New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-09-15
THE SCHOOL, SCANDAL.

"Scondolous" is n hard word. But II ~ de-
,iherotelv opplIed by a welnformcd and re-
sponsible officer to the present state OF ahairs
in the schools Of this city. Nominally the pub
lie schools were opened freely to all children on
Monday last Actually they were opened I'D
onlv those who were fortunate enough to come
early and avoid the rush" Against thousands
Of children their doors are barred. simply be
cause Of lack OF room. Other thousands VIII w
admitted for only halliday each and then be
turned out TO make room for others who VIII pe
admitted for the remaining halliday. Thou-
sands will get no schooling at all, but will grow
ND most Of them necessarily In ignorance
many of ;hem in actual vice Statistics show
that juvenile mlsdcmcanors are nearly twice as
numerous during vacation rs when schools are
in session The inevitable Inference Is that the
children who are deprived of school privileges
are far more likely to fall into evil ways than
those who enjoy them. In brief. then we are
deriving thousands Of future citizens OF inc
means necessary TO make them good cltizehS'
and are giving them strong impulse In the dl-
lection of becoming bad citizens. III that is not
scandalous. We should be glad TO know what
it Is.
The provision Of ample school facilities Is ono
of tho absolutely elemental and fundamental
duties Of the government. II II that for The Two
prmc reasons that upon its discharge depends
the character OF citizenship. and therefore the
highest welfare Of the State. and that II II be
neglected for even time the harm thus done
can never he undone. lf spccdways are ho'
opcned or streets repaved or other public works
performed this year they can he next year ana
no pcrmoncnt harm TO the city will cnsue. But
10
novcr got what they have missed. You cannot
turn back the calendar Of life. The harm NAV
T.. done to them. and to tho community Of which
they are constituent parts. Is grave. permanent
and rremcdiable The other works are dcsira-
hle: this one Is essential
The policy Tint should be pursued Ia per
fpctly simple one. capable OF mathematical
demonstration The school-age population OF
the city Is steadily Increasing nj certain we'll
known ratio The schoolhouse accommodations
Of tho city should he increased just rs steadily
in equal ratio. Each year adds so many thou
sand children to the rolls. Each year there
should he built schoohouses with deskroom for
so many. And the money needed for such con
structlon should he appropriated as matter OF
course lust as II il for the salaries OF the Mnyor
and Aldermen. Indeed. II might be we'll to have
! such appropriation made mandatory by the
charter so that II will be adjusted and effected
automatically Al the present moment some
thing more is needed. Schoolhousc building Is
! in arrears The city ought 10 begin this very
| morning 70 make up the arrears. and II ought 10
do II with the energy and expedition shown In
private enterprises such ms the rebuilding OF
| the Sixth-ave railrond. If IL did so. school
room for oil could he provided in temporary
quarters ny Monday morning next md in FIRST
class permanent edfccs by the opening Of the
next school year.