New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-22
THE IMPLICATION SCHEME.
CHAIRMAN HOLLIS REPLIES TO SOME
PERSONAL AND GENERAL OBSERVA-
TIONS OF REGENT MKELWAY.
the Editor Of The Tribune.

TONS OF REGENT MKELWAY.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Inasmuch as you have given to the criticisms
Of Mr. ST. Clair McKelway the benefit Of your
large circulation among the friends OF education
in the State I am constrained TO ask you kindly
10 open your columns 10 a correction Of some OF
the statements Of fact regarding the work Of the
Commission on Unifcation contained in Mr.. Nc
Kelway's letter 10 his newspaper.
Mr. McKelway differs violently not TO say
Historically with the Commission regarding some
features OF the plan OF unihcaton which is 10 be
recommended TO the Legislature. This is his right,
and / have intention Of entering into news
paper controversy as TO the merits Of the plan
itself But when Mr. McKelway ascribes to the
members Of the Commission, and more especially
10 myself. interested and unworthy motives for
the decisions which have arrived at deliberately
and carefully. after hearing both SIDES Of the ques
ton. he puts himself into position which. upon
reflection he would hardly wish TO occupy. The
assignment OF motives. while IL may have more or
less psychological interest a self-revelation
lacks all essential attributes Of helpful criticism
II is simply not the fact that, with reference 10
the ex offcio members OF the Board OF Regents.
Of them was dropped because he failed 10 support
q personal ambition OF mine and the other Re
cause OF his religious faith.
Mr. McKelway's statement that twice
unsuccessful candidate for Regent is misleading
IN 1885, Immediately after the Constitutional Con-
vention. in which IL my fortune chairman
Of the Committee on Education 10 make report
touching upon unihcaton-whch the Board Of
Regents have so far honored with their approval
70 reprint and circulate il in large numbers-my
name was mentioned in connection with the va
cancy then existing. The point was made 10 me
by friends Of DR.. Van Der Veer that he had been
the minority nominee at the previous election, and
therefore had a right. under party usage. 10 the
nomination al that time. / therefore declined 10
allow my name TO be mentioned in the caucus.
Two years alter, while was seriously III at home
another vacancy occurred, and unbeknown 10 me-
agitation was again started in my favor /
time after convalescence that Mr.. Lord had not
not went to see him and asked him the ques-
Ton and upon ms SAYING thdd ne %GIld Oe snS
struggle for the place. l never asked Mr. LORD
SONS received repeated and unsought assurances
that nearly all Of the members Of the Board or
5oad be 9 esced snd y Which these
two experiences might have had upon my recent
Of men for whom have always had the highest
out Of their way to assure me OF their confidence
and kindly feeling, and who as a 3Sody. are OF
course, not responsible for their colleagues eA-
Mr.. McKoiway proceeds to say: He (meaning
Chancellor, without the appreciation to realize
thai Of all men in the world ne one most ,P9
ns,5st Mr. McKeiway, Of course knows that the
safest way to launch conjecture without becom-
Ing directly responsible for Il is TO introduce IT
OF yellow Journalism" this might be considered
clever, but II hardly COMFORTS with MI Nickel
ways eminent rank In his profession Moreover
man VINO is a member Of what he a1ably and
mOdestly describes ION the whole the most
respectable department Of the government, ana
who wishes that department TO have supreme con-
troll the public schools. shOuld remember tHdl
the latter are expected 10 teach children ingenu-
business and fairness not only by textbooks, but
by the example their elders and superiors. II Is
understood by any who cares 10 know mat
am not a candidate for Chancellor hopeful or
otherwise
am not an educator. and therefore ineligible
under any proper standard Of appointment 10 the
oihce, Il has been proposed and It's acceptance
~ me would be out Of the question even II tnIs
1--we Of persons who cannot understand the at at
.afuue OF any potential IN creating new Oi,ie
H~ltnout intriguing for II himself but surely MI.
eiway is not 10 be classed IN inns ca
a. ''nk 70 90 with the decisions Of the CommissloL
- DSoIute!y without foundation the merits OF
OI pan are fairly open 10 discussion, ana lhe ei-
pee ana dgnihed criticism contained IN your
TSl.ti-Isn winch only be helpful 70 the LesIs-
ot-,e IN coming 70 a sound conclusion Wheh as
yyin you IN hoping. they Will take up our recon-
"4,s4udtIois with calmness and elaboration.
II mere is reluctance the part OF a great
pIop,gIuoH OF tae people OF this State 70 inuust
ue NsTslty, az now constituted with the entHe
O55t.rfyi 81 ne pu0lic school system, some or the
lholVldual Regents need not seek far for reasons
Whlch lrnpel the people believe that they are by
70 means so Iair, wise. dignned and ef1cent a
D{1y az IHsy sometimes claim 10 be. Every one
W. Has tht sishtest acquaintance with puDnc
eplnon IN mis- State and who has followed the I'M
k.Hteu 10 aiiag; II possible. knows that no Legs
o,.it "Ouo thlhk Of giving 20 the Board or he,
stl.s, ~ az present constituted. the unrestricted
.hoice OF me chief executive OF the public school
lystem; Governor Roosevelt told the Regents so
very plainly last spring and his statement has
VIZ "eeh Aho cannot he controverted The he-