New-York tribune., 1896-04-01
VOTED FOR SCHOOL REFORM.
THE SENATE PASSES A BILL AGAINST
PLATTS DESIRE
THE SUCCESS OF THE COMPROMISE MEASURE
LARGELY DUE TO THE EFFORTS OF MIRA
MORTON. WHO Is SAID TO HAVE
SUGGESTED 1T.
,BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE I


SUGGESTED IT.
'BY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBuNEl
Albany, March 31.-The Republicans Of the
State Senate to-day, greatly to their credit and
against Thomas c. Platt's wishes, passed the
New-York School Reform bill. 1t is known a.
the Compromise School BILL but its vital feature
the abolition OF the Ward Trustee system. was
embodied In a measure introduced by Senator
Pavey
The Republican Senators, under the lead Of
Senator Stranahan. heartily supported the bill
| against series Of attacks upon II by the Tam
| many Hall members Cantor and Grady were
In an especially venomous mood. because Of their
disappointment over their failure to pass the
bill prepared by Commissioner Strauss. OF Tam
| many Hail. continuing the Ward Trustee plan.
1t will be remembered that early In the session
| Edward Lauterbach gave this Strauss bill most
determined support. and that Thomas c. Platt
also was committed to it. The Senate itself took
hostile attitude toward Senator Pavey's bill
to abolish the Trustees. At Lauterbachs insti-
cation the Pavey bill was transferred from the
Committee Education to the Committee ON
Cities. for the purpose Of having It killed.
! Just at this moment the school reformers Of
New-York managed to interest Mrs. Morton. the
Governors wife. In their effort to abolish the
Ward Trustees. and the Compromise bill was
drawn up by Senator Stranahan, 1t Is said. at
Mrs. Morton's suggestion. It met with general
| favor and was favorably reported by the Com
mitee on CtieI Then came Governor Morton's
message favorng some reform Of the school sys-
TEN OF New-York. The Tammany Hall Senators
criticised the Governors message Inter
ference with the Legislature" This attack on
the Governor did no harm. but rather gained
votes for the bill.
TAMMANY TRICK FAILS
The Tammany Senator's Of course, played their
old trick to-day or trying to have the bill re-
committed to the Committee Cities for q hear
Ing. Senators Stranahan. White and Pavey. the
chief advocates Of the BILL were not to be caught
in such trap to delay action. They fought
Grady and Cantor on the motion. and defeated
them after two hours Of debate.
Then the Senate reached the consideration Of
the bill on the order OF third reading Senator
Grady especially bitter He declared that
the bill was against "the poor school teacher
and in favor OF "the rich man" In the course Of
his speech he attacked Senator Ford who favored
the bill, as the representative of rich mans
district.
II represent large tenement-house popuia-
tion." replied Senator Ford, "and I would have
the Senator know that live In a tenement
of the poor people of New-York They ought to
have the best OF schools They do not There
10000 children without any schools In New
York. That Is a shame and this bill will re-
move It."
The bll was passed after four hours Of debate
late in the afternoon by vote Of 81 TO 49, the Re-
publicans voting in the affirmative and the DEM
ocrats in the negative
GRADY sNEERs AT THE WOMEN.
When the Senate met. the regular order Of
business dispensed with. and the New-York
School bill. the special order OF the day, was
taken up. Senator Cantor moved the recon.
initial OF the bill to the Cities Committee 50 that
the committee of citizens appoin ted at the mass
meeting in New-YOrk City could be heard on
Thursday.
Senator Grady said the abolition Of the Ward
Trustees represented the fashionable idea OF
school government. The votaries OF fashion
undertook to have their ideas Impressed on the
Nrw-York school government. Their plans were
discussed in school gatherings. That the bill
ever emanated from any Senator is an impos-
tion." he said.
Senator Cantor. inte-rupting Senator Grady
said it was not desired to mpugn the motives
Of the women behlnd the bill 1--WE only de-
sire hearing on the merits Of the BILL" he
added
The Cantor motion 70 reccnmit was lost, II to
90. the Democrats in the affirmative the Re.
publicans in the negative
The bill being pie ced IN final passage, Senator
Cantor began long speech in opposition to It.
The New-YorlS school system" he said ''is
the admiration OF the world Bigotry politics
or favoritism has no place in the government OF
our schools. The Boards Of Ward Trustees were
created 20 meet the metropolitan character Of
:he people of New-York. The Trustees are local
officers in touch with the people Of their dis
trcts."
POLITICAL PULL INSTEAD OF MERIT.
Mr.. Ford brought forward an article by Pro-
fessor J. NJ. Rice evidence OF the decadencs
OF the schools. Mr. Ford said the reason of the
abuses in the NewYork school system was the
association and domination Of Tammany Hall
in school government. The trustee system
worked to the advantage of the favorites Of
politicians who forced their candidates for pro-
motion and appointment. Senator Ford cited
a case In his own ward where he alleged that
the Ward Trustees We're foscing the appoint.
ment OF an incompetent man principal
Senator Pavey followed with an elaborate de.
fence OF the bill. He said the advocates OF the
bill felt that its merits would calEp it's passaRA
Senator Stranahan spoke in advocacy Of the
bill. He said quarrels among the Trustees kept
back necessary Improvements.
The rdlca on final passage was begun at tn
The bill was passed. to l3. Only the Democraf0
voted In the negative. Those absent ana not
voting were Ballantine, Higbie Johnston IArnv 4
Sullivan and Wilcox
SENATOR KOEHLER SEATED.
The Koehler-C -Childs contested seat report -
favor Of Senator Koehler was then tal,en IN
Senator Lexow made speech against the N.
port. asserting that Senator Koehler beine buper.
visor OF Long Island City, was city ofackr ana
not eligible to serve Senator. He calIed ~, .
tention to the attitude OF the Republican neoa.
tors In making p report in favor Of q Denocro116
= a
rvx~o ~ +
koehler adopted viva voce at as ~ ~ q
voted in the negative.
Senator Page introduced bill providing that
10 per cent Of the excise revenue derived urS~S 4
the Ralnes law In NewYork shall be paid "a ~ &
New-York Fire Department relief fund.