New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-08-12
TIE CONTENTION AND THE SCHOOLS.

Tho proposal that the power and duty Of ap-
| nointing the SUPERINTENDENT Of Public lnstruc-
tion In this State shall be transferred from the
| 7 ocis,aturc 10 the Regents Of the University Is
supportcd by strong arguments. The advocates
of This change whose sincerity and disintcrcSt-
olncss cannot possibly be suspected, have red
con IN hone that the Constitutional Convention
will adopt their views, but since It's time Is linn
tied and it's work heavy, preliminary discus-
sion OF the subject may belhelpful
All iudicious supporters Of the educational
establishment Of this State are doubtless agreed
tbot II ought 10 be absolutely secured against
noIiticol manjpulation and therefore that 1t
ought II possible to be- entirely outside the Held
Of rolticol contention So far as the powers OF
the Regents extend that object has been already
happily ACCOMPLISHED. 1t is solely with the de-
sire and intention of carrying out this principle
still further that an extension Of their powers
in the way proposed Is now urged. Under the
existing system the choice Of Il Superintendent
of Public instruction Is inevitably Influenced by
political considerations. The fact that the I'M
fortunate possibilities Of the present method OF
selection have hitherto been generally avoided
Is not a sufficient argument for its retention II
a different method would almost certainly afford
poriant office and of popular confidence in the
incumbent Those who have carefully consd-
cred the plan Of vcstIng the appointment of the
SUPERINTENDENT In the Regents Of the University
are convinced that the change would be perma-
ncntly beneficial 1t Is said truly that while by
the conditions OF their existence and organlza-
ton the Regents represent both parties in the
sense that they are chosen from both parties
MI ID nt'yprtl,'
less rs far removed from the sway of personal
or political prcjullces rs any official body how
ever constituted could bc; that during the whole
period Of their history they have never shown
desire for increased power or patronage. and
that the only argument for The proposed change
10 which they would listen for a moment Is 10
be- found In the belief that It would enable them
10 serve the State by unlfying and strengthening
it's educational system.
The Regents hold Office for life without sal
nry. and the natural expectation that officials
appointed 10 discharge n sacred trust on those
terms would cherish no other ambition Than
that If promoting the common wclfar" within
their sphcr, has been confirmed by experience.
The people ~ this State have m immense IN
,cr.~, I'm The educational branch OF the public
service and are more and more conscious Of
that fact every year. They will certainly be
prepared 10 raiify any measure for Increasing
the efficiency ~ thc schools So soon as they
are convinced Of IT, merits. That the purpose Of
this proposal 10 lift the office OF Superintendent
entirely above the range Of party strife is IA
sure ~ II IL deserving of their sympathy no ono
can doubt and we believe that the method sug
ecs,ed will commend itself 10 their approval.
a. We hope II may 10 the Judgment Of The Con!
stliutiOnnl Convention.