New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-12

NEW WAYS IN THE BOARD OF EDUCA-
TON

TALK WITH PRESIDENT HUBBELL ABOUT THE
METHODS NOW IN UsE-THE EFFECT
OF CONSOLIDATION
That some people in the community fail TO realize
that there is a order of things in the Board
OF Education, and that pulls" no longer po-
tent in the appointment and transfer of teachers,
was made evident by little incident in the Office
of President Hubbell. A teacher came to him ask
ing 10 be transferred to another school, and pre-
sented a letter signed by a Mr. Hubbell did
not Know, VINO requested favor TO him that
the transfer be made On inquiry, Mr. Hubben
learned that the teacher acquainted with
the man. bu, had secured the letter through
friend who did know him.
MY friend told me-" she said that her friend
knew you. and that you would be glad to oblige
him
The matter was explained to her. and she was
told that even II the president had the honor of
the acquaintance of the writer Of the letter Il
would make no difference; that transfers rot
made by favor under the present system but for
entirely different considerati tons This experience
throws some light on the methods that formerly
prevailed. and shows that there were "pulls' with
in pulls when the element now in the minority
had the upper hand in the Board of Education.
Speaking Of this occurrence and other matters
connected with the work Of the Board. President
Hubbell said 10 representative OF The Tribune:
The most important step in advance in the edu-
caional system OF the city was the abolition of the
ward trustees. and that is a feature which. i am
sure. has gone return. 1t was practically
the rural idea OF Board Of Trustees for every
school district and that plan is falling into dis
favor even In the country. The doing away with
the trustees added materially TO the work and
responsibility of the members of the Board OF Edu-
cation, and at the time it gave us a new
class Of school officials. refer the inspectors.
In my judgment. the system Of inspectors is work
ing well. though some OF them especially those
who had served trustees feel that they have
sufficient power. But the whole. they
doing their duty satisfactorily
APPOINTMENTS IN THE HANDS OF EXPERTS
Il do not see why any intelligent man who Is
not expert in such matters should desire 10
have The power of appointing teachers. For my
own part, although have been connected with the
Board OF Education for years. l 90 not feel
all competent act in such matter intelligently.
Under the present law We have placed it in the
most of them given their ives to the study Of edu
cational methods. The Board of Superintendent
believe. to the best Of their ABILITY and il they
continue to do so we have system as nearly ideal
IL is possible get in the conditions that exist
"On the whole, the new system is working well,
schools Of the city. There has been some dis
satisfaction account Of the large number of
from one school and placed in another have been
unable to understand the reasons that seemed to
feel that they being fairly treated and that
sr e %heTe d is Bs n t6 nS a
teachers and feeling Of esprit de corps that has
Board of Education. can say that they are de-
voting themselves to their duties at a considerable
realize the needs Of the city and are doing ali in
their power TO supply them
population has not been appreciated, and no sufii-
cent steps nave DSe H o b 10 eS has me beeS Song
for twenty-five years or more. Now we have
we have asked the Legislature for an appropria-
ton OF 100000, or. rather, we have asked it to
authorize the issue of bonds TO that amount for
the purchase of sites and the erection Of school.
houses. When, we asked for that sum. we meant
that we needed Just that much. and able
to tell the legislative committees that the people
of ss cy dd nS nams Sm S
expectation that slice would be taken Off when
10000 i believe that the prospect of securing
the amount asked for is excellent Besides that,
and that too. think Will be allowed The estab-
lishment Of high schools in New.York will have
Thoroughly good effect the educational system
In general
IMPORTANCE OF ORGANIZATION.
81 regard as Of importance the alliance II It may
be so called. which has been made between the
public schools and the Street Cleaning Department.
The effect the children will come mainly through
the organization of them and the influence which
flows from that, although they cannot be expected
10 realize this. Such organization began among
the boys, in fact with the Anti-Cigarette League
the object OF which was the suppression OF wee
and evil At the same time that they are sub
1cct the influences mat come from
the children being educated In the importance
OF cleanliness and good habits.
Still more important is the alliance made be-
tween the schools and the Department Of Health,
resulting in the medical inspection of the cchool
idea is not a one for in a report which ]
wrote seven eight years ago | suggested some
thing Of the kind though not good a system as
has been instituted. When the State undertakes
tho education of children ii assumes q great e.
sponsbility and | believe that 1t should see that
-, schools out ble-boded boys and girls.
when 1 say e-bodied 1 do athletic,
although / nave my own ideas of the value Of ath-
etics in education. But we should feel bound to
have examinations that will show whether the
child is suffering from impaired sight hearing,
and we should employ means TO prevent children
from assuming wrong positions. that will tend TO
weaken their lungs and make them consumptive,
and go POSSIBLY q burden on the State by-and-Oy."
In answer TO a question regarding the working
Of the school system under the new charter. Pre3i-
dent Hubbeil said: mo important change VIII be
effected bv consolidation since each Of the Dor
oughs is 10 retain autonomy as respects It's SCHOOLS,
and our Board of Education viii go on the lines
already adopted There will be central Board,
Il Is true but It's authority Will be general and no
change in the working Of our school system Is
likely to take place. save in the direction of inn
provement."
LITTLE LEFT TO SUGGEST.
As indicating the popular appreciation OF the
work which the Board Of Education is doing, Mr.
Hubbel showed letter which he received on Fri
day from J. Augustus Johnson, president OF Good