The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-01-02

with millions of money in theis hands,
place tpe control Of those funds snd in
vestments In the hands OF a small body OF
the shrewdest men In finance and the
SUCCESS or failure of their operations de-
pende on the ability and the efficiency
OF the directors. Competent clerks and
bank examiners cannot make good the
deficiencies of the managers, nor the
losses that follow the dishonesty and
neglect of bank officials. In q
higher sense, tho education of the child
should be committed to men who will
| give time to the investment, and sympa-
thetic and intelligent lsbors for the pub
| lie good.
Ii 10 this recognition of the vital inn
! portance Of . we'll organized and effective
school board to system of city schools
that has led to the great school reform OF
our time In the reduction OF large school
committees to small school boards. For
eign educators have in the past criticised
us most severely for the want OF good
organization and efficient school manage
ment and have given the highest credit
for the best educational results Ia cities
having boards OF education of from five
to nine members. Western cities like st.
notable examples of the most advanced
schools In the country under such boards.
So general has been the movement for
small school boards that q large schoo
committee is now the exception in our
large American cities. New York, under
her new city charter, has just adopted a
small board Of education and st. Louis 10
discussing the change at the present
moment. Providence, il she delays long
will be the last Of the older cities to make
the change.
1t 10 an interesting and convincing fact
that the ighest educational authority in
the country, The National Education
Association, has within three years by a
committee of IS experts. declared unani-
mously In favor.of small boards OF educa-
tion. This committee consisted of DIR.
William T. Harris, United States commits
sioner Of education; Superintendent
ssaver Of Boston, Superintendent Lane of
Chicago, Superintendent Maxwell of
Brooklyn, Superintendent Ballet of
Springfield, Superintendent Dong herty of
Peoria, superintendent Tarbsll of Provi- |
dencs, superinten dent Jones OF Indian |
apolis, Superintendent Greenwood of Kan
sas City, State superintendent Poland of
New Jersey, Superintendent Brooks of |
Philadelphia, President Draper of the |
University OF illinois, Superintendent |
Gilbert OF st. Paul, and Superintendent |
Cooper OF Texas. This large and infiuen-
tial body of distinguished educators con-
sidered and discussed for .sone year the
su oiect Of elementary education -report-
ing on training of teachers, courses of |
study, and the organization of school
systems. The especial attention of the
is called to the arguments and
of that committee as they
cover the whole ground of this discus
sion, under "The Organization of City
school Systems"
In brief the committee declaress
1st. That the administration OF the
business side OF school affairs should be
entrusted TO small body of capa BILE ana
'fiicient men. Capability, adequate au-
hority and quick public accounta bility
ire the conditions of greatest efficiency In
he Board.
z. That the courses OF study, text
books, and instruction should he placed
IN scientific educational basis by super
Using experts. The first is the worK of
'ood business men, the second of pro-
essionsl educators.
3. That the people, whose children are
nder instruction are best represented In
system which secures the best educs-
ion for tho chilrden, under small boards
I education.
4. That the most efficient board of
ducation should consist of not less than
We nor more than nine mem bers in
tiles Of less than 800, 900 people.
8. That these mempe should be
hosen not to represent any ward or dis
'ict OF city. or any party or religious
,ct, but should represent the common
iucational interests of the whole popula-
on.
9. That the members ahould be an
ointive, and hold Office for q period of
We years.
z. That the Board should possess only
gisiative functions, determine the gen.
al policy OF the school system, and con-
ol the expenditures. but should make !
D appointments.
s. That the chief executivs of the sys.
m should be the superinten dent, elected ,
r term sufficient to test his ability p
I'd methods, and determine all matters
lative to instruction. The COMMITTEES
oses its report with:the declaration that
10 experience of the world shows that o
ere can be no substantial solution of o
% school problem until the principles Ii
ated are recognized and : acted on, @
hich gives to the business interests q
lsiness footing, places teaching upon en- G.
pert basis and gives to the instructor o
ID the instruction that protection and 81
which is vital to the de- p
lopment of all professional and scisn- %