New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-05-05
SCHOOL, RKFORM MUST COME.

Public school reform in this city advanced one
s,ep further than In Brooklyn this year, for the
New-York bill was passed by the Assembly,
while the bin which went from Brooklyn To Al
bonv was not even the subject Of a favorable
report 1t Is both Interesting aid instructive To
note the character OF the opposition made 10 the
two measures. 1t was substantially the same
In both cities, just the two bills aimed al sub
snntlally the same Results.
Tho movement for reform in the schools ~ this
city began with the passage by the Legislature
Of a bill authorizing Mayor Gilroy TO appoint
commission to investigate the subject and report
10 the next Legislature. 1t IL 10 Mr.. GIlroy \
credit that he named good commission. Its re-
port and the bill prepared by II were presented
TO the Legislature Of 1894, but the adverse inilll'
enccs were sufficient 10 prevent the adoption of
the bill After the success Of the reform move
lucnt last fall a subcommittee OF the Committee
Of Seventy WINS assigned 10 the duty of consider
Ing the subject ~ school reform. Naturally II
examined the work Of the Groy Commission,
md. while not altogether satisfied with II. came
10 the conclusion that the Commissions bill NJ.
forded the groundwork for ns good an act as
could be obtained under present conditions. with
Legislature. bearing the name Of Asscmblyman
Pavcy Another school bill was introduced by
Asscmblyman Bell. proceeding on radically DIFF
ferent lines and providing for Board OF paid
School Commissioners. In committee the Paycy
bin was subjected to some notifications, but 1t
was not altered In any material respect Ii re-
celved the Endorsement OF the Board Of Educa-
ton Bitter opposition was aroused however,
because It wiped out the powers Of the ward
trustees. who under the existing system appoint
teachers IN the schools. This was blow al
"patronnge" that could not he endured Accord
jngly the trustees and teachers who have secured
appointments at their hands joined IN opposing
the bill No possible influence that could be
brought TO bear In their behalf was neglected.
Nevertheless. the bill passed the Assembly sue
cessfuy But Tammany Hall was against school
REFORM as II IL against reform of every kind, and
by combination OF IFS representatives with the
Plat Republicans the bill had the life crushed
out Of it last week.
The Brooklyn measure emanated from Mayor
Schcren, who appointed last summer an Adj
vlsory Committee Of seven wcll-known citizens
that city. After painstakng inquiries the com
mittee reported n measure which was recognized
by competent Judges as possessing uncommon
merit Before 1t reached Albany an organized
movement was started to defeat It, the opposi
ton being led by the school principals who I'M
der the present system have been able TO ma
nlpulate the Board Of Education In accordance
with their own ideas, and through the local
committees have practically run the schools 10
suit themselves. The principals enlisted the
teachers on their side by assuring them that
their positions would be impcrilled by the pas
sage OF the proposed law The result was that
after some attempts 10 amend it the bill was
quietly pigeon.holed and will, Of course. not be
heard Of again.
That ssfosm In The schools Of both these cities