The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-03-04
PUBLIC
SCHOOLS
DISCUSSED
President Gleason and r.PhlI-
brick Address Beacon Hill
Improvement Society.

agenent OF the public schools OF this city
was held at Highland chapel, Larch
street, under the auspices Of the Beacon
Hill Improvement society. last evening,
about IS persons, most Of them well
known educators. being present The
meeting was presided over by the presi-
dent Of the association Mr. George Peter
son, councilman from the second ward
and the chief speakers were Mr.. Charles
III. Phllbrick, a member OF the school
committee, and DIR. william F. Gleason,
the president OF the school committee.
Mr.. Philbrick was the first speaker and
he read a carefully prepared paper en-
titled "Our Public Schools"
He said In part: The city of Provi-
dence occupies an cnviable position among
the cities OF the United States In the
excellence Of it's public schools. There
are 100 buildings devoted TO school pur-
poses belonging 10 the city. representing
an assessed valuation with the land on
which they stand OF s2,70o. $500. About
1000 teachers are at present employed and
the enrolment OF pupils Is 26.746.
"The school system directly affects
every parent and especially interests our
tax payers. for over 100000 Is annually
"As large as this amount seems TO be
and though II is nearly 20 per cent OF
the entire tax levy, j believe that our
people want the best In educational fa-
cilities and are willing TO pay for the
best but they demand that their money
shall be expended economically and with
ordinary business sagacity.
"And right here II Is easy TO see how
essential IL is that there should exist the
utmost confidence in those 10 whom is en-
trusted the expenditure OF this large sum
OF money.
THAT this has been sadly lacking In the
past few years is very evident, as we
recall the investigating committee OF
1889. and the continued criticisms OF "A
public nature in regard to the extrava-
gsnce OF schools
"The city council. which furnishes the
funds.-has also repeatedly declared that
the representations made TO them by the
school authorities have more than once
proven TO be incorrect and misleading and
az a result the appropriations asked Of
them are invariably disconnected.
Nothing will more quickly or thorough =
" restore the confidence than larger
knowledge OF the methods Of administra-
tion employed by this committee and II is
with this end in view that propose to
speak tonight OF tho government or man
agement OF our public schools.
Continuing Mr.. Philbrick deprecated
the fact that the constitution and by
laws OF the school committee are calcu-
lated 10 centralize power In sub-commit-
tees and thus to make IL impossible 10 fix
responsibility by destroying the individ-
uality of the member. This the speaker
regarded as an evil OF no small magni-
tude
Continuing he said that there should be
greater confidence in the committee ana
l -. taH In lanL II Of
in the past with the criticism or alleged
extravsgant methods. etc.
The ward system of electing the MEM
hers Mr.. Philbrick believed 10 be wrong
the members should be elected at large
| and should have the interests or the
whole city at heart and not the interest
! OF any particular district or ward There
should also be one woman member at
| least TO every Ave or six men on the
| committee.
! Mr.. Philbrick believed also that the
! president should have the sole appointing
| power nor should be member OF any
| subcommittee, except the executive COM
/ mittee.
! In closing. Mr.. Phibrick spoke in favor
/ OF the act now before the legislature con-
cerning the creation OF school commits
| sion. Mr.. Philbrick's paper was heartily
applauded and we'll received and
| at its close Dr. Gleason was In
! troduced and after speaking In a compli-
mentary manner OF Mr.. Philbricks paper
and his wide experience in school anairs
| he modestly disclaimed any wide knowl-
! edge or experience OF his own.
! II would not presume to outline any
/ poIIcy of my own" he said. II would not
presume to criticise the methods OF
: school management, -de-het feel that
/ am the whole school committee but sim
ply placed in the position Of presiding OF
flcer. by kind Providence. the accident
nj executive officer OF the school com
! mittee. 1 might say.
Continuing the speaker dwelt on the
tendency OF the time toward centraliza
ton and expressed his belief that tho
/ schools of Providence could be better
I controlled by smaller body OF men. II
/ YOU have a commission of five members,
| he said. they will be able to transact
business rapidly. While tho first year vii
be very laborious after they have trans
mitted the worn 10 the superintendent
and others there will be a great improve
ment."
In closing DIR. Gleason paid high trib
ute TO the splendid work which Is beint
done at the Manual Training school Th'
state should take care of the manua
training OF the boys" he said. The stat'
does not do It's duty when IL does no
provide for boys who want an education
OF this kind"
Or Gleason's remarks were greeted
with applause and he was followed b.
Mr. John r. Beagan OF the school com
rni,tee prof Winslow Upton, Prof. J. @
Dealey and Mr. Sidney A. Sherman ell o
whom spoke briefly along the same line'
and all expressing themselves as being II
favor Of a school commission.