New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-31
THE EDUCATIONAL BILL.
4 Protest against 1t by Academ'c
Principals.
IBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrRuxE.I


IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIRUHE.I
Albany. Jan 30--Unless present plans are modi-
eed the scheme for educational unihcaton re-
ported by the joint legislative committee VIII
be embodied in a bill and introduced in both
branches Of the legislature on Monday night. con-
sidered briefly during the next two days AND passed
before the session adjourns on Friday. There Is
a possibility that It may over until the follow
ing Monday or Tuesday, but this is the extreme
limit now set on the consideration and passage
OF this important bill On the second Wednesday
in February that Is. February 10, the legis-
1ature would. under the present law. elect sue
cessor TO superintendent Skinner in the Depart
rnen CT Public instruction The plan. therefore, is
10 pass the bill before this date.
only the most strenuous opposition. it is said.
-riu cause any departure from this plan. Repub-
Iican leaders in both houses have consulted with
the Governor and agreed on the method of opera
ton. Although questions have been raised and con-
tinue be heard 10 the wisdom of the plan from
an educational point OF view. the party leaders in
their present OF mind apparently have no in
tention Of allowing the matter to be discussed at
any great length in the legislature They regard
the measure as calculated 10 end the present diff
fculties and have freely expressed that opinion.
Senator Merton E. Lewis. chairman OF the joint
legislative commission will present the bill on Mon
day night. As a report of a committee. il will be
passed to third reading. and put on the general
orders and will come up for vote in the course OF
the week unless the present intention OF the legis-
few days
A protest against the new unifcation plan has
been made by the executive committee Of the
Associated Academic Principals OF the State. This
committee has sent the following letter. written
from Elmira. the home Of the president Of the or
ganization Professor Howard Conant. 10 every
academy and high school principal in the State:
n Elmira y; January ay rs, Is 1891!
ciated Academic PRINCIPALS held a meeting IN
Albany January q. At this meeting it
school systems coa!d be secured from the present
legislature it would be better 10 ask for no legisa-
The ne nov proposed would in our 0B59i,on
measures Yet the possibilities Of the bills would be
sR9nshle only 10 a political body; .,s...,o ,,.
DO not favor the plan Simply because 1t unlnes
We desire unihcation that will place our schools
The provision in the proposed bill which gives
the first appointment OF Commissioner of Educa-
ZION 10 the legislature condemns the bill to every
oh Of dHr ehoS '9 aE + hs essature
f69 IS be 81 TGps the a h
will ever make an appointment and the inevitable
same manner the superintendent of Public In
struction is now chosen-by Legislature influenced
AS the time is short in which the legislature IS
and Assemblyman urging them 10 withhold their
approval from any bill now proposed? We trust
Our secondary schools have SO far escaped political
influence; We are sure you desire this condition
maintained.
We desire unihcation under the Regents. but
unification that is based party politics.
Do you the same2
Will you also write TO the chairman OF this COM
nittee advising us concerning your attitude toward
these bills? a speedy reply will be appreciated
HOWARD CONANT
WILLIAM 8. STEELE,
SCHUYLER T. HEBRON,
ERNEST e. SMITH
LAMONT F. HODGE
OI.IN W. WOOD
ANDREW ]. MAC ELROY,
Executive Committee.
An interesting comment the unihcation plan
was made yesterday by c. H. warheld. Superin-
terdent Of Public Schools in Little Falls. Mr. War
field was recently quoted in a pamphlet containing
Endorsements of the Skinner plan saying
I like the general principles of the proposed bill
reorganization of the State educational system
very much indeed
With reference to this quotation Mr.. Warheld
writes:
I made exceptions 70 my approval, the first,
that il seemed 70 very inadvisable TO reduce
the number OF Regrets. except as vacancies oc-
CURED naturally: the second was that was against
any proposition which took from the Board OF
Regents the naming Of the first commissioner.
The letter was written two weeks ago in answer
first outlined: the Davis bill came 10 hand only
yesterday.
Letters from two other principals, who were
quoted in the pamphlet mentioned above as favor
ing the Skinner pian have been received in this
city. from Clinton S. Marsh. of Auburn. and H. H.
Smell, Of Hoosick Falls Both concur with Mr.. War
field in a protest against the choice Of the first
commissioner by the legislature.