New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-16
AMEND EDUCATIONAL BILL
REGENTS POWER INTACT.
Majority Takes the Uiud Out Of
Sails of 1uinority.
rzr TELEGRAPH TO THE rErBUSE.l

Albany, Feb 15.-COntrary to all expectation
the Lewis Educational bill was not debated IN
the Senate tonight When IL was called I'D IN
the committee OF the whole. Senator Merton
= Lewis presented important amendments en-
tirely changing the character OK the BILL II the
declarations from the floor tonight are &C
ctlrate These amendments were drawn 10 meet
the objections advanced by many Interested III
education-that the effect OF the bin would be
TO deprive the Regents OF ell possible influence
or authority. and leave them @ name and moth
ing more. To meet these objections. the bill has
been amended to limit the powers Of the new
Commissioner Of Education to tax supported
schools and reserve TO the Regents all control OF
higher education. This is the explanation which
IS advanced by those who worked for the
amendment. Assemblyman Wainwright said
last night:
Careful perusal Of the biIl as reported con-
vinces me that powers were taken rom me
Regents which II not the intention or the
committee 70 take Under the amendment the
Regents viii be undisturbed in control OF higher
education and viii have no power taken from
them The provisions Of the amendment accom-
plishing this as follows;
have the power to establish such rules and reg
ulations as are necessary TO carry into erect
the statutes OF the state relating to education,
and. subject to the limitations OF this act shsll
also possess all the powers now exercised by
the present State Board OF Regents. Nothing
In this act shall be construed to affect the pow
ers Of the Board Of Regents in relation TO coll
le-es universities professional and technical
schools. libraries (other than public school IL
braries). museums, universities. extension
courses and similar agencies"
Afr. wainwright declared that he was now
convinced that the Lewis bill thus amended was
impregnable and that It would meet ell objec-
tons.
Another amendment intended TO reach the
constitutional objections raised by Marcus 7.
Hun, in the hearing on the bill last week pro-
vides that only those Regents who are not re-
elected by the legislature on or before APRIL
1904, shall be Iegtslated out Of Office. This does
not IN effect change the plan to reduce the num-
Der Of Regents TO eleven but it is designed tech
nicaIIy. at least 10 meet Mr.. Huns objections
The original bill provided for Iegislating out Of
ONCE all the Regents and then re-electing eleven
The amendment proposes TO legislate out only
those not reelected. In other words. instead OF
legislating out nineteen and re-electing eleven
Regents II only Iegislates out eight. leaving
majority unaffected. thus attempting az least
to avoid Mr. Huns objection that the Regents
have certain constitutional rights and powers.
and that they are a body assured Of existence
by the Constitution. Senator Lewis declared
tonight that he believed this second change
met the constitutional objection. as Mr.. VAIN
wright asserted the Other change did the practi-
cal objections raised by school men Inc oIHeL
changes IN the bill are unimporiant
The introduction OF the amendments By Sena-
tor Lewis was followed by sharp Interchange
OF hostilItles between Senators Raines. Lewis
and Grady Senator Grady had prepared an
Ella borate argument and number OF amend
ments expressing the sentiments OF the minority
He was considerably taken back when ne iouiA
the friends Of the measure amending ta- Oil
lie asked for the postpOnemeut or the oeod's
until tomorrow. to give him a chance 10 Eeaa
the bill After some debate the consent was
reluctantly granted. and the bill VIII De con
sidered IN the committee OF the whole. together
with the amendments, tomorrow morning. .
The opposition 20 the BIN IN us unaWendeo
form has been so strong IN the last lev days.
particularly IN the western part or the state
that those In charge Of the bill have apparently
decided to modify their plan In conformity WIN
the desires OF those interested IN education One
additional circumstance has probably had It's
weight namely, the absolute certainty th2t
he carried 10 the Court o. Appeals % decide the
question OF its constitutionality.