New-York tribune., 1896-12-24
COMMISSIONER MAcKs CANDIDATE.

COMMISSIONER MACK'S CANDIDATE.
he UPHoI.Ds Mr.. HUBBEIL FOR PREsiDENr "
THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AS BEING
A LEADING REFORMER.
To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir The question OF the presidency OF the board OF
Education for the year 1891 has already become tne
subject OF public discussion although the event i-
self Is fully four weeks off. may therefore, De
hardened II take tine liberty in stating the personal
opinions OF one who has already been quoted. In
which connection desire to d!scaim any authority
to speak for any other Of my colleagues
The annual election OF president OF the board Oh
Education Is one OF the most important functions
which the Commissioners Of Common Schoo.s are
called upon to perform: the office Of president OF the
Board of Education Of the City Of New-York IS one
of great dignity and honor. and worthy OF tne am
bition OF Its best citizen. Speaking generally II mas
always been filled by gentlemen who nave nohoreo
the chair as much as IL has honored them' anu ''e
Commissioner who has filled It for the last eighteen
months will be justly looked upon as one OF inc
ahiest and upright Of Its incumbents. Inc e*-
ceent ard conscientious service rendered oy hn''
nrcr TO his elevation to the presidency, both on the
floor and as a committeeman the dignity and Impair
tally which ne has displayed as chairman, VIII al.
ways be gratefully remembered by his associates ana
by a discerning public. His colleagues, without e~-
ceptlon admire and respect him. While yield 10 ho
ore OF my fellow commissioners In the sincerity OF
nevertheless sate that all the feelings named appear
20 me fully compatible with what Is to follow here'
although this may at first glance seem TO De imi-
te ton upon what have stated so far
Differences of opinion cannot but exist IN pody OF
ever so well meaning upright and independent citi
zens approaching their task from various points OF
view. Such differences are perfectly legitimate ana
just!hale and viii be found to exist in all delipera-
tive bodies public or private. With the same laud
able aims in view, with the same disnerested ana
atrulstc devotion to common end there VIII De
dlversit.es more less radical. concerning the
means by which such end Is to be gained, and these
Gverstes these honest differences Of opinion. have
accentua;ed the proceedings Of this body within the
last eighteen months, perhaps in more marked ue-
gree than has been the case before During the
greater part OF this period minority or the boaro
has represented a tendency in what has seemed 10
them the direction OF progressive reform. while the
opposing majority has stood for the conseTvass Nv e
force Of retaining the educational system OF tnis city
In the which it then presented. -,
Events have SO shaped themselves that ms mInos s
ity. partly through conversions within the BOARD.
partly through imminent changes IN ts constituent
elements promises TO become majority. and may
be fairly excused for suggesting that assuming u
to he a majority of the Board 1t be representa- az
such by the occupant, OF the presidents chair. II
these gentlemen ,Intan that. having evolved M INTO
in the past represented the tendencies wnicn
titled 20 the parliamentary privilege OF having their
deliberations presided over by one Of their own num-
peroG Of 2 sorm Wg "s and surely such demand
must he looked upon ny all welI-meaning citizsns as
perfectly legitimate. extremely pardonable and emil
nently human.
The question whether this view Of mine IL shared
By many Of my brethren. propose 10 test by nomi-
mating Al the proper time gentleman who mas
been nor only adherent. but the leader OF what Is
now the minority OF tie Board Of Education. Hay
ing thus proclaimed my purpose there Is probably
HE room for doubt 70 the Commissioner who Will
he my nominee. In all movements OF this character.
in all srifes between opposing forces. such as have
been Witnessed in the Board OF Education in 1895 and
1896. there appear representative irdiv!duals VINO
by ability by inherent quality OF leadership
by lndomitabe fearlessness and by
OF motive become the personal embodiment or the
movements and tho tendencies with which they are
allied.
In the present instance refer TO gentleman who
has been "face princeps In the ranks Of the minor
Irv; to gentleman who is devoted with his heart and
soul to The hes; Interests Of public educaton; 10
gentleman who combines earnest convictions with
agcress.yeness in maintaining and expressing them
and wiki the most dgnlfied manner and the most
surve adircss in giving them voice both toward those
Of his own mind ard toward honest opponerts This
gentleman IL the Hon. Charles Bulkelev Hubbell
JACOB W. MACK
Commissioner of Common Schools.
Ncw-York, Dec. IL. 1896.