New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-02-07

bring the Department Of Education INTO CLOSER
relations with the city government
The charming frankness' which the auihor
Of these criticisms finds so engaging dlscloses
perhaps as we'll as anything can the real spirit
aud purpose Of the members OF the committee
1t is true that they brought to the solution OF
the problems submitted 10 them exceptional
learning. ability and experience; true also that
they devoted much time to the subject, and So
cured all the light attainable on the matter ia
hand both by consulting the men best acquainted
with the public schools Of Brooklyn aho 'he'r
moods and by studying the school systems OF
other cities Their sole object was TO devise the
hest system possible for Brooklyn; ana we ~
not hesitate TO say that they succeeded ad-
m;rably Not suspicion Of selfseeKlng or Oh
ANYTHING but desire to serve the CITY Wen ca"
no attached to Drs. Backus. Cochran ana Lever
moro or Nessrs Crecvey. Swanstronl. harhh's9
and Kelley. A better committee couid scarce'!
have been found in Brooklyn. Any inteiiigeh'
norson In that city who SGT about making UP
committee 10 do work like that when mas oce"
dopo could scarcely fail to choose at LEAST nVe
of these seven men.
I, zoos without saving that the best system
human wit IL able TO contrivc can be made 10
work bodly IL jntr,Isted to the guidance ana con-
troll If unworthy men, The proposed brooklyn
school system could be used for partisan puf-
noses nv q Mayor like some Of those elected III
that city within recent years. Inc Saiiie II ''"e
~ tho penernl system Of municipal government
in Brooklyn. by which great powers are iouSe'
in the hands Of the Mayor. The theory held IN
Wow whom the present chIrtcr was adopted
was tina, the people would take pains to elect
. Good Moyor every time When this has not
been done, the people have had only themselves
n blame Still the correctness OF me theory HIS
hcen generally recognized, and despite abuses
o. authority by certain Mayors no attempt HIS
been made to alter the existing arrangements
In dcvsing an improved school system the COM
mittec. Of course had III mind the tact thal Tie
first appointments would he Inahe u! 'i"!''
Schicren. and doubtless il was felt that WITH
the new plan was once put in operation anu lis
merits became a matter Of demonstration no
Mayor would affront public opinion by attempt
ing to Use 1t for partisan ends.
Certainly nothing could have Deeh lur'h''
from the minds Of the Advisory Committee than
the Introduction Of politics into the schooi S!S'
tenn Every member has the kecnest apprecI"-
tion Of the importance Of keeping pontics as iar
from the schools az possible. EveryDod! III
millar with Brooklyn KNOWS tnat poii"'> mas
not been kept out Of the school administration
under the present antQuated systems, ana tha'
rank abuses flourish 1t Is possible that some
changes rray be desirable in the bill submitted
by the committee before 1t is finally passed.
But the general principles on which the com
mittee has proceeded are sound and right AS
for security Of tenure for members of the teach
ing force we may add that at present the fault
is too mach security. and it is almost impossible
10 get rid of Il principal or teacher even when
his or her ,lSclcs'ncss has become mater OF
demonstration