New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-08
DRAPER OUTLINES PLAN.
MEETS WITH REGENTS.
To Hare Three assistant Comnis-
siOners-Other Details.

the uniication and organization Of the State
educational departments was submitted by him
to-day to the Regents Of the University at their
first meeting under the unification law. and
unanimously approved.
The plan proposes the classification Of the
educational system in three divisions. higher.
secondary and elementary, each Of which shall
be under the direction respectively of first, sec
ond and third assistant commissioners. each Of
whom within his scope ard under the direction
of the Commissioner shall exercise the functions
of Commissioner; their rank to be equal and
their salaries 5000 each.
The first assistant will have oversight OF
all universities colleges. professional and tech
meal schools; OF the execution Of the laws con-
corning the professions, and size Of the State
Library and its allied interests of the State
Museum. and Of all scientific work carried
directly by the State. The second assistant
commissioner will have oversight Of all off,
Gals and academies and Of the training OF
teachers therefor. The third assistant commits
sioner Will have oversight of all elementary
schools and Of the training of teachers therefor.
The Commissioner himself is to be provided
with a secretary. stenogTapher and messen-
ger. to be appointed by him; each OF the assist
ant commissioners with a stenographer. a clerk
and a messenger.
Sub-departments to be called divisions, are 70
be created as follows: Law, examinations in
spections, accounts, printing and publications,
statistics and appointments. normal schools,
training classes and Institutes, libraries. and
scientific work and museums. with a director
OF each to be nominated by the Commissioner
with the approval Of the Regents.
All work in the offices Of the Regents OF the
University and in the former department of
public instruction falling within any OF
OF doubt the Commissioner is to settle it.
BOND TO BE APPROVED BY CONTROLLER.
The execution of the compulsory attendance
laws will be in the division Of Inspections. The
chief Of the division of accounts is to have the
title Of cashier" and, in addition to keeping
all financial accounts. will be charged with the
management Of the business affairs Of the de-
partment- He must give a bond. 70 be approved
by the Controller.
Commissioner Draper recommended, and the
board decided
That appointments under this pIan excepting
the assistant commissioners and the secretary
Of the Commissioner be made from the officials
and employees heretofore IN the Office Of the Re
gents Of the University and in the Department Of
Public instruction. so far as may seem practt-
cable TO the Commissioner, and also that the
term Of the deputies OF the Superintendent Of
Public instruction snail end when the assistant
commissioners are appointed and that the en-
plovment OF all persons now in the Regents Office
and IN the Department of Public Instruction.
who not reappOinted under this plan Of
organization by the LIST day Of June. 1904. shall
terminate on that day. Within this general or
genization and important part Of IL the
board will exercise the corporate powers OF the
Regents OF the University OF the State Of New
York
It should be definitely understood that beyond
the recognition Of specially faithful and ex-
ceptionally capable services in the two depart
ments, the initiative as 70 continuances or ap-
pointments in the several divisions shall remain
with the directors thereof. where the statute
and good policy place it, and that this shall be
accompanied with responsibility for a staff IN
each division which, with proper economy, shall
reach the highest measure Of efficiency.
ADDRESS By DR. DRAPER
In the course Of an extended address to the
Regents DR.. Draper said:
ucation to administer all Of the educational Work
OF Ine 0taIS - ~ NIT sSsi1y csuss some a6rre7
hension among the people OF the schools oHt X
ates exclusively to the personnel OF supervisory OF
cers, TO methods Of administration. and 70 future
policies. and cannot hdrasS any teacher 20 DFeaA
into the routine Of any school
The popular movement resulting in the recent
statute under which We act was started by tne
conflicting duties OF officers, but it was unQuestOn-
work Of the two departments had become cum
brous and was hardening routine rather than in
ward the movement gained in its intent and en-
mistakably. greater unity and simplicity in the in
terest OF efficiency and quite Enthusiastically II
demanded that the educational system should be
wholly freed from the need or temptation OF
knuckIing 10 any menacing power or Of being
swayed by any influence short OF the common IN
teIlectual advantage OF every resident OF the State
This creates a great educational opportunity
save few dollars and stop the agents OF sepa-
rate II not rival. departments from tranplins upon
another. We may well suppose that we are
expected develop a system OF educational ad-
mnistration which SHAH bring the higher institu-
tons. as represented in the university into more
mutually helpful association with the common
schools give 10 all of the uplifting aid OF
our great library system, ana or al other educa-
tive instrume ntatIes OF the State
should be rigidly divided along the line which
severe construction OF the recent statute would
We shall invite failure X we confuse legislative
and executive functions. The people Of democ-
than one person executive functions cannot be ex-
ercised effectuaIIy by board. l shall hope that
pendence in planning and organizing and in the ex-
ecutive administration Of the department You
pontIuents without reference to the Comm ssioner
but il you were to insist upon doing 50 IL would
metricaI and harmonious organization and defeat
the end OF the statute decreeing educational unity
DUTIES OF BOARD AND COMMISSION.
On the other hand II would seem that you may
well exercise legislative functions upon all ques-
tions OF policy bearing upon the elementary and
secondary schools, well as upon the higher in
stitutions and interests which have BEEN and under
While the law does not declare this ii does not
forbid my seeking your advice upon sIl questions
of policy. and it shall be pleasure to do 1t
seems 10 that the only sound and logical course
the only course which promises agreeable rela-
lions and desirable results-hes In the legislature
by the board OF full directory and IN the legislature
by the Commissioner Of free organizing and ad-
OF the State. If the law does not arrange II
clearly we may easily have it so by entering into
sympathy with each other. Possibly some ex-
perienee. in efforts to find the best ways. viii
tribute to the stability of the law and prove salts
factory to all