New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-05
TIE MINORITY BILL IN
Democrats accuse Education Con-
mission of Partisanship.
tBr TELEGRAPH TO The IRBUNE.I

Albany, Feb. 4.-Appending the unihcatlon
plan devised by Senator Stevens, the Democratic
minority OF the joint legislative commission ap-
pointed 10 consider the question OF educational
unity to-day presented a report dissenting
from the recommendations OF the majority.
This report contains charges OF partisan action
on the part Of the majority OF the commission.
and declares that the plan presented by the Re
publicans carries patent intention of sur
rendering the educational institutions of the
State to politics. The Democrats dissent from
the Republican plan OF reduction of the number
OF Regents urging that this is sure to result
IN the choice OF new members. or rather OF the
eleven survivors. for partisan reasons. They ad-
vocate the choice OF the Commissioner OF Edu-
cation by popular election. IL the majority plan
is to obtain, and declare in championing the
Stevens plan preference for a three headed COM
mission.
The text OF the report was, IN part, follows:
It Is TO be regretted that IT has been deemed
polite by majority OF the joint committee 70
the lines OF public expectation. ana 10 substitute
therefor plaza Of educational Capitalization under
reprehensible partisan control, and thereby subor-
cInste the most sacred political and public interest
ssnship, and. Instead OF providing for a lasting
settlement OF the existing differences. make them
g. redncin me Dress T S H b' ~S S
Board Of Regents in manner which. il constitu-
retention SO far as the majority is Concerned sim
ply OF party subservency. so that the political
programme. already matured, may In its complete
developments meet with effective interference or
opposition from this source That su.h political
programme has been framed was made evident by
The latest amendment incorporated In the ajority
bi which provides that the Commissioner of EdG-
cation may may not be a resident OF the State
Of New-Tork" IN order that some particular indi-
vdual already determined upon may be eligible TO
tiona talent OF this State OF reputation in the eId
OF letters rather than IN the arena Of poltcs con-
tained IN this extraordinary provision forms the
least of many objections. which might be raised
I'VE object to the election OF the commissioner fo-
term o., Of six years by tine members Of the legs
bur one var and All of whom heya he Ttes'ed d9s
years service remaining 10 them under their pres
erlt commissions. That the election OF the head Of
:he Department OF Public Instruction by the mem
hers of the legislature was tolerated b. the
such short duration that HIS Official record could
bt 10 pTovde rs IN ' me peo9e eygTy three years
election by the legislature for a term of six vsars
gents FOR an indefinite period i an ngenGo9s i b5t
none the less vicious method OF deprivng the peo-
Control We Believe ina ihf mater F5s q
powers Of the Com missioner Of Education are 10
as six years; certainly his commission should come
The appeal Of the people that our scbooI s,--,or,
be lifted out of politics has been answered bv at
partisan intrigue and control There rensi1 0l Re1 5y
ever TO TIE people the power TO work their win in
pet It's prompt exercise No more patriotic pur-
the people OF this State "
The report was submitted by Senator. Grady
and Townsend and Assemblymen Palmer ana
McKeown.
There is growing belief that instead Of any
precipitate action. on the educational plan, pre-
sented by the majority, there will be careful
consideration and ample opportunity for an ex-
animation OF the scope and details, and for the
presenting of amendments and suggestions by
those interested in education
Inc hrst hearing VIII take place next wednes-
day Meanwhile 1t is believed that the election