New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-07-24

well as by school officers. which require considera'
ton for the best interests Of the schools
In most cities there Is only one board which con
trols the schools. uniting all the functions Of trustee
and commissioner This Is the system uSeu III
BROOKLYN where the board consists Of forty-fve. In
stead Of twenty-one members as in New-York. There
are many objections TO the present board as not
ho,pp representative Commissioner Strauss and
several OF his associates favor small central Board
OF not more than half the present number. but n
still larger number OF trustees which shall represent
tbe locality OF every school in the city, these trustees
10 transact all the details in relation to their par
ticuar schools while the central board Itself would
then have nothing but the general direction OF the
business to look after. As II is now commissioner
has so many business affairs, details,
and committee work to consider that to
attend to them properly requires too
much OF the time OF the class OF men whom IL
IS desired to select for this Office. Suggestions have
been made that two three members be appointed
os n central board TO be paid regular salaries Tor
their services. This has been opposed In many
quarters on the ground that II would be destructive
OF the representative character OF school interests
and would tend TO bring the Office TO one OF mere
poitcal prefermen.. The only experts, IT Is main
tanned required in the school system who should
ho maid are the experts educated and trained for
that purpose such a board OF experts now exists
In the school superintendent They know the needs
Of the schools better than any OUTSIDE persons cou'c
possbly learn except through q similar training IL
the commission goes into this question fully lis
conclusion may be that the character ana powers OF
tbc present Board Of Education should b. entirely
changed AT any rate. IL is expected that the COM
pisson will open It's sessions TO adj who have any
interests I'm the public schools. and TO listen care
fully TO those who have from observation or ex-
periencc practical ideas on the subject OF school
administration.
Gilbert H. Crawford, who has taken deep Interest
Ill NJ Tho nprd
NJ Edncaiion was one OF the prime movers In having
the commission appointed by Mayor Gilroy Mr..
| Crawford Is n native Of New-York and product OF
the public school system Although Rcpnblicah
his advice has frequently been listened to by Demo
Gratis Of influence. lie said to a Tribune reporter
a, his office No. 90 Broadway 81 regard the m'ti-
hers OF the commission appointed by Mayor "ilroy as
remarkably qualified TO perform their ou"es' r''
Euerv Anderson is most experienced trustee having
| been intimately associated With the pubic sehooi
system OF New-York City over twenty years. ana no
man has "A Better idea OF the needs ana the REQUIRE
mens Of our school system than he DaVld No'i"i
o,so T. an excellent school tristee He Is fair ana
liberal minded. DR.. Thomas Hunter pre'iu'h' VI
The Normal College. knows the public school system,
from A 10 T. lie has been teacher, prihcipai anu
president in New York City schools ana COLLEGES anu
/, nav fairly said that he has created 'he coN'S
which he has long been president r"p",
Olin IS a lawyer OF wide reputation ana mas ID,
fund OF knowledge. He leaves "a eoou n"P''
wherever ne goes and on whatever work he nhorr,
,or.s AIR straus is a man eminently qlaihed ior
the commission and combines WIDE exPrlence, MI
keen perception regard the appon,me o ri
commission as one OF lhe noS' 'ho"''"'"
in our municipal history ., ,yn,t ne con
In answer to the question ms " nrssent schoo
system and The changes that would pr r%ioyd said
ierra ~ many and serious defects In the pres,v,r
mode OF conducting the school system OF 'n and tos
There is too much power In some p'Aees INV