New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-20
considerable advantage II his manners can Dc
chastened, even though his politics may De III
capable OF improvement.
THE AHEARN BILL.


The errumcnts nut forth by the friends OF
tho Ahearn bill as reasons why Inc "o'erhof
should sign 1t are trihe confusing ii ~
urged that teachers should have better pay
than they now receive and that the Dill Is Il
measure of Justice to these worthy and hard-
worked public servants. But In almost the
same breath II is said that the Dill IS not such
a piece of extravaganza rs might he supposed
for. MS a matter OF fact, 1t fixes schedule OF
salaries by which the teachers Will get less
than they do in this borough now under the
School Boards schedule. with the exception OF
the lowest class. the teachers IN wnich are 10
have an increase Of only ST year 80 'he pun
lie Is left suspended between the OPINION 'hat
this bill arbitrarily raises salaries by leglsN''oh'
when the charter distinctly provides Tor hpso-
lute control of the question by the local hu-
thorties, and that 1t wickcdy reduces the com
pensation Of all but one grade OF teachers, IN
violation of hone-rulc rights.
Whichever it does 1t should be vetoed. Good
teachers should have good salaries, ana IL
should be the endcavor OF the School boards
TO pay salaries adequate TO the lntciliSehco
and labor required for teaching ms compared
with other branches Of the public service NO
body will begrudge the teachers liberal re-
ward for their services. BIT there Is right
wav and n wrong way to go about securing IT,
The Ahcarn bill is an essay In the wrong way.
In the first place it violates the home-rulc prln-
cpcs of both parties. The charter makes Inc
local school authorities responsible for the CON
duct Of educa tiopal affairs and confers upon
them mowers in accordance with systematic
and well-considercd plan. They have Just I'M
tbo cl,
before they are fairly at work this attempt 10
doctor the charter TO serve special interests Is
made by minority member of the Legislature
and passed by the majority under circum-
stances which stamp 1t plainly rs 4 deal biI'
such ne tho Governor is understood TO be IT.
rcvocahy committed against
If Tammanv's demand for home rule meant
ANYTHING. il meant for the Legislature TO alb
stain from Interference in matters intrustcd 10
local authorities Mayor Van Wyck has We
tocd bills on the simple ground that th" cry
Government had power 10 do what the Icgis-
laturo attempted lie should have vetoed the
Ahcarn bill on that ground hut his Idea of
home rule apparently is Tammany rule, ana
he protects local rights only when they are
Tammany rights.
Moreover. the bill, besides tamperlng with
the charter actually threatens the efficiency OF
the schools If getting rid Of incompetent
teachers were n simple matter, grading or sala-
rcs solely by length Of service might be well
enough. but It is well known that in practice
il is almost impossible to clean out deal wood
in the service. Therefore, 10 abolish by cxtcr-
nal mandate tho present system. taking account
Of both efficiency and length OF service, 10 make
seniority the only measure Of salary Is TO rob
tho teachers OF all ambition. 1t would result
in stereotyped Chinese school system, If any
thing could.