New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-11
SCHOOL REFORM DISCT SSED.
VARIOUS EXPRESSIONS OF OPINION ON THE
TRUSTEE SYSTEM AT THE SOCIAL
pEEnRM cIJ-B

There were quite as many women men present
4, the meeting OF the Social Reform Club at NO.
Is East Fourth-st last night. and earnest attention
was given to the speakers who discussed the ques-
ton Of school reform
James b. Reynolds unhesitatingly urged the
abolition OF the Office OF school trustee, on the
ground that IL carried with it responsibility Likely
10 be abused In regard TO the appointment OF
teachers which privilege came within the trustee $
provnce he said that II was only natural That the
trustee should enjoy the administration OF 'hs APP
pointing power: that II built up for him quite A
little repua ton In his own district but that II was
equally obvious that many trustees were using the
power 80 gained for their own personal benefit;
that they had used 1t In the past and would con-
tinue using II for that purpose.
Regarding the evils likely to creep in under the
present system OF appointing teachers the speaker
said that in his own experience he had met a
teacher who could not put single sentence on the
blackboard without misspelling half the words IN
It. THE trustee who favored that teachers ap-
pointment couldn't spell. either" said Mr.. Key
nolds "end. being a far-mnded man. he did not
like to exact from another what he could not DO
himself" Reference also made to the pro-
posed change In the duration OF the superintendent
term OF office. and 1t was suggested that, as the
principals were appointed for life. the superin-
tcnients might be like wise with advantage, though
il would be better that all parties should have a
term OF year, during which time their nj
ness for office could be put 10 trial
School Commissioner Hubbell. who spoke after
Mr. REYNOLDS said that when the latter referred to
the complex machinery 7hch had TO be gone
through In collecting Ill for school repairs. in
stead OF exaggerdtng his statements he had really
omitted two Of the many committees before which
that bill must come. He had been on the Building
Committee OF the Board himself, and knew the
tedious processes OF which he spoke. Mr.. Hubbell
said that sh.n certain rustees were approached
regarding their Views the abolition OF the office
IL, al "a hot al lH
ha wing done good work.
J. K Pauding. a trustee of the Tenth Ward
asserted was an admirable one although 1t had It's
faults He said that the trustees were not TO
blame for the overcrowding of schools, the rush
system of study or the incompetent teachers APP
Board of Education that. in reality. the trustees
had been the means OF preventing that Board from
overlooking the downtown schools. the tendency
being To pay all attention to the new uptown dis
people In closer touch with the schools. so
than a mere board of inspectors or visitors could
do Mr. Pauldng spoke in favor Of making the
Board OF Education elective. having such election
all effort should be made to bring the Board closer
TO the people. instead of It's getting further away
from them He paid an eloquent tribute to the
women teachers In the schools. but he said the
n few years OF their time until they could get
something else TO do. He did not believe in doing
away with all popular influence in matters OF con-
troll.
DIR. Nicholas Murray Butler made some humor-
Gus remarks with reference to Mr. Paulding's att
tude the subject. DIR. Butler gave an exhaustive
account OF the origination Of the present school
system. with its many complications and contra
dictions. Commissioner Charles Strauss. who was
to have spoken In favor Of the Strauss bill was
unavoldaby absent