New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-06-07
KNOWS GAME WON'T WORK.
THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF
EDUCATION TO BE REMOVED
He PROMISED COLONEL. STRONG TO RESIGN BY
JUNE l. But HASN'T DONE sO-HoPING
THAT. HIS FAILURE TO STEP DOWN
WOULD PASS TNNoTICED TILL
AFTER THE MAYORS
POWER OF REMOVAL

EXPIRES
In the face Of all the reforms that have taken
place in city departments the peculiar fact
mains that tho president of the Board Of Educa-
ton Charles II. Knox a Tammany Hall poll
tlclan and n turncoat Republican. is permitted
10 retain his high Office with its all-pOwerful in
nuencc things pertaining 10 public school af-
fairs. by the cumbersome code OF laws and
prccedcnts governing this most important NUM-
cpal board. the president has dominating In
nuencc in all Of It's workings. His power Is felt
in every committee and by every member, and
no work can be done effectively II the presi-
dent chooses to throw the weight Of his Office
against 1t.
Such being the power placed IN the hands Of
the president Of the Board Of Education, II is
a matter of surprise 10 most people why Mayor
strong has permitted Mr.. Knox 10 remain the
president of the Board Of Education 50 long.
Mr.. Knox was for long time member Of the
Tammdny Hail Law Committee. At one time
he was a Republican and ran for office on that
ticket But failed signally. believing that he
could Do better by going over t. Tdmmany Hail.
ne rcnounced the Republican party and went
over to the enemy's camp and did his utmost 10
inJure his former party By the backing Of his
new political friends Mr. Knox was made a men,
ber Of the Board of Education. and on the sud
den death Of Adolph H. Sanger. the Tammany
president Of the Board Mr.. Knox. in January.
1884, was elected president by the Tammany
ring. which at that time controlled the Board
In January. 1898. while the same Tanimany ring
was in control II the board. Mr. Knox was re-
elected president.
ON the passage Of the Mayors Power Of r.
movai bn Mayor Strong did his first good
IF fI,. ll Tam
many members Of the Board. and people sup
posed that Mr. Knox. occupying The most nfu-
cntial place In the Board. would bee deposei also.
That Mayor strong fully intended to remove
the obnoxious president cannot be doubted, but
Just why he has delayed doing 80 IS a mys-
terry g. the public. Tn, reason FOR the Mayors
tardlness in removing this particular individual
Is lust this: When the Power Of Removal bill
MAS passed Mr. Knox was one of the first t.
npproach the Mayor on the subject u his re-
tn,yal He exclaimed 20 IL" Mayor that he In
tended 1, take his family {, Europe carly In Tn"
summer and begged Colonel strong not % re-
move him until June !. AZ which time he prom
l.-I The MtyOr that D. would send In hli rcsg-
uail n. thereby escaping the ignominy II being
rcg.oyed from office Mr. Knox was backed ~
IN this request by some influential citizens. and
"a DIS promise that ne would send In his r'sg-
milton as member 4 the Board OK Education
on June / the Mayor has allowed him to hold
oi..c. uutl now.
But June has come md Is passed. ard siill
Mr. Knox continues to hold his high office June
has COME hut the lists 81 outgoing passengers
for Europe 10 not contain the name - Mr. Knox
or those 4 h.s family sailing FOR Europe. anI
The .nine Tammany influence ls dominating all
branches ~ the Board II Educ1tion Pe"pl"
who ar conycrsant with Board of Eiucdiiln
afY ,lrs and wl'h Mr. knlX arr l'i % thc b"ii'i
that hc b.. Intentionally delaying his letter ~
r-.lenatlon iu th" hope that the matter OF MS
resignation mag b. allowed 10 slide along un-
noticed until july I. when IN" Mayors power
- removal c,irDe TNen Mr.. Knox wll he able
q. sr,n his fingers at the Mayor auI IN" Wnp4r
.i,v and Will be able To serve ont MS 'ntiI'
term ~ onic" lu defiance az the expression 81
nubiir feeling as shown In tho election last ialL
End In sllte T. is promise To- The VI 'l'r 10 re-is'
Juno l.
This game. however. VIII be checked by IN
Ngy.r himself probably Mr. strong - nor ipr-
g,tful Of III. situation. and he has Expressed ms
d.,.,nrlnafi.n Z, remove Mr.. Knox tomorrow II
ih. letter of resignation Is not IN hahd 10y INA,
,i,no I'm such nm event Mr.. Knox, listrdl "i
retiring gracefully. will be dropped ign"nllnl"us-
a. q. MS i.lio,V- -Tammany members were. II ~
e,id tbnt cx-Commlssioner william j. Van Ars-
d,lo who was removed by Mayor strong some
v..ka ago. Will hc rcinstated by the Mayor III
- NJ Knox.