The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-11-26
VIEWS ON SCHOOL MIDDLE.
NOW INTERESTED PERSONS WOULD
sTRAIGHTEN IT OUT

It IL Generally Conceded That Legislation
Is Needed, but Opinions Differ as to the
Form of LegisIation-BillsT That Are suR-
gested-Commissioners OFFER Solutions.
The revival Of talk recently concerning lcgis-
lative reform for the Board Of Education and tho
public school system in general as result Of tho
salary and other muddles, has given rise TO many
suggestions among those interested in educational
affairs as to The best measures by which this re-
form can be secured That some legislation
must be enacted by which a simplHcaton Of the
present system may be brought about has become
a conviction not only in the minds OF many Of
tho members Of the Board OF Education, but also
among others outside II, who have the educa-
uonal interests Of the city at heart. Ever since
the charter went into effect many evils in the
solidated system Of schools have been Observed
and at the last session Of the Legislature a de-
termined effort was made to secure the passage
OF measures correcting them Some Of the plans
proposed at that time had the support Of mem
bers Of the Board Of Education. although emnnat
Ing from outside sources. The movement Of
last year resulted In the introduction Of two bills
one by Senator Ford and the other by Senator
Elsbcrg Both bills fell through. however, be-
cause Of the strength Of the sentiment then exist
ing that the charter had not had a thorough trial
and that In another year many Of Its apparent
defects would work out all right II is doubtful
II any Of the supporters Of these measures forcsaw
at that time the condition Of affairs which has
now been preciptated. although II was pointed
| out that there was surely a stumbling block In
the way Of education in this city Of the bills did not
pass.
Tho strong sentiment at present in favor Of
legislation to correct the defects in the school
system Is chiefly duo to the salary muddlc, which
IL by far the most serious Of all the troubles
that have disturbed the equanimity Of the cdu-
cauonal authorities since consolidation II IL
| the salary muddle more than anything else that
has lately induced members Of the Board Of Edu-
cation together with several members II the Legis-
lnture 10 consider radical changes in the present
| system. and in all probability this will result
| In the presentation at Albany this winter Of at
| least two bills, and possibly third which will
propose to substitute for the present School Board
a paid commission Of from one to three members.
far no one has come out very openly in advocacy
Of such measure. hut II Is reported that Mayor
Van wyck and other Tammany men favor H.
| The other two plans proposed are quite the
| opposite NJ each other one Of them being to cen
talizc the power in the Board Of Education. and
| the other being to abolish this body altogether
| and let each borough run schools indcpcn ,ly
| OF the others State Senator Elsberg has stated
| that he would introduce hill the lines Of the
| former plan, his scheme being TO wipe out the
| borough boards entirely and vest the nbso
lutte ontrol Of the school system in central board
| OF about nineteen members appointed by tn,
| Mayor More power would be given TO the City
| Superintendent by Senator Elsberg's bill a.
the Borough Supcrinendents would be mad,
his subordina,es, q position which they do no
| occupy in any sense now. To conc!liate III,
| Brooklyn members, the Senator proposes 10 Civ,
them equal representation in the new board
but as the Brooklyn School Committee system
would probably he abolished by the bill, IL l.
! hardly likely that the measure as a consequence,
will have much support In Brooklyn. Mos
OF the Commissioners in that borough arc know
10 be very strongly in favor Of plai
10 separate the school interests they befor
consolidation
| No member OF the Legislature has yet app~at re-
hs the father Of such measure. but the indica
tons are thaiii will b. presented at Albany. prob
ably by some Brooklyn Senator or Assc mbly
man. A SuN reporter interviewed n numbcr q
| school commissioners yesterday with the obicc
OF finding out the' opinions in regard 10 the pre-
ro%rd changes, and although many views wcr
expressed. nearly all appeared 10 regard imms
diar reform OF some kind an absolute necessity
Charles {, birmingham. Of the Manhattan
, Borough Board. and one Of the few surviving
members Of the old Reform Board appointed b.
Mayor Strong, said he believed the situation a
present TO he intoierabc The school system,
said Mr. birmingham. docs not work well 10
the reason that there appears to I've no gcn-rou
! effort TO make II work as the charter trainers in
, tended IL should Much Of the present ltoubl
( IL due 10 friction between the borough board
and The Central Board. and the only cure for tn
| evil, in my opinion, H. in centrailElng tie power