New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-06
EDUCATIONAL MITIGATION.
THE COMMISSIONS sCHEME-sOUND ON THE MAIN
POINT, BUT NOT IN ALL DETAILS.

THE COMMISSIONS sCHEME-sOUND ON THE MAIN
POINT BUT NOT IN ALL DETAILS.
From The School Bulletin.
The Educational Unihcatlon Commission held its
meagre reports given in the newspapers Of the pro
ceedings disclose their importance and foreshadow
the action of the Commission which undoubtedly
Will recommend unihCaton of our entire state edu-
catonal system under the supervision or the
Regents OF the university.
AS we have on other occasions indicated, We are
opposed to any present material alteration of the
constitution of the Regents. The most miscnieVous
ing their tenure OF Office from that of life to
Stewart effectively deals with that question She
rightly ascribes the most accrediting feature OF
tanned non-partlsan character-to their tenure OF
office. Miss Stewart well illustrates and justihes
If the election should be for, term of years
instead of for life our educational system
would lose the benefit of the wholesome protection
against attempted political domination which
n Inf g They are BUT human IKE others who
shall succeed them, and to the permanent tenure
the origin and unbroken continuance of their most
honoring distinguishing ana important cnafao c
litical control They have no need to consider
what might be the effect upon their prospec,ts LOT
accord with the selfish purposes OF some tempo
rary political magn9te." .,,a...,o., .,o. .,,o,-
life tenure not only makes II easy Tor them 70
maintain independence in official action; but such
efforts unworthy to influence them.
But when all due weight has been given TO he
in favor Of the Regents life tenure. there Is a
further and not less important advantage that
haps. political managers. consciously or otherwise
are largely Influenced in selecting their candidates
for the Office Of Regent of the university by the
fact that owing to the life tenure of the ofice us
incumbents when once elected are beyqnu paf' h
undoubtedly been primarily potent IN bringing
into the membership of their Board the eminent men
he la St graced
high station.
AGE LIMIT UNNECESSARY.
As to retirement on account of age 70 terminate
their period Of usefulness By an arbitrary age
wise but ungracious. Some would turn them out
Of seysny dr not ws at n S Stea case OF
our Judges But. however that may be. there Is no
analogy between the two services Inc nc, ire5
of the Regents. In their chief sphere OF usetu..
ness the Seasoned wisdom OF mature years is OF
the highest value And it would be a serious loss
denrIved Of The instruction Of their elder brothers
in debate or of the steadying OF the latters CON
servative votes at any time before total infrmity
membered that more often it is only in the later
years Of life when ordinary pressing activities havr
coincide permit in any large degree general de-
voon Of ones powers to gratuitons service he ol
! shall linger now and then one 10 whom little re-
mains but years and hon3Ts sha any Gr tnT T 10
down? Existing conditions bring their successors
! enough, and fast enough TOT SpdSunlns Ill anu
| assimilation by the Board
Since the foregoing written and Just as we
! go TO press the daily papers are puDhshihg an
! been given out by the Educational Unihcaton Com
mission for public consideration during the interval
! before their next meeting. on December H.
While we are much gratihed that they. pro-
pose TO accomplish unihcation substantially as
We have urged-under the Regents OF the uni
versity with their chancellor for chief educational
executive-we regret that the Commission should
needless and harmful proposed changes in the con-
stution OF the Board of Regents and an Illogical
Nothing be gained by the suggested dropping
Of eN officio members, and something may be lost
Their presence in the Board is never detrimental
but often useful In promoting better understand
ing win an eAls,"s TIL La heIn tn Leen the
Board in closer touch with prevailing public senti
As before indicated we do not approve Of max
ing the age OF seventy an arbitrary limit TO q
propose. And It is quite needless and Illogical &c
favor essening the size OF me Board OF regents
appointment at one swoop OF nine new members rs
experienced persons cannot be judclous, and. what
ovar the motive Il clearly is an unWise example
~ sat Cor The incitement of future Legislature
which for unworthy purposes may wish to chang
suddenly the character and control of the state
suDervjsing educational Board. Danger turks II
SuAsI pppointment by the Governor and confirmation
nv Ppbe senate. as the Commission seems to con
template for its future. may not be a bad way t
MAKE Regents; but why change from the presen,
he same honoring dignity as that Of the choice o
tinted states Senator? 1t has worked well 70
! over a century. 49, -. !, ..ea. =,
IN some Of the foregoing matters may be regard
ed az OF minor importance, the Commissioners Ger
! tainly have been led into a very serious mistak
/ In their reported recommendaton OF one specia
sub-department. TO be called the department o
public education-to have charge of all tax support
| ed schools including high schools.
In that they have surprisingly ignored the con
trary expressed judgment OF the eminent educa
tlonal experts who appeared before them.
To get such In many ways unrelated school
| under one domination Is tho old unquenchabl
anxiety of the present Department Of Public In
struction. and against this our best teachers nav
again and again protested. Now Is the time 70
them be heard once more from one end OF III
State TO the other. and explicitly that the mis-
taken thought will be rejected by the Commits
| sioners at their next meeting, December IL.
J II Is earnestly hoped the Commission Will reaiz
| the danger OF failure TO their desires II they tr
10 do too much. There IL and will be "a substantial
unanimty OF sentiment throughout the State Il
favor OF educational uniiceton under the Regent
OF the university, with their chancellor for chic
executive This constantly strengthening sent
will receive Legislative recognition and
| quescence. But to attempt at this time more tina
i that, whether well conceived not or to endeavo
| TO crystalline into statutory many details wi
| arouse at each step opposition and multiply centre
| OF contention whose dividing activities may wrec
| the whole plan This is what the enemies unit
| cation desire and Of the ways in which the
] will seek TO accomplish i.er obstructive purpose