New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-04-24
THE MAYOR APPROVES IT.
SIX REASONS FOR ACCEPTING THE COM
PROMISE BILL.

SCHOOL REFORM ONLY AWAITS THE GOVERNORS
SIGNATURE TO THE MEAsURE-LITTLE
DOUBT NOW THAT THE TRus-
TEES WILL GO.
Mayor Strong announced late yesterday after
noon that he had given the Pavey-Page Com
promise) School bill his approval The fact be-
came known just after long interview which
the Mayor had with Robert Macay. president of
the Board Of Education. and Charles Strauss, the
School Commissioner. who with President Ma
clay had been active in opposing the bill. Mr..
Maclay and Mr. Strauss reiterated their argu-
ments against the measure but without avail.
Mrs. Lorllard Spencer who was one OF the most
enthusiastic advocates of the BILL had talk with
the Mayor earlier In the day.
A report was circulated yesterday that the
Mayor In reality approved the PaveyPage bill on
Wednesday, and had told q member Of the Board
OF Education on Wednesday evening when ap-
preached by the latter on the subject that his sig
nature then affixed to the document. THE
story is absolutely untrue" said the Mayor. II
did not sign the bill until docking at the clock
in the Mayors Office just about twenty minutes
before o'clock ct then few minutes after
8 p. m) told no member Of the Board Of Edu-
cation or anybody else that approved the bill on
Wednesday, The statement has no foundation
whatever"
WHY THE MAYOR APPROVES 1T.
The Mayor sent the bill back to Albany by mall
last evening. He made the following statement
OF his reasons for accepting the measure
l. It Is the outgrowth. although a compromise.
OF a bill that originated with the Board OF Educa-
tion and has been indorsed by majority OF the
Committee OF Seventy. which committee originated
and largely contributed TO the discussion OF reform
in our school system.
. It divides the city into school districts. and
while II provides that the number Of districts shall
not be less than nfieen. permits an Increase In
the number CT such districts. according as the
Board of Education shall determine that condi-
tons demand such increase. The bill requires the
Mayor to appoint Ave inspectors In each school
districH and IT may prove wise TO make some OF
these selections from among the present trustees
3 The bill creates In substance n plan OF civil
Service nre,erment enabling the Superintendent OF
Schools 10 thoroughly examine candidates for pro-
motion which work VII thus be done by trained
educators more likely to select competent teachers
and vet IN no way interfere with the present p II
cpals and teachers. and should insure rome out
thoroughly qualified persons being selected TO in
struct our school children The superintendent or
Instruction recommends the names Of teachers ard
principals for appointment. and they are tfen
actually appointed by majority vote OF the Roard
ot Education.
{ The responsible and Increase or power thus
conferred upon the Board OF Education Will. In my
Judgment insure additional discipline in the gen
eral management OF our schools. and accomplish
mora prompt action in the correction Of abuses
that may have gradually crept into the manage
ment Of our schools through the boards OF trustees
r The concentration OF authority makes n pos
sbIe 10 locate At once the responsibility Tor any
m,smanagernent in the school system. and makes II
,mpossibie to shirk such responsibility, and thus
enahler pubc sentln make Itself felt Directly
IN case OF any derecuon in school management
s Any added expense that may ne incurred
through n change In the law remains where II
should with the Board OF Estimate and Appor-
,lonmeni responsible in the FIRST instance Tor inc
expenditure OF the city's money.
COMMISSIONER HUBBELLs VIEWS.
s,hooI Commissioner Charles Bulkley Hubbell.
Who has been one OF the foremost advocates OF
the bill. said TO a Tribune reporter last evening:
"If the measure receives the Governors ap-
nroval. as we have every reason TO believe II
will the Board OF Education will doubtless pro-
coed at once 70 map out The school districts
made necessary under the bill am Inclined 10
think that there will be at leas, thirty such dis
,r,c,s although the bill leaves It optional with
the Board as TO whether or not there shall De
mora than fifteen districts The bill goes into
enoc, on June l. but the matter OF mapping out
tho districts can be disposed Of expcdiuously. so
soon az IN. bill becomes a law. In each district
there will be 1--WE local officers. VINO are 10 he
known ns inspectors. their duties being super
yisory and lnspectorial 1t Is expected that
they Will keen the Board Of Superntendents ana
the School Building Department Informed as
IN the conditions and necessities ot the schools
81 uould not be at all surprised 10 hear that
the Mayor would appoint as inspectors many OF
those men and women who have rendered ex-
cellent service as trustees. AS SAID IN my
argument before the Mayor In favoring this
hill believe that the money that can be saved
under the operation Of the system will be
almost II not quite, enough to pay for all 'ne au-
d,ionsl services required under the Compromise
bill We will save a considerable amount IN the
salaries that have heretofore been paid to prin-
c,pals for their services 10 the various ooards
Of trustees In the capacity OF clerks. feel very
c.rtain that after this new system has been In
oneration for a year no real friend OF public
.duca,ion in New-York could be induced to re-
turn to the old method.
40 cArsL FOR DISCORD IN THE BOARD.
7, view of the fact that only six members OF
the Board OF Education mad favored the meas
ure. while fifteen mad opposed it vigorously 1t
had been thought that the probable success
of the bill would be likely to produce discord
4, the BOARD Speaking of this Mr.. Hubbell
said: "I have such confidence In my colleagues
,hat am certain no differences will arise. and
MORA than this. and those who have opposed
tho hi, will do everything In their power to
make II a success.
personally I consider the success OF the
compromise measure "A great victory. especially
In view OF the fact that we encountered such
great opposition at the hands II the trustees
and OF the school-teachers. This was due 10
M
,ireIv misinformed TO the provisions or the
bin Notwithstanding tie fact that l must re-
ioice I'm the assured triumph OF school reform.
NV opposition to the trustee system Is not
hased upon any personal feeling against the
trustees. and II never has been My conviction
has been all along that 1t was Impossible TOT
IT NJ o.