New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-10-21

aymen and many OF the clergy are hou sa'ie .bn
liquor question. There Is resolution ana there
vii. Mr. Coote permit me to sugges, that there Is
much need right here for his rare grt o. susan
tions' heard at his pen point Nigh; work wonders
II his pen were turned IL the right way. VII ne
unsettled moral questions have no Pity f3r ne geee
Of JEe aTtYso Gr q or P0i Il. 1888.
Mr. SKINNER AND THE SCHOOL CENSUS
THE EMPLOYMENT OF TEACHERS WAS ONLY
SUGGESTION THAT WAS SOON DROPPED
CHARGES OF NEGLIGENCE ANSWERED.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir. Nv attention has been directed to The New
yorl, Tribune OF Sunday october 10. containing an
interview with Robert Maclay, president OF the
Board of Education OF Ncw-Iork city, IN reference
to the biennial school census required by Chap'e'
40 OF the Laws OF 1855. 70 b. taken during the
month CT October in all cities and villages OF tne
s.a,e having n population of 1900 and upward
The Interview is prefaced by various comments, and
the whole article. headed. mo Money for Cen
sus; Superintendent Skinner Wants S'hooi IeaenerS
10 Take It," etc. | quote from the preface 10 NIX
Maclay's interview
Mr.. skinner recently issued from Albany notice
asking that the census be taken between OCTOBER
"A ana 81. and recommending mar 5h9 ,b fSev
should be paid not les thsn fer ca" has i,t
shown his nisunderstandng of the result his pan
Wcntion to incur expenses for taking the census
amounting TO about $4,000 Tor Wncn 70 iulus . d,
bv SUGGESTION That the public sclool teachers be
asked - act as census-taeTs' NJ. o nliie, b
that the could be taken by the scaoo tca ,
ers in tine rural districts. and he thought 1t couid
be so taken here.
Again quoting from the preface
Iir,iied ard Other conditions prevailing here make
II rpracticable for them 10 attempt the task MAJ
M Skinner n7srd g2u Of asuf oard Of sad
Yesterday about Mr. skinner propo;sa g l,e i
end fbe Board does no, feeI called upon to set its
women teachers az task th8' must often pl0Fo
obnoxious 10 them
quote from Mr.. Maclay's interview;
Again. Mr. Skinner Sold he would furnish all me
blanks necessary for taking the scno0i census am
ming although he knew all about the necessities
OF the case when the Law was passed cary ms
year 1rroydng FUNDS Tor census expenses we
We're notified only week ago by Mr. Skinner.
The interview with Mr.. Maclay was no DOUBT
fully authorized by tina: gentleman. and The Tr1b-
une's comments were doubtless based upon It.
am AZ A loss to understand Mr.. Mac.ays asser-
finn They are unwarranted misleading and I'M
fli~ Within a week after the adjournment OF the
LEGISLATURE las; April, every superintendent o.
Schools in the State was furnished with copy %
the law Mr. Macay was no doubt thoroughly
f,ntliar with that Law, and re knows that II was
r-ararad approved and urged by prominent citizens
Of New-York city. including many members OF the
Board OF Education. -.
In a circular letter under date or OCTOBER '@s'
addressed 20 all superintendent OF SCHOOLS IN 'He
State ca Ing attento. to the census ana ADVISING
tho. this Department was read - cooperate WIN
Boards Of Education. acted upon suggestion
which came TO me from prominent gentleman OF
\ew-York CITY well Informed IN regard TO rs eil-
catlonh affairs. In whose judgment nave great
confidence ard recommend that Boards Of Educa-
ton wherever practicable and advisable employ ''e
most efficient teachers conrectei with tlelr puohc
schools TO act as onumerators. On the very day
upon which the circular letter was issued met by
commitment a large number Of the members or the
New-York Board OF Education, Including MT Mac
,ay ard the members Of the Committee on Legis'a-
,on and the whole subject was freely discussed
:, va nuh,icv stated by Mr.. Strauss, ylce-presden
of the Board that IL would be Impossible 10 lay OUT
= census district in New-York City In which II
ro,,d he safe for a woman TO take the census, ana
~ We all knew that great majority OF the teachers
Of New-York are women the advslbility OF en- en-
plOyiag teachers to tax me census census ~ H'i''
ate;v dropped. and not further considered. &c. 49,,
We then dscl ssei the proba blty Of securing me
cooperation of the Police Departmenr ,bo VA
10 rpeak that the Mayor was ready to guarantee
necessary funds for taking the census AS soon as
thc confsrence was ended Mr. Maclay 1t once VISITED
the Police Department. confGrreG with Cot9''.,;s
sioner Parker and returned TO the rooms on tne
hoard Of Educa ton and informed ME that he had no
doubt that a satisfactory arrangement would be
NJ Macy he advised me that would be promptly
j-fo~rned OF the result Of the negotiations | have
helri nothing concerning the matter except as /
On The following day had satisfactory confer
e1ce with Mr. Prentiss. chairman Of the Commttee
on Legislation He informed me inat the Ponce
Commissioners found that they could not utdertaHs
tho work actively and at once. As many policemen
we're on sick leave there were many vacancies IN
the force and there would be heavy demands upon
them In increased work connected with reSStrdlion
mont of as many competent policemen could be
red -
others could be piit at work | advised Mr. Prent
and also the BOARD OF Education that would send
the necessary books for taking the census ana aow
the Board to pay FOR them at its convenience II
there were no available funds The books nave
been sent anl | am willing to trust the city OF
New-York to pay for them.
It was understood that the work or me census
should begin abou; October 10. depending on ar
rangements made with the Police Department: ana
II vas also understood that II the work OF the
was begun during october. ana circumstances
should prevent its completion during the month u
would not inva.ldste the census II we were Obliged
to run over into November 10 complete X:
I assured the Board that we recognized the fact
that New-York City and Brooklyn were cities or
great magnitude and we were wiling 10 consent TO
without causing hardship and ineonyenience. II
generally conceded that school census was
necessary and that IL should be taken. | am at A
loss TO determine why Mr. Maclay or the Tribune
should accuse me OF negligence In informing the
the aw. or misrepresent nv attitude as 10 the ON
ployment OF teachers TO undertake the work All |
SIX IL TO have the law enforced. This Jaw provides
that It shall be the duty Of the State Sup rntendent
OF Public Instruction 10 take, cause 10 be taken.
school census 1t also provides that 1t shall 6e the
tendcnt IN al! proper ways in the discharge OF his
duties under the act.
The necessary books for taking the census have
been furnished to Superintendent Jasper BEYOND
the request FOR the books have rot been informed
concernns any arrangement r for underiakng the
State Superintendent OF Public Instruction.
Albany, oct Is. 1895.