New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-28
TO UNITY THE SCHOOL SYSTEM
SPECIAL COMMISSION HOLDS ITS FIRST sEo-
SION AT ALBANY-DIsCUSSloN oN
AN IMPORTANT SUBJECT.

Albany Nov. q (speciaD.-The commission re-
Gently appointed by Governor Roosevelt 10 ara"
up measure for unifying the educational systems
Of the State held It's first meeting to-day IN the
rooms Of the Assembly Committee on ways anu
Means The members Of the commission are FRED
erick w Hollis. of Yonkers, who was elected chair-
man; ex-Judge Joseph +. DAILY, of New-fork' VINO
was elected secretary; Melvil Dewey, secretary VI
the Board Of Regents; Danforth E. Ainsworth
Deputy Superintendent Of Public Instruction. hoo-
ert F. wilkinson. OF Poughkeepsie, and Niliiam
Herman Of Utica One Of the members or the
commission ex-senator Daniel II. Mcmillan, OF
Buffalo. absent in Colorado.
The members OF the Commission at noon called
upon Governor Roosevelt and were welcomed by
him the city. A little later the Commission met
and elected it's officers. 1t then listened for three
hours to addresses from prominent educators IN
regard to the unicaton Of the educational systems
OF the State. Addresses were made by President
William J. Milne OF the State Normal College, Al
bany: c. w. Bandeen. Syracuse. Editor OF THE
School Bulletin; Superin Maxwell, OF the
New York schools; F. d. Boynton, principal OF the
Ithaca High School, and Charles W. Cole. superin-
tendent OF the Schools OF Albany.
MR. MILNE5 VIEWS.
President Milne made The first address. He said
that the educators of the State were practically
unanimous in favor Of unifcation Of the educa-
tlonal systems OF the State At present there was
a duplication OF examinations. Of inspectors. OF
reports and school expenses. All this was unneces-
sary One reason for the defeat OF the White Edu-
cational bill of last year was that It was framed
and modified in the interest of persons who were
in office and who wished 10 retain those Offices. The
bill this present Commission was TO frame should
be entirely independent of such considerations. He
would propose the appointment OF new officer 10
be known az Commissioner Of Education 10 be
elected by the Regents and 10 be vested with the
executive power conferred on the Regents and
I l4,
posed commissioner Of education should appoint the
heads of departments as follows: a Bureau OF Ele-
mentary Education. a Bureau OF Secondary ana
ton. He would keep separate the control Of sec
ondary from that of elementary education.
HIGH CHARACTER OF THE OFFICE.
! Superintendent Maxwell said he agreed with
President Milne as the necessity Of a unlcation
Of the school systems, but thought 1t would be
much wiser than to create new Office, to confer
! the duties he had outlined upon an office that al
| ready existed and that bore the most desirable re-
! lation to the present existing systems, namely,
| that of Chancellor of the University. That office
! vested with these powers and given the tenure OF
office and salary of the Judges Of the Court OF APP
peals would be the most desirable educational
! office in the United States and would command the
services of any educator. howsoever eminent The
Office would elevate and dignity the entire teaching
profession He saw 20 use Oh an age liinlt IN re-
! brighter after seventy years or age IMAM DeIor'
| c. w. Bardeen said that the criticisms which
! had been offered should not be UNDERSTOOD as I'M
! plying that good work not done In both de-
| psrtments OF education. In one there were uni
! from examinations and teachers classes ana u
| the other Regents examinations and library ex;
J amlnatiops. These the best In the United
| States These good features should be retained
in any change which should be made; the chang.
! should be in the direction Of growth and not oil
| substitution. He welcomed the suggestion OF Su
| perintendent Maxwell that the Chancellor OF tht
University should be the head Of the school sys
| tenn of the State. AS to any change In the BOARD
| of Regents he had positive views that no change
| should be made ,, ~
| Charles W. Cole, Superintendent Of Schools, o.
Albany. said he favored the preservation OF 6oti
! dena rfments but he would make the line or laoOl
| OF each department distinct He would deprive
the Legislature however. of authority to seec
The Superntendent of Public Instruction, and nave
him appointed by the Governor, go
Tohn H. Peck, OF the Troy POLYTECHNIC Institute
said he also favored making the Chancellor of thu
/ University the head OF the school system OF TN
! state The Commission will hold another anC
final meeting tomorrow. but Will not hear any
mar evidence.