New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-06
THE BETTER WAY.

The Connecticut Legislature deserves much
credit for withstanding the temptation TO es'ao-
lsh bad precedent by rewarding out OF the
State Treasury a most excellent man who mas
rendered great public service through long
period Of years for small compensation. put YET
who has no legal claim upon the state. Inc
Hon. Henry Barnard, Of Hartford, is known
throughout thS country as an educator ana au-
thor. For sixty years he has been conspicuous
as an advocate Of reforms in the public schooi
system Of improved methods in the construc-
ton Of schoolhouses, of the introduction OF high
schools, teachers institutes and normal acad-
emies and Of most Of the changes which nave
tended to the elevation Of standards and broad
ening the scope of public instruction in our COM
mon schools A native Of Connecticut of when
State he has been resident most OF his HE.
his public service has not by any means been
confined TO that State. Rhode Island Wiscon-
sin and Maryland have enjoyed the advantages
of his active personal connection with their
educational institutions and as United states
Commissioner OF Education from 1861 TO 1871
the whole country experienced the benefits OF
his wide experience and his unselfish devotion
to the cause which absorbed his energies and
employed his time.
II was credtable to the State for whose COM
mon-school system he has done so much that IN
his declining years there should be very gen
eral feeling that something should be done III
the way Of public recognition of the debt or
gratitude that was due him. 1t was not strange
that this feeling found expression In resolu-
ton introduced in the Legislature to pay him
the sum Of $4,000 as such recognition OF that
debit As The Hartford Courant' put 1t;
Every person familiar with the history OF edu-
cation knows the great services of DR.. Bar
"nard and is conscious Of the claim that he has
ain his old age upon, not at all the charity, but
1.-THE gratitude Of the people of these latter days
days so much better by reason OF his labors.
The temptation 10 make the appropriation was
great. Public opinion was evidently on the side
Of the generous construction that ii was in the
nature Of payment of a neglected debt rather
than the bestowal of an unearned gratuity. It's
advocates ran no risk OF mourning the dsap-
prevail of their constituents by giving 1t their
support. On the contrary, It's opponents were
likely 10 subject themselves TO criticism as run
ming counter TO a commendable current Of gen
erous public feeling. 1t a case in which
1t cost them nothing to be generous, and the
argument that 1t was payment of a debt and
not a gratuity had an attractive plausibility.
Upon full consideration the proposition was
voted down, for the simple reason that il estab-
shed bad precedent 1t was wise action.
And now appears the better way 10 recognize
the obligation TO Dr. Barnard for his lifelong
service to the cause Of education. A way that
is not questionable at ALL that involves no doubt
full exercise Of legislative functions in constru-
ing as a debt an estimated balance due for SER
vices for which the legal compensation has been
already paid; but a way that has much more
significance and more heart In It. A Barnard
fund will be raised by voluntary subscription.
Justice Simeon L. Baldwin, Of the Supreme
Court has the honor Of starting it with 500, and
"The Hartford Courant," which will receive sub
sequent subscriptions to the fund, follows with
another Of the same amount. Under this plan
not only Connecticut people, but citizens Of other
States who honor DR.. Barnard and desire TO
express their sense of obligation for the great
service he has rendered the cause Of education,
may have the opportunity of contributing TO
this testimonial, and it Is confidently expected
that. instead OF $4,000 the amount raised will
be $4,000 or $4,000. The Legislature acted wise
ly In refusing TO establish bad precedent by
making an appropriation at the expense of the
taxpayers of the State, and now the citizens are
emphasizing its wisdom and exhibiting their
own generosity by raising larger fund by in
diyidual contributions.