teach children has been prevalent and per-
sistcnt in the United States. These are en-
courasing indications that a great number Of
persons are simultaneously coming to . con-
scousness Of the fact that it is deplorably
false idea and that the National security and
welfare are largely dependent upon the com
plcte eradication OF it and the application Of
a directly opposite creed