New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-08-16
FIFTY THOUSAND.

The recent census. il is now admitted though
not officially announced. shows that there are
al least $4,000 children in this city between the
ages of eight and sixteen years for whom there
is no room in the public schools. The result or
the enumeration. confirming the estimate of Mr..
Rs and other close observers, brings into prom
incnce a very grave problem which will not be
easily solved. Nothing could better Illustrate
the manner in which the municipal business has
been transacted in New-York under Democratic
management than this fact of an enormous def
cheney in school accommodations. at the extent
of which public officials have only guessed. The
census disclosec discroditabe and unwelcome
condition Of things, but it is desirable to know
the truth. 1t absurd TO go on year after
year in ignorance Of facts the study of which
lies at the basis of efficient school administration
in other cities The annual school census of Bos-
ton is regarded by the Superintendent as the
cornerstone of the compulsory education sys-
tenn Without il, he declares, ii would be very
difficult 10 make the compulsory law compel
II supplies necessary knowledge as TO the us
tribulion of the school population. shows where
and when new schoOlhouses should be prOvlded
for and enables the authorities TO put the theory
of free common school education into almost per-
feet proctice Here. under Tammany rule, mere
surmisc has been deemed sufficient. An enor-
nous amount of money has been expended WITH
out any assurance that it was being expended
wisely. and an army Of children has been grow
ing ND in ignorance, no one knowing even now
big the army was. A recent Tammany estimate
reckoned it at about 5000. 1t is now found to
be not less than 10000.
II is something gained as has been said. TO
know the magnitude of a deficiency which con-
stitutcs at once great danger and great IN
Justice. The question is what is to be done about
If. The question earnestly demands an answer.
but the answer is not forthcoming. The Board
Of Education has Just taken the preliminary
steps toward the erection of seven new school
honses But what a short step this is toward
the complete rectfcation Of a grave evil! The
city grows so fast that merely to keep up with
the growth in school population is task of no
small nroport,ns. What IS TO be done with the
$4,000 children already deprived of seats in the
schools? Tammany government has imposed
a huge burden of expenditure upon the people,
not exclusively or mainly for necessary objects
economically ordered, but largely as a conse-
0uence of reckless and greedy extravaganza.
How much heavier burden can the people
carry, IN Or0or ludt their CHllulcH ihd! '''"P'
ignorance and degradation? Yet. however big
the load. 1t must be borne in some way. The
most grievous oppression from which the com
munity could suffer would be that which a fail
IRE to provide for the education Of the young
would entail
Furthermore, the obligation involved is not
simply moral The Constitution explicitly com
mands that 1.-The Legislature shall provide for the
maintenance and support of a system OF free
common schools, wherein all the children OF the
state may be educated This city is bound TO
apply for authority to supply the school deil-
cheney with reasonable promptness, even up to
the legal limit of municipal Indebtedness If
necessary, and the Legislature Is bound TO grant
the application. In our opinion such improve
mcnts and embellishments as the Harlem Speed
way ought to be postponed until provision has
been made to extingush the ctys heavy debt
TO its children. In morals and in law 1t owes
them all an education. For its own safety 1t
must meet the obligation. The machinery OF
Justice and Of charity Is constantly running at
high pressure to counterfeit the mischief which
results from defects in the machinery Of educa-
tion but inevitably there is heavy net loss.
1t Is loss which can be repaired in only one
way and the cost Of continued neglect Is far
greater than the cost of providing remedy.