New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-11-23
OF CORRUPTION

OF CORRUPTION.
When the Rev. Or. Charles H. Parkhurst was
conducting his campaign against the corruption in
the Police Department Of this city he received
number of letters from people well informed IN
public school matters begging him 10 investigate
the school system in this city and 10 unearth the
corruption which large number Of people be-
lieve TO exist in that municipal department. Some
startling charges were made in most Of these let
tiers, and evidence and witnesses were freely
promised II comm,,re were secured TO make
formal investigation. 1t charged that teachers
in many OF the school districts paid money for
appointment. and considerable proportion OF
their salary fey rspiT n~o-rotion
T;v the ordinary course OF promotion IL requires
a teacher just entering the lowest grades from
fourteen to thirty years to reach the top grade
that of principal. Yet there are not wanting IN
stances in recent years. since Tammany Hall got
its frmest grip the schools, where teachers
have been promoted from the lowest 10 the highest
grades OF grammar schools In less than four years
The full force Of this statement will not be real
lied until IT is Analysed Each teacher actually
works less than 200 days in year. and as there
are some twelve fifteen rounds in the ladder OF
promotion 1t will be seen that a teacher. in order
to reach the top from the bottom round in four
years. must teach. on an average less thah Sixty
days in each grade before being promoted 10 the
next. Instances not wanting where teachers
have taught five years in one grade before De'hs
promoted to the next, and average of time spent
by each teacher in each grade Will be not lar
from two and one-half years. What must be the
surprise and sorrow. then. OF faithiul 'eache'S
who have been In the school system teh' hlteeh
and even thirty years when they find new teach-
ers being promoted at the average OF -FOUR grades
in a yearo Immediately the question arises IN
their minds: is not the cultivation OF Tainmahy
heelers more profitable than the cultivation OF
pedagogy" Yet no open complaint has been maze
by the long suffering teachers for they well know
assiOp Of HiSSa Isl
would mean that they will have to get out OF their
places in short order.
A PITIABLE PHASE OF mr.
The fear of having their dissatisfaction known to
the Tammany politicians is of the most pltable
phases of the situation. man who mas interested
himself in the matter has privately spoken 10
number of teachers in the city. ana the! one ana
all demand as the first and only condition OF giving
information on the subec, that their names be with
held. Only last week teacher sent friend 70 ms
mans house TO get pledge that If revelation Of
some Tammany workings made the teacher
identity would be concealed. The pledge was gwen
and in short time the teacher appc' 80 done ,,
by Tammany politicians in a certain schoo,,
you should ever meet me at meeting OF me B2afl
of Education said the teacher, or at me scnool OF
in the street. for heavens SAX" don recosnlze me
It might lead TO the information being traced 10
me-"
SOME COMMISSIONERS MUST GO
vestigaton of the public school system Is not yet
known But on the passage Of the Mayors Power
OF Removal bill and the removal Of some or the COM
missoners Of the Board Of Education who are no.
toriously at the head Of the ring that does ram
many's bidding on the board. the investigation can
be properly conducted once relieve the teachers OF
the fear of being frozen out OF their places aia
evidences of Tammany corruption in the puDhc
school system will come pouring in from an sides
Letters have already been received by Inc tribune
from teachers offering 20 give evidence OF the man
ner in which the schools have been prostiuted 'or
the lowest political motives provided that the dei-
fitv of the informants he withheld. Much inorina-
ton already has been given. !,
No proper investigation Of these charges can d,
made so org as the present ring controls the BOARD
Of Education The turning down OF Cominis sioner
Charles c. Wehrum is only another eVdence inat
the ring is determined to continue It's sway 1 Ihe
term OF the present chairman Of the Board OF Ehu.
cation expires January !. 1895 BY turning down
Mr. Wehrum he ring hopes 10 secure the eIecuon
of it's candidate for president at the rsi meeting OF
the board in January This done and all the stand
ing committees will be appointed by the presh~hi
for the year and the rings term Of ''usefuness
will be continued another year. The Mayor Power
OF Removal bill will enable Mayor Strong. however
10 spoil this programme to a large extent by re-
moving the president Of the board and few other
leaders of the ring and putting in their places men
who will not submit to ring rue