New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-04-28
FIRST STEPS IN SCHOOL REFORM

The first stage in the progress Of school re-
form was completed yesterday. when Governor
Morton signed the bill which Mayor Strong ap-
proved last week. 1t Is natural and proper to
rejoice In the accomplishment Of this difficult
and delicate task which. beginning fifteen
years ago, has been steadily prosecuted ever
since though not at all times conspicuously.
The obstacles have been many and obstinate,
the prospect has often been rather gloomy. ana
the gratitude Of the community Is due to those
who have given TO the work an immense amount
OF time and effort without thought of per-
sonal advantage But while congratulations are
in order. 1t must not be forgotten that this
legislative enactment is n mere preliminary.
essential to the purpose. but valueless by itself.
II too frequently happens that the public in
terest and the individual zeal which have been
successfully invoked in support of good cause
falter just when they are most needed. In this
case such relaxation Of energy would be cspe-
caly unfortunate, inasnuch as the most active
opponents Of the School BIZ are in n position 10
embarrass its operation if they are SO inclined.
OF course it is the duty of every member of the
Board of Education. whatever bis attitude may
have been hitherto. TO endcavor in perfect good
faith to make the new law serviccable in the
the wish and intention OF some 81 the Commits
soners who have strivcn to preserve the old
system. and IT, as we have heard. there are
others whose resentment at present disposes
them 10 take n contrary course, II may be hoped
that they will rise superior to that temptation
while opportunities for mischief are still open
TO them
The new law certainly Will not execute Itself
upon the intelligence and the rcctitule with
which IL i administered And thcrc ~ no time
to be wasted. for though the results Of the re
formed system will not begin To be dscerniblc
in the schools before another year. the law goes
into operation within about six weeks. and the
first action TO be taken under 1t is the one upon
which Its success or failure will be- bascd-name-
ly. the creation of the Board OF School Super.
intendents. with the City Superintendent at
their head. whose power end responsibility In
the matter of studies and Instruction the law
greatly cnlargcs. In the choice OF City Super
intcndent especially the Board Of Education Is
under the highest obligation to disregard every
consideration arising out Of personal associa-
tons and preferences. That official Is designed
to be the centre OF the system. in the fullest
sense; not hgurchead, but the chief source Of
HSHt anu "'"'' Il" '">Ph"'i'"'i i''''' h"' d"
mere regulator. 1t Is impossible for the Board
to set too high standard. This is essentially
a great office. and its incumbent ought 10 be Il
great man. He ought 10 answer 10 the oldtimc
designation Of gentleman and a schoar-an1
something more than that necessarily implies
He needs to possess the soundest practical sa-
gacty, and about the last man for the place
would be brilliant theor:st.
1t will be said that such combination of quail
tiles is hard to find, and we frankly admit IT,
But we say also that the Board Of Education
Is bound to look for the best and not to be
satisfied with anything less. at least until 1t
has to be