New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-02-17
A VETERAN IN SCHOOL WORK.
EMERSON w. KEYEs. ONCE STATE SUPER
INTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION.
NOW HE FILLS MODEST PLACE IN THE
BROOKLYN BOARD OF EDUCATIoN-AN
EXPERT IN EDUCATIONAL AND
BANKING AFFAIRS.

BANKING AFFAIRS
In view OF the election OF Charles X SKINNER
as state Superintendent OF Public instruction last
Wednesday, II seems timely to refer TO the fact
that former incumbent Of that ONCE IS no" a
resident OF Brooklyn and an employe or the hoaro
OF Education This Is Emerson w. keyes VINO LOT
the last dozen years has been chief clerk 10 the
Superintendent of Public Instruction In Brookiyh.
Mr. Reyes Is now nearly seventy years Oh ne
has had n varied and interesting career.
II was in 1861 that he became state superih'ehu-
ent OF Public Instruction. but not by eiecUoh ny
the Legislature. He had been Deputy Superihtehh-
on, for the three years previous under the super
intendency OF Henry II. Van Dyke. ana "heh "'
Van Dyke resigned in order 10 accept the once OF
S,nerntendent OF the Banking Department. MT
Keyes succeeded him. and served as SupeTn-
tendent OF Schools from April ?. 1851. until
February l. 1852 In the caucus OF RepuoHcah
members OF the Legislature held to agree on
candidate for School Superintendent. Mr.. Reyes
failed Of election by only three votes He had nor
been an active candidate for the place. as he be-
lieved that he had small chance OF securing IL
consequently he was as much surprised as MS
friends we're disappointed by the result OF the
caucus vote His successful competitor was Nictop
NJ Rice who had been the first state Superlhtehu-
ent Of Public Instruction. elected In APRIL 1884,
and who held the office from 1862 TIL 1865
Under Superintendent Rice Mr. Keyes remained
as Deputy until 1865, when he was appointed
Deputy Bank Superintendent by superintendent
Van Dyke. his former superior In the Educational
Department Mr. Keyes remained In the Bahkihg
Department eight years. devotinS hiInseii
diligently TO his duties and winning a high reputa-
ton careful student OF banking affairs
report written by him In 1865 on savings banks has
been a standard that subject ever since. ana
the bill which he drew up in reference TO savings
banks has served the foundation OF laws govern
Ing these institutions in several Of the States IT
was not adopted by the Legislature to which 1t
was first presented in this State but In 1918 II was
in all essentials placed on the statute book.
In addition to being expert In banking and
educational affairs. Mr.. Keyes is also lawyer as
might be inferred from the circumstance that he
drew the bill that formed a part Of the elaborate
report made by him savings banks. He has
never practised law extensively. however. IN his
early days he a schoolteacher, and at difer-
en periods OF his life he has been In the real estate
and insurance business. He was born in James
town " Y. The usual course In district schools
with a year a normal schoo and term or TWO
q, an academy furnished his sole opportunities
OF securing education. and when only sixteen
Mr. Keyes began to teach. To this WORK ne he-
voted most OF the next nine years OF MS me- out
I'm 1853 he came to this city to engage III Duslhess
In the course OF the few years following ne studied
law and was admitted TO the Bar, put not ,Deihs
enamoured OF that profession. he accepted the
Office OF Deputy Superintendent OF Public instruc-
ton in 1853 ,,.,- ro.a.,.ou, e.
Alter retiring from the Banking Department IN IN
1874 Mr. Keyes resumed the practice OF Ia" anu
rave some attention to business, untl, III 1922 re
Brooklyn School Superintendent. then nlled by
Calvin Patterson. The value OF ms services was
at once recognized and when superintendent MaA
well succeeded Mr.. Patterson MI heyes was re-
,ained as matter Of course. He IL. in truth an In,
dsnensab,e factor In the Office OF the Board OF
Education. Whenever knotty question aaIaSa -
IS AT once referred 20 him. He is recognized ~
an authority in both educational ana iesaI ma a, 10
1t is commonly said that he Is Inc boss oi ,ie
whole Office" but Mr.. Reyes would prohp'iy i h
avoW holding any such relations 10 the resi- oi tl'
II Ia ma
utterly devoid OF sclf-assertion IN ms pIes.:Ii,
position as In all others he has Med ne de.o,es
himself assiduously TO his duties and attends
strictly TO business His bump OF otne' m,a
largely developed and the records Oh aie JIM h
which he keeps are so carefully arranged Una, ne
can at a moments notice obtain any ihIoi n'a''o ~
that may be called for Mr.. Reyes is q man Oh
uulet hurnor and Is well liked by all ms assoc"'es
The quarters OF the educational ohicid.s ia ioa
Gently been enlarged by the fitting up OF a mouse
adjoining the Board OF Education Building IN
Livingston-st On taking visitor INTO me me hsM
rooms occupied by the Superintendenl anu o ~,
associates the other day Mr.. Reyes passed "ol a
or two with Associate Superlntendents warn anu
Walsh who congratulatins themselves y"
the change. . . .S, "r. had
most wretched understanding but nan peu-
Not quarters at all. / should say. remarked geo
Mr. Keyes with a twinkle In his eyes, not ho'e
than eighths at the best ,o y, Tho
Mr.. Reyes has been regular reader o. Nv
Tribune for thirty years more. IL wouln pc "
graceful and fitting thing II the Board OF Educa-
services by providing him with a larger saia'!'