New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-04-13

the voluntary schools. Whether this accusa-
ton was well or Ill founded II Is undoubtedly
true that the Minister OF Education through
the exercise Of discretionary powers can SUBJ
ject voluntary schools to rigorous tests, de-
prve them Of State aid close them for sani-
tary reasons. and discriminate against them
In many ways. The Government bill deprves
the central office in Whitehall of the authority
with which 1t has been armed and empowers
the County Councils to order Inspections and
to supervise the operation Of the education
laws.
These administrative changes. while designed
to remedy grievances Of which the patrons Of
the voluntary schools have complained. are
open to serious objections. Under centralized
supervision there has been an approach to a
homogeneous educational system for England
and Wales When inspectors are appointed by
County Councils. there will be no uniformity of
standards: every Statutory Committee will be
a law unto itself: the occupation Of the School
Boards will be at an end. While they are not
formally abolished they might as we'll be- FOR
their authority and usefulness will lapse with
the passage Of the bill. There will be many
conflicts Of authority. These features Of the
bill can hardly fail to excite criticism during
the approaching debates The Government
measure will meet with much opposition from
partisans Of the Board Schools.
sDCTARIAN SCHOOLS AIDED
The measure will. however. be accepted with
a feeling Of relief by the friends Of the voun-
tary schools. 1t not only releases them from
determinations from which those institutions
have suffered, but 1t also increases their reve
mes. There will be an additional grant Of four
shillings child fror. the Imperial Treasury.
amounting to $2.500.000 annually. This Is not
as much money the friends of the Church
Of England and Roman Catholic schools
pected. but it Is a good sum. and will help to
ease up the burdens of private support of the
elementary institutions in which four out Of
every seven children in England and Wales
educated. Cardinal Vaughan and English
Churchmen perceive clearly enough that the
bill, as a whole. promotes the interests Of Sec
tartan education. 1t provides a substantial en-
dow,nent for UNCONVENTIONAL schools. which
have been outclassed by the Board Schools; 1t
enables them to borrow money from the local
rates: 1t releases them from School Board hos
tility, and 1t secures their permanent retention
in the general educational system.
The famous conscience clause Of the Act OF
1870 is compromised like nearly every other
essential feature Of the system. Heretofore
families Directing to sectarian teaching could
protect their children against It, The law pro-
vided, moreover. that In every State-aided
school no instruction should be given involving
the teaching Of catechisms and formulares In
future all elementary schools will receive state
aid. and groups of parents desiring to have
sectarian catechism taught can accomplish their
purpose in any school. whether Board or volun-
tary. That is 10 say. Wesleyan group can
insist upon having its own religious teaching In
a Roman Catholic or Church of England school;
and special religious classes can be formed N
any Board School. This religious clause VIII
undoubtedly provoke bitter opposition from
many sides. 1t will involve a renewal OF the
religious controversy which was waged twenty
six years ago. Logically. moreover. 1t counter
acts the main purpose OF the bill. which Is to
strengthen and relieve the UNCONVENTIONAL
schools; for. II parents can get speciai rehg'ous
teaching for their children in the Board Schools.
there will no longer be any necessity TOT MAIN
tanning the sectarian schools.
Indeed the more closely the new measure
is studied the more artificial It appears as
concordat It is a compromise bristling with
controversial points, and profoundly unsettling
in its tendencies. The continuance OF the dual
system Of sectarian ard Board Schools Is neces-
sary Sir John Gorst proves this when ne
shows that a majority Of the children In Eng
land and Wales educated In the voluntary
schools and that 1t would cost the country over
SIPS 900 900 to substitute Board Schools for them
But the anomalies Of the dual system VIII GER
tainly be increased by provisions for diversity
Ing sectarian instruction in both groups OF
schools, and for bringing them under the direct
supervision Of local authority everywhere.
Votes for the new bill will not be lacking. Tor
the Irish Nationalsts will take the places OF
Unionists who may desert the Government; but
outside Parliament 1t seems probable that the
measure will make more enemies than friends
The Liberals are likely to profit by II IN the
constituencies, especially as 1t Is compromise
of a compromise. and ore that unsettles more
questions than ii settles. l. y. L.