New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-12-31
THE SCHOOL BILL.

Some foolish criticism. as we'll as some that
is sensible. has been directed against the schooi
hill recently reported to the Board Of Educa-
tion The allegation that this bill has come
straight from the inner circle Of Tanmany han
and is essentially political measure finds no
support either in the plan itself or the circum-
stances Of its preparation That the game OF
politics possesses great interest for not few
persons connected with the educational estaD-
lshment will be readily conceded, but the lact
is not proved by the provisions Of this proposed
enactment. We have no doubt that majority
Of the committee recommending its adoption are
sincerely convinced that it would accomplish
certain definite and excellent results. and desire
TO see It in operation for that and no other rea-
SON. Their judgment Is entitled to respect, ana
their arguments deserve careful consideration.
We frankly confess that the bill has dlsap-
pointed our expectations, chiefly because II pre-
serves the trustee system, and does not separate
the educational and business departments. AL
the same time it Is fair to say that some OF the
evils and abs,,rdltes Of the old arrangement
would probably be removed by the creation OF
new districts, so divided as to produce fair
distribution OF interest authority and labor.
We should no longer have to submit 10 'he
solemn nonsense Of school trustees IN wafus
which contain no schools. nor witness the I'M
position of grossly unequal burdens IN other
parts Of the city We certainly shall not agree
with Commissioner Strauss that 1t Is an ideai
BILL 1t is not so good BILL on the whole, as
the one advocated by the Committee OF seventy
and tina, left some things to be desired we
think that Commissioner llubbell takes about
the right view of it when he says that il would
cure some serious defects Of the present system
and is considerably better than nothing. But
the question is whether are reduced to the
alternative Of this or nothing. 1t is probably
true that complete and permanently salts
factory educational establishment must come
bv degrees. that the Legislature would be fright
ened By such n measure as many leaders OF
school reform might Ike to propose. and that it
IS wise to take a short step forward AZ the first
opportunity But is this proposed measure
step forward? We should refuse to accept it
as such If we were convinced that its effect
would be to intrench more firmly various exist
ing evils while getting rid of others Of no greater
magnitude. We do not believe that our schools
will become what they ought to be SC long ms
those who are held Immediately responsible Tor
their educational quality are without null au'hor-
ty in the selection of teachers. lne argument
that the Jurisdiction of trustees is necessary 10
inspire interest in their respective ncighDorhoods
seems rather forced We are persuaded that
thoroughly admirable work in all grades ana
quarters would guarantee keen interest every
where, and that interest inspired is the only
kind which is really worth having.
In word, we do not feel warranted in pro-
nouncing a positive opinion upon this measure
at this time We do not believe for moment
that 1t is essentially political, and some Of Its
provisions seem in themselves 70 be meritori-
ous. But it can be improved by amendment,
and we are not yet forced TO assume that such
improvements would necessarily invite the hos
tility Of the Legislature.