New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-05-11
TWO IMPORTANT DTTTES.

1t is satisfaction 10 the intelligent and for
ward-looking portion Of the community To note
that the Citizens Committee on Public School
Reform has decided not 10 dissolve until the
reforms contemplated by The compromise bill
recently passed are fully carried Into effect. In
view Of the wcll-l;nOwn fact that the majority
Of the Board Of Education we're openly opposed
TO the bill willie in the Legislature and before
the Mayor. and that il Is these men who are
charged with the duty Of carrying out the most
important positive provisions OF the new law,
4, is obvious that Il vital duty may yet dcvolve
on the Citizens Committee, which has done
much In the past 10 arouse thc people 10 the
necessity Of sweeping changes In our antlqiatcd
and cumbersome public-schoO system.
The measure which recently became law hy
the approval OF Governor Morton, whose services
in securing its enactment are worthy Of fire.
qucnt honorable mention, in addition to abolish
ing the ward trustees. who have been clog on
the wheels Of orr public-schoo machinery for
many years, imposes important duties on both
the Board Of Education and the Mayor. The
Mayor Is required 10 appoint five inspectors for
each of the school districts laid ont by the Board.
The number OF these districts was required by
the law to he not less than fifteen; the Board
Of Education has already decided that there
shall be thirty five. Hence 1I5 inspectors will
have to be named by Mayor Strong In a sense
these officials will take the place Of the tr,ls-
tees. but since their power In relation to the
schools will be simply that OF visitors. there
will be no reason why politicians or men with
pulls will seek to be appointed. II Is under
stood that Mr. Strong Is disposed TO appoint as
inspectors a considerable number of those now
serving as trustees, and there would be evident
advantages In his doing so. Despite the bad
ness Of the trustee system some OF the trls-
tees were public-spirited citizens, who strove to
do their duty 10 the best OF their ability and
rendered good service to the community Ii will
be wise to retain the services OF all such. so far
as they are willing to act as school inspectors.
That the Mayor will include a considerable
number Of women in the list Of Inspectors Is
altogether probable 1t will not be rifling task
for him to make the large number of selections
required, more particularly as the law requires
that the inspectors shall be residents of the dis.
trlcts for which they are appointed.
| "A vastly more important duty is that made
incumbent by the law on the Board of Educa-
tion. This Is the duty Of appointing the Board
| OF superintendent. which Is TO have complete
| control OF the professional work of the schools.
and in particular OF the Superintendent Of
| Schools. This Office Is that should rank
among the highest educational positions in the
country and the man to fill it properly should
possess sufficient ability and experience TO do
credit to the presidency Of college or uniyer
sity OF the first rank Too great care cannot be
exercised in the selection of the individual who
Is to take charge of this office And with him
should be associated men and women who are
l thoroughly competent to supervise the schools