New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-02-20
SUPERINTENDENT SKNNER'S MISTAKES.

Since Mr.. Ainsworth, Deputy Superintendent
of Public Instruction made his abusive attack on
Bishop Doane at the recent hearing on d public
school measure with indications Of desire to
carry his violent words into violent action, the
opinion has been widely expressed that Super
intendent Skinner ought to accept the reSISna-
ton which his deputy said had always been IN
his hands But instead of taking that measure
TO rebuke his vulgar and mischiev0us subordl-
nate, Mr. Skinner has been foolish as to come
forward in his defence. II stand by Mr.. Aims
worth and what he said at the meeting" declares
Mr.. Skinner, land 1 won't ask for his resigna-
ton to oblige Democratic newspapers" There
you have the politician speaking in his natural
voice He is himself accustomed TO look at
his office and his duties from the political point
of view that he at once and inevitably attrib-
utes to political prejudice the grave condemna-
ton which Mr. Answorths unmannerly out
break has elected from newspapers and indi-
viduaIs without regard to party. 1t Is q strik
ing confirmation of the truth that the schools
have been dragged into politics, and strongly
sustains the general demand that such
remedy as the Regents have suggested should
be applied.
Mr. Skinner is not more judicious when he
goes on to assert his devotion to the high
schools, to which he wants to gain the power.
by process Of usurpation, of distributing the
proposed appropriation for the tuition of non
resident pupils. In support of his professions
of sOlicitude he quotes from his report for 1899,
but that document is less pertinent than his re
port for 1908, in which he pretty clearly indi-
Gates a return to the attitude of hostility to the
high schools adopted by his predecessors. At
least, if that Is not his present mood it is diff
cult to explain his declaration that the State
has for many years singled out the few schools
maintaining an academic department and made
special provision for them, and that "by far
THE most important of the State public school
work has been Disseminated against in this
manner Nor is his disdainfu allusion to
mock high schools susceptible of an interpre-
tation favorable to institutions which, as The
Madison County Times" recently said, stand
las the pride of scores of modest villages
throughout the State
Recurring to Mr. SINNERS defence of his
deputy, we are panied to see that he descends
perilously near to the Afnsworth level in say
ing: There will be another hearing on the
Merritt bill in two weeks. and I suppose the
Regents will rake the State with fine tooth
comb in order TO scrape UP a crowd" The in
SEPARATION of that remark which seems to show
some fear of results, is also political, and illus
trates again the fundamental point at issue.
we are seeking quarrel with Mr. Skinner.
He owes his office TO the political system
which has been permitted to involve the schools
and he doubtless thinks that he must employ
political methods 10 retain il. our quarrel is
not with him. but with the evil policy which
for the time he represents. We want 10 see
the schools taken wholly and forever out of
politics. and VIC believe the Regents have pro
posed the one practicable way of accomplishing
that invaluable object in their address to the
Governor, the Legislature and the people of New
York For that and no other reason we hope
their advice will be adopted.