New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-10-24
TO UNITY SCHOOL SYSTEM.
GOVERNOR ROOSEVELT HAS APPOINTED
A SPECIAL COMMISSION
1rADrxo LAWYERS OF THE STATE NAMED
TO DRAW Up A STATUTE FOR

THE LEGISLATURE.
LnY rELEeRApM To rHE TRIRrNE.l

t0-nTg1f
sion to draw up statute for the unhcation OF the
school system Of the state partly under the
control OF the Regents OF the University and parity
under that OF the Superintendent OF Public lnstruc
ton This statute will be presented TO the Legis-
lature II is expected. as soon a. II convenes' IN
January next.
The men appointed to this responsible duty are
Frederick " Hollis recently the secretary OF the
delegates to the Peace Conference In Europe Mel
VII f. Dewey. secretary Of the Board OF Regents;
Danforth f. Ainsworth. Deputy superintendent Of
Public Instruction. ex-Judge Joseph F. DAILY OF
New-York; ex-senator Daniel II. Mcmillan. OF Buf-
falo Robert F. wilkinson. OF Poughkeepsie and
William Herman, Of Utica. Judge Daily and Mr.
Herman two Democrats. arc thus made members
Of the Commission
MI Hollis was a member OF the Constitutional
Convention and chairman Of the Committee on
Education OF that body. Ex-senator Mcmillan.
who is a well known lawyer Of Buffalo. also was a
member Of the Constitutional Convention. and took
great interest In the discussion OF educat onal sub
jects 1t was at the suggestion OF Mr.. Hollis mat
Mr.. Mcmillan appointed n member OF this new
Commission. Robert r Wilkinson IL a leading
lawyer II Poughkeepsie and was chairman OF the
Commission on tho charter Of third class cities.
William Herman Is one OF the most prominent
lawyers Of Utica.
1t will be noticed that the Commission has a
large proportion Of lawyers. II WAS the intention
Of the Governor II s stated, to have this Com
mission act in q measure as an arbitration board,
and then TO be well equipped to draw up tho
needed statute. All teachers. superintendent or
principals in schools excluded from the Com
by the Governor. although such appoint
ments were suggested to him. the ground that
they could give their evidence before the Com
mission.
HOPES OF THE GOVERNOR.
II hope" said the Governor after ne had an
nounced the Commission that the members Of
this Commission will be able to bring about uni
acation Of the educational system Of the State
The suggestion to have such Commission APP
pointed came from the University Convocaton
At It's last meeting In the present year committee
OF the convocation. consisting Of Professor H. T.
Warren Of the Albany Academy; President w j.
Milne Of the Albany Normal College; Danforth f.
Ainsworth Charles S Andrews Of Seneca Falls,
and James r Russell dean Of Teachers Col
lege. Of New-York. submitted the following resoiu-
tons which were unanimously adopted
Resolved That this Convocation request the Gov
ernor to name an honorary commission, repre-
the state. which shall consider ways ana means OF
unifyine the present educational system ana CIV
mission may desire In the preparation Of a biI to
be submitted 10 the Legislature al the opening OF
the next session.
Mr.. Hollis stated tonight that tho Committee
Of Education Of the Constitutional Convention OF
1894 submitted report regarding the unihcation
Of the educational system Of the State but that the
Constitutional Convention adopted no plan OF uni
Acation. because It decided that IL would be
better have legislation regarding It by the Leg
slature
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE
In It's report the Committe Education said
Professor Huxleys definition Of a system OF edu-
az requiring an educational ladder with It's foot
In the gutter and its top In the university. every
single step and rung complete and within the reach
OF every climber.
the minds Of the founders Of the University OF the
State Of New-York and It Is FOR this convention 70
determine how FAR that vision shall now be real
ICED. In the present educauonaI system OF the
State there IS break IN the progression; not. in
deed, fatal but serious and unnecessary ana pre-
gence OF the State for It's solution. Upon the abb
cation system Of the State would be advantageous
TO all concerned. your committee is unanimous;
garding the method Of bringing about such re-
suit. and especially upon the fundamental CUES
make this matter the subject OF constitutional
enactment Two methods Of unincation have sug-
Firsj-To make the superintendent Of Public In
struction elective by the Board Of Regents OF ne
a fixed term AS the case might BE-.
second-The creation Of a central authority
ana '5'' the Department 'aI Of Pubic instruction
Third-A method subordlnatng the university 10
seriously considered.
DISCUSSION OF A PLAN.
In discussing any plan Of unihcauon It is I'M
pOrtant to remember that the establishment or
only part Of the end be attained II is Of equal
if not greater importance that every possible effort
o 81 the IS sae aS wSoy from the domain OF party
politics All the critics Of our public school system
agree upon this one point that party politics CON
stitutes the greatest danger to which the system
is exposed. and that little Improvement whether
IN method or results hoped for so long as
Pg3g 5eIyiGg N is consdeTed in the light Of
flq hol IN q
Your committee wishes to put on record an
phailc Endorsement OF this view although II recog-
r.ction nv a constitutional enactment We be-
lcve however that public opinion Is rapidly pc
eliminated from the public service. at least so far
as education is concerned. The principal argument
advanced IN favor OF the first Of the above methods
OF unihcation was that. whereas the Superntend-
end of Public instruction is now elected by tho
Legislature, invariably from partisan consdera-
tions, The Board Of Regents could be tEustea' ~
view Of their unbroken record and TRADITIONS 10
make selection only on the broad ground OF 1 aP-
proved competency and the pubic interest ne
principal objection moreover. TO the creation o. a
pcrntendent. was felt to be the strong Propaon,y
ha such Plan would tend rather 10 ncIea Sen man
educational interests Of the State.
so AGREEMENT REACHED.
After careful examination and full discussion,
and after hearing many able Arguments on , nqtn
sides oi the question your o9i'eT VIZ sor
lnincaton. The various plans presented were
necessarily IN large degree tentative nome Oh
them seemed 10 a majority Of the committee to
he certain Of accomplishing the desired result as
10 Justify It's adoption IN "A form likely 10 remain
unchanged for many years thus preventing a
trial OF other methods and the nnal adoption OF
that which experience might demonstrate 70 be
the wisest and best The University Of the State
being recognized by Section Of our proposed
article and thus being put beyond the reach Of
hasty or ~ advised legislation. the majority Of
your committee feels that all further steps may
he left 20 INC Legislature.
Public opinion may be intrusted 10 enforce the
demand ~ those best qualified 70 judge for any
li az
efficiency 20 all the schools and institutions Of
learning Of the State. and we think that enough
win have been accomplished TO insure further
progress upon correct lines II the section In the
form in which We submit II shall receive the ap-
prevail OF the convention and ultimately Of the
people
GENERAL Z. ?. ALEXANDER RETURNS.
General r.. i. Alexander who appointed by
! l.