New-York tribune., 1903-07-10
MIR. SKINNER AND POLITICS IN THE


This argument from THE Brooklyn Times is
plausible and the question with which 1t con-
cludeS deserves an answer. Referring to the
resolution recently passed by the Teachers Con-
vocation at Albany, it says:
This resolution declaring that party politics
should have no influence over the schools is
about as effective pronunciamento as would
be a resolution declaring that white paint is
white in color or that black paint Is black in
color. One would as expect to find teach
ers asking for the introduction OF party politics
into schools one would be apt to find Uni
versalists asking Catholic priests to preach for
them
But, in addition to denouncing party inau>
ence this resolution goes further. 1t asks for
State unifcation that party influence shall
be eliminated 1t does not, however describe
that unifcation in any manner. Presumably
he who wrote it meant unihcat'on under the
Regents. but he did not say so in words Why
should not the resolution as readily mean uni
fcation under the State Superintendent? Has
party politics any more control over the Super
intendent than it has over the Regents?
We have spoken of this argument as plau-
sble. We are glad to accept it also as candid,
and therefore we have a right to appeal to our
friends across the river for aid in securing an
answer to their own question, whether party
politics has any more control over the Superin-
tendent than it has over the Regents.
We have never known or heard of any official
act by the Regents at any time in their history
trolled by political considerations; and, above
all, have never heard OF any effort by the
Regents to use their official position to favor
one party at the expense of another, to control
conventions or to raise campaign contributions
from their subordinateS If 1.-The Brooklyn
Times" has ever heard of such a thing, we hope
1t will specify the case and produce particu-
lars and proof, and we will pledge ourselves to
aid in holding the guilty Regent up to contempt
and destroying any further influence he might
have for harm.
Now, will not 1.-THE Times" endeavor to IN
duce Superintendent Skinner to disprove the
charge under which he has remained silent and
supine for months, that party politics has had
much more control than this over him? In par
ticular will not "The Times" induce Superin-
tendent Skinner to vindicate his name and his
department from the monstrous accusation
brought against him by Mr. c. W. Bardeen, of
Syracuse, publisher of 1.-THE School Bulletin?
Will Mr.. Skinner demonstrate the falsty of Mr..
Bardeen's statement that three years ago it
was suggested to the Normal principals of the
Estate that it would be nice thing for them
ITO contribute $3.50 each to Mr. SINNERS cam
"paign expenses"-the Superintendent being
then a candidate for reelection? Will he take
up and disprove the positive and even more
definite assertion that he thus received from his
subordinates some $4,000 of the $1,000 which, as
a public officer with a salary of $1,000, he con-
tributed in his own name to the Republican
campaign fund in furtherance of his eager am
btion to secure another term?
'The Times" seems TO agree with the Teach
ers' Convocation in the belief that party inf1u-
ence should be eliminated from the manage
ment Of the school system. It must agree with
us then in the belief that the charge brought
by Mr.. Bardeen against the Superintendent, and
supplemented by current reports from other
sources, implies a situation intoIerably scan
dalOus. 1t cannot think it otherwise than
shameful that a superintendent Of education
should coerce or even ask his subordinates to
defray his campaign expenses. Will 1t not in
duce Superintendent Skinner to clear himself
of the unworthy conduct so specifically and re-
sponsibly charged?