New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-09-27
REFORMING SCHOOL LAWS,
THE BOARD OF EDUCATION UNDERTAKES
MUCH-NEEDED WORK.

COMMITTEE on SCHOOL SYSTEM AUTHORIZED TO
ATTEMPT TO DO WHAT TIE REVISION COM
MISSION OF THREE YEARS AGO FAILED
IN-PUBLIC MEETINGS TO BE HELD.
The first step toward the complete overhauling
OF the laws governing the public schools OF New
York City was taken at recent meeting OF the
Committee on School System Of the Board OF Edu-
cation The great Importance Of this step is In
the fact that II IL the first time the much-needed
revision Of the public school laws is to be under
taken by the Board of Education Itself. That the
school laws of this city are cumbersome. anti
quated and entirely inadequate for the needs OF
great city is freely admitted all sides the only
question being. How can these laws best be re-
vised?" Several attempts have been made py
people not Immediately connected with the schoo!
system to pass laws bringing about this mucn-de-
sired result. but they have uniformly been rail-
ures The most serious attempt was made by a
commission appointed by he Mayor OF the city
three years ago. and TO which the Legislature
gave S. 900 for expenses The Commission con-
sisted of five men well known in the educational
affairs Of the country. They were stephen H.
DIN. Dr. Thomas Hunter Daniel Mcclure, Oscar
Straus and F. Ellery Anderson. These men were
empowered TO thoroughly investigate the condi-
city and to compare It with the public school sys-
TENS Of other great cities and ultimately to draft
a bill for remodeling the New-York system. The
bill was drawn and presented to the Legislature
but Il was ANONYMOUSLY defeated many vital er-
rors ha wing been detected In 1t before hnal vote
was cast
since the failure OF the Commissions bill little
has been said or done and tic announcement that
the Board of Education itself is to grspple with
the subject will create much surprise In educa-
tiona circles This movement. however Is only
logical outcome Of the recent Injection OF new
blood into the School Board. When the present
Board came into power on July last II found
school affairs generally in great need Of reform.
and perhaps the greatest task Of all was reform
ing the laws governing the schools. II was not
generally expected that the new Board would un-
dertake this task, as 1t is not strictly speaking.
within the province OF the Commissioners, but
the Board has taken hold Of the whole subject
with such energetic hand that 1t Will stop short
OF nothing but complete overhauling OF the
system.
The committee In charge Of the reform is the
Committee on School System. 1t contains some OF
the strongest men in the Board. having been Sc
lected by President Maclay with this object IN
view They are Commissioners Charles Strauss.
chairman: Auguste =. Montant. Charles l.. Holt,
William H. Hurlbut. Alexander p Ketchum.
Charles b. Hubbell and John y. L. Hunt. At
meeting OF this committee held September ~ the
subject Of drafting bill for the reorganization OF
the school la US to be presented to the Legislature
OF 1896 was taken up and II decided 10 hold
public sessions in the hall Of the Board Of Educa-
ton al p. m. October 4. 10 and II. Other
meetings will be held the eXlgencies Of the
movement demand. At the first public session
delegations from the teachers and principals
associations will be invited to give their views on
the subject. On the second day delegations from
the school trustees and inspectors Will be heard.
and the third day members OF the Board OF
Education will give their Views on the subject.
AT other public hearings the dates Of which have
not yet been determined upon, men well known In
educational affairs will be invited to speak.
Among those who have been suggested are Seth
Low, Felix Adler. Captain Samuel Samuels Mich
olas Murray Butler. General Alexander s. Webb.
DR. J. VI. Rice. j. Augustus Johnson, J. Edward
Simmons and the Rev. Or. James NJ King.