New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-10-06
rAMMANr.s WAR on TIE RIGH

TAMNANY'S WAR on THE HIGH SCHOOLS.
Tammany seems to have an undying hatred
for anything Ike enlightened education Its
natural desire for spoile prompts II to keep the
schools in politics but that we'll understood mo-
tive seems hardly adequate TO explain the
depth and persistcncy of its antagonsm 70 any
thing that IS really excellent in school man
agement 1t must he that the instructive re-
pulsion from light to darkness has something
To do with IT, Founded on ignorance, it seems
10 know n dangerous enemy in a school Of high
standard. and TO consider the existence Of n
teacher who has no pull as a standing reproach
and criticism of its prevailing policy. The
Board Of Education was one Of the special Ob-
iccts Of Mayor Van Wyck's bitterness when he
first took Office Toward its president he dis
played more abusive and insulting disposition
than even lie had for anybody else his predcccs-
sor included RolcntlesSly. step 10y step Tam
many has gone on seeking to drive ont all expert
teaching ability which was introduced into the
school system in the last administration on
grounds OF merit II makes virtue Of its love
for antiquated ana imperfect educational proc
esscs It proclaims itself blind to all the prog
ress Of other cities ana countries. and courts
the ignorance and crime on which it Is founded
by telling them that their narrowncSs ana their
prejudice are something TO be proud of and to
be protected against the iuroads Of modern
science and technical training
The latest warfare on sound teaching Is III
rcctcd against tho high schools. They are too
good. The standard requirements for teachers
are too high There Is danger that the children
will not be left sufficiently in darkness. and OPP
portunity must be afforded for the Introduction
int no cqhe pf ton an
principals. Accordingly the Borough Board Of
Manhattan and The Bronx IS seeking a loophole
through which TO begin tho work Of dcstruc-
ton Il thinks It has discovered that the law
allows it TO fix the minimum requirements for
principals and teachers Of high schools and
training schools. and it plans TO abolish the
present system Of licenses for these places. so
that It can Ill them without suhicctng favored
applicants 10 any embarrassing tests Now
these schools are assured Of staffs Of a high
character who will compare favorably with
other faculties I'm similar schools throughout the
country. bur the adoption Of the plan proposed
would utterly destroy their efficiency and open
them to the intrigue and ignorance which have
been so long the bane Of orr common schools.
II might seem almost useless 20 hope for any
thing better from school administration that
sioncr Agar. who is untlring In his devotion to
good schools. sees no chance 10 accomplish any
good. and gives M tho attempt oven TO mod
crate the evils Of the Tlmmany policy At the
same time il is said that even m unrestraned
majority ~ spoil-men are under some limita-
tons. and that there L. chance yet 10
rescue the high schools from their clutches
The school laws are complicated. and Tammany
has an Interpretation upon them which seems
"a give II a free hand. but Il IS possible that the
city Superintendent may have a veto power
He and the central Board Of Education may
make minimum requirement for all super
visng and teaching places TO be filed by the
borough boards They have. n is asserted done
50 with regard Il the high school places and if
50. II is difficult 10 see how a borough board.
whatever lis licensing right can set up a new
standard lower than that minimum Nor is II
APPARENT that even the central board can with
out the superintendent consent change n rule
which he was by law party In making. II
is 10 be hoped that Or. Maxwell has the All
thorty 10 save the high schools. His task cam
not be grateful one. ~ stand rs sole hul-
wark Of civilization against q barbarian in
curson. But II be is intrenched in law with