New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-07-08
BROOKLYN'S SCHOOL NEEDS.
THE NEW PRESIDENTS COMPREHENSIVE
IDEAS.
THE ELECTION OF swANsTRoM AND MAXWELL
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO BE IMPROVED


IN MANY RESPECTS
There was no outward sign at the meeting OF the
Board OF Education on Tuesday Of the intensity
OF the contest the Offices to be awarded by the
vote of the members especially for the Office Of
superintendent OF Public Instruction. AS was pre-
dicted in The Tribune the questions at issue had
been settled In advance and practically. only the
formal announcement of the result was left 10 be
made at the annual meeting. While Mr. Bouck re-
manned in the field candidate for the presi-
dency TIL the last II Is evident that he had little
hope OF winning against Mr.. Swanstrom. on whom
the opposition to him was concentrated, and his
efforts and the efforts OF his ardent supporters
were chiefly exerted in the direction OF defeating
Superintendent Maxwell. large amount OF hard
work was done TO prevent the reelection OF the
superintendent How much only those In the Sc
cret know. Some light Is thrown upon the sub
ject by the remark OF who was believed to
be In a position to influence some OF the members
OF the Board
The opposition to Mr.. Maxwell" said he left
no stone unturned TO bring about his defeat They
whether l wouldn't help
them out and It is easy TO see that II they did
this they left available means untried. Now II
happens that do not know Mr. Maxwell at all
personally and have never kept myself Informed
about the schools. since / have children TO at
tend and no direct personal interest in them.
know Mr.. Gunnison. and know that he is a very
fine fellow and would presume. make good
Superintendent. though / know nothing about his
executive ability. He has been school principal
for long time and has given good satisfaction in
that position. 1t is charged against Mr.; Maxwell
that he never teacher in the public schools
or anywhere else and that he secured mis- election
as assistant superintendent ten years ago. after
by skilful manoeuvrng; afterward he elected
Superintendent and then reelected three years
ago | am told. however that the schools have i'm
proved good deal under his direction. though the
teachers complain that he compels them TO spend
TOO much time in examinations and that sort Of
looked into the matter a little. l soon found that
Gunnison was the candidate OF the Mclaughlin
Ring. and that the Ring was exertng all its In
huence against Maxwell That was enough for me
| am against the Ring every time. so | was
maven Hs ~" man ana l am glad that ne has won;
trying to work the schools politically in the inter-
est OF the Ring. II Is good thing that he has been
That President swanstrom has progressive ideas
and an earnest purpose TO improve the schools is
Keynote Of Witch VAS We do not Intend ' to- rest
satisfied until have succeeded in placing the
OF efficiency among the public schools OF the land
He con,ended that too much was attempted in the
in the removal OF incompetent and superannuated
teachers-Of whom 1t is To be hoped that the num-
might be made by the reduction OF the amount OF
supervision in the schools; and.most important Of
a class OF more than sixty children. Mr.. Swan
strom also emphasized the need OF peter system
the continual introduction in the Board OF resolu,
a menace and declared 4 am unaIterabiy op-
posed the raising Of salaries until such time
We shall be able to furnish room in the primary
schools for every child in the city OF Brooklyn
who may seek It." This Is certainly sound posi-
ton. and Mr. Swanstr0m VIII be heartily applaudei
by public opinion In taking f.
The first important duty Of the new president will
be the selection OF committees. A year ago Mr.
Bouck undertook 10 humiliatc those who opposed
him by RELOCATING them 10 Insignificant places
the committees. all Of which were made up I'm
der 70 advance the peculiar IDEAS which animated
him In all his efforts I'm the Board. Mr.. Swanstrom
may be expected 70 orGanize his committees on
different princpe-with the sole object OF promot-
ing the best welfare OF the schools.
A most important step IN the same direction Will
be the committee which Mayor Schieren has
lected 10 consider the question OF reorganzing the
Board Of Education and elevatng the standard OF
the schools OF the city