New-York tribune., 1903-04-24
TO STUDY STATE SCHOOLS.
FOR THEIR IMPROVEMENT.
Commission 4uthorised-Money for
Tuition Fees.
TBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.


Albany April 23-Ciovernor OdelI a few days
ago sent a message to the legislature In Which
he expressed regret over the strife OF the pres
ent year over the bills to unity the schooi ssS-
TENS of the State, and suggested that JOINT
committee be appointed by the legislature TO
learn if the school systems could not be I'M
proved.
In view of this recommendation Senator Lewis
introduced the following resolution, which was
passed by both the Senate and the Assembly
to-day:
Resolved II the Assembly concur that the Lieu
tenant Governor be and he hereby is authorized to
appoint five members Of the Senate ana the speaker G
appoint seven members OF the Assembly, who small
iature with fun power and authority to inquire
into the educational interests Of the state OF New
York. and for that purpose said committee is en.
powered mold sessions after the adjouTnme9tm en- m or
this ana and nay & Ss and papers issue
subpoenas and compel the production before It OF
eg ebgrsSfeT sS8Ks desPed esPeds bg SF it,
Resolved That such committee make a report ,eb 70
the legislature on before February l. 1Dt, ana
in such report shall recommend such legislatioa3
the educational interests of the State.
A compromise bill for the distribution Of
tuition money for nonresident pupils was also
passed by the legislature to-day after an erner-
gency message from Governor Odell had been
read The bill is in lire with Governor Odells
recommendations. and provides that S1O00OO
shall be appropriated for tuition fees Of non
resident high school pupils. and that the funds
shall be distributed by the Controller on a
certificate Jointly signed by Charles r. Skinner.
Superintendent of Public Instruction, and the
chancellor Of the university. the Right Rev.
William CrOsweu Doane.
Senator Grady. when the bill was announced
from the Assembly, said:
l am not going to refer to the differences which
have grown up among our educational nstltuuonris ni
which some believe have grown up through me
aggressiveness the Superintendent of Public In
sfruction. and were of a political character
than otherwise others who have held the he
gents responsible. You confess by this bill that
you are unable cope with the difficulties OF the
two educational systems of the State So 1t is pro-
posed to have a special committee appointed 10
deal with this matter
This bill for the time gives the Superintend-
secondary schools / don't hesitate say that the
motive is political that it is to bolster up that arm
of the educational service which has been more
active in the field of politics than in the field of
education The Governor at the university convoca-
tion proposed that the Regents should distribute
this money the nonresident pupils Then came
the This is a mean and contemplate make
shift 1t will be resented by every educational in
terest interested in the secondary schools.
Senator E. r Brown said in reply:
The subject Of education should not be considered
with passion. For about sixteen wears Mr. Skinner
has been the Superintendent of Public Instruction.
The charge that he has used the department IN
political way is utterly without foundation. The
superintendent also for years has had wide juris-
diction over the secondary schools. We intend to
give aid to the nonresident pupils