New-York tribune., 1896-05-01

and has for a long time made a careful study OF tho
school system In this and other cities
In speaking Of the Compromise bill. Mr.. Pine said
to a Tribune reporter yesterday afternoon The
great value OF the law Is that 1t makes 1t possible
for an Intelligent Board of Education to administer
the schools efficiently and economically, ooth on
the business and educational sides heretofore
such a thing has been practically Impossible on ac-
count OF the cumbersome system and the obstacles
offered by divided authority. To secure the best
results IL will be necessary for the Board or Edu-
ca ion TO make many material changes IN Its method
OF transact.ng business and hope the Commits
sioners will adopt entirely new series OK bylaws.
which will be framed relieve the Board OF tho
multiplicity Of details which has so overloaded Its
members in past years. This overattent!on to de-
tail has rendered tae position Of School Cormis-
soner 90 laborious as 10 exclude many OF the most
competent and desirable men from the position
men who could have performed the duties OF the
office ably had they been less onorous. but who
could not give Their time TO the numerous COM
mttee meetings anG to the inhnity Of details which
has occupied the attention OF the Board In the
past.
Tho real duties OF the Board too many and
too important for the Commissioners 10 waste their
time small matters. think they should SIM
ply exercise a e. tra supervision over the workings
Of the whole sy,- Such step would entail the
complete redrafti OF their bylaws When this
has been accomplished. as hope II will be- 1t re-
mains 10 organize thorough business stan under
and supplies. who will be the business executive Of
the Board: ana 10 organize an educationa stan or
faculty consisting OF 'he chief superintendent, and
his assistant superintendents. The appointment OF
such a faculty is a matter OF the greatest mpor-
tance for upon the choice OF flese superintendens
must depend the efficiency OF the educational admin
istration Of the schools. The superintendents
should be educational experts with long experience
and training. and at their head should be man Of
broad scholarship and Of the highest attainments.
The schools are now starting upon new era, and
the choice of the Board of Superinterdents cannot
be too carefully considered. with the
must come new deals and standards With
a Board Of Supetnendents made up OF men and
women selected IN dccoun: OF their approved
GERS as principals. teachers or superintendents In
this city or other cities. to give Inspiration and
direction to the entire educational system. we should
In very short time have In operation ioo sys-
TEN second to none In this country.
"But these are only possibilities and though in
entire accord with the provisions Of the new law
whether not they are to be realized depends al
together upon the Board OF Education. The Com
m.ssicners have. begun their work we'll ~ dividing
Will make 1t possible 10 have net more than four
five schools each district. The five inspectors
who are TO have charge OF each district will be
Gbe to exercise complete supervision this num-
Der OF schools and to keep themselves fully In
formed both as 10 the physical condition OF The
school buildings and as to the instruction OF the
children. l could wish that In the Mayors appoint
ment OF inspectors many OF the com2s tent trus-
tees having the interest Of the schools at keart. who
appointed on the new boards Of inspectors.
THE Board OF Education should only be required
to make rules and regulations for the two bodies
Bulding Department This viii enable the Board
of Education to do away to large extent with the
committee system, and relieve the Commissioners
OF the annoyance OF almost daily attendance upon
the meetings OF these committees, besides giving
them more tl9e to exercise control over the en-
tire system"