New-York tribune., 1896-05-15
TILE SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT.

Some members of the Board Of Education who
have opposed a radical change in the system
of school administration. and who used their
influence against the reform bill which has re-
Gently become law have manifested since its
enactment q desire 10 give II fair chance, as
the saying is; that is 10 test Its merits In an
honorable and cfTectual manner by trying TO
make ii successful In operation. Other oppo-
ncnts OF the bill seem to be opponents of the
law, and II they would not like To sec II fall
they are certainly proceeding In way which Is
suggestive of such n disposition These are the
Commissioners who are apparently resolved TO
bring the question Of the city superntcndcncy
TO an Issue next "Wednesday. and their candidate
is Mr. Jasper They are minority Of the Board.
ard we believe that they are fewer in number
than those members who are firmly committed
against an abrupt unreasoning settlement Of
this momentous question There are other mem
bcrs whose final choice OF position will prob
ably bc decisive. and whose minds are no; yet
made up To these Commissioners many citi-
zens who have taken a deep interest in the
schools Of New-York are looking with hope and
with anxiety.
The Tribune desires TO be wholly dispasslon-
ate in this matter We have no prejudice
aSillSI superintendent id~.Vii NH'Nf many -
ccllent qualities we have often gladly acknow,-
edged and whose fidelity 10 the trust imposed
In him is beyond suspicion. We should bc glad
to believe that hc was thoroughly qualified 10
render the service which II Will hereafter he
in the power OF The City Superintendent Of
Schools 10 render. If be il In all respects equal
to his opportunity. Hitherto that officials scope
has been limited by the conditions to which the
system subjected him. and II Is not Mr.. Jaspers
fault that the standard Of common school cdu-
cation in this city Is relatively low. We will
90 further and say THAI II Is not dlscrcdltablc
10 him If now at his time Of life. aftc. many
years OF labor along other compulsory lines. he
lacks the qualities which a new situation de-
mands and which under favorable circumstances
he might have developed In the highest degree
Nor do we even assume 10 prcjulec the case
against him. We merely say for the present
that he ought not 10 be elected Superintendent
for six years und"r the new system merely be
cause he has been Superintendent for sixteen
years under the old system that his qualIhca-
tions for success in higher field than has here
tofOre been open TO him ought 10 be weighed
deliberately and with scrupuous regard for the
public welfare; that great as are his claims 10
respect and appreciation for past labors. his
appointment 10 an essentially new post could be-
justified only by the conscientious conviction
Of a majority of the Board OF Education that he
would surely rise to the level Of a great oppor
tunity.
That fact involves question which the Board
Is under a solemn obligation 10 answer. Per
sonal incllnations ought to have no influence
over It's decision. There Is not n doubt that
Mr. Jasper is capable Of rendering Indispensable
services TO the school administration. That he
Is capable Of realizing the ideal of City Super
lntcndent under the new system some of the
Commissioners deny and others doubt. The de-
clson which third element in the Board is
resolved 10 force ncSt Wednesday would not
express the deliberate impartial judgment Of
q ma IOrity