New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-19
DR.. MAXWELL AND HIS CRITICS

We are not sure that it was worth while for
superintendent Maxwell to notice the black
guardism Of even college professor who used
the privileges of the Assembly floor to misrep-
resent him and Join in the political warfare on
the present management of the public schools
1t must be said, however, that he administered
his rebuke to the defamer most effectively. and
II ought to teach lesson to a young man who
from his associations If from nothing else.
should know better. DR.. Maxwell is used TO
hard hitting. He gives blows as we'll as takes
them. He is one of the most uncompromising
and tactless of men. Many OF the difficulties
which he and the improved school system for
which he stands have to encounter are due to
that temperament, But DR.. Maxwell is an hon
est man, an efficient executive, and his hardest
battles are fought in the defence of education
against the assaults of those who, perhaps I'M
knowingly, would lower the standard of teach
ing and on one plea or another, give our chill
dren something less good than what DR.. Max
well insists should be theirs DR. Maxwell has
made many enemies by demanding the exam
ination of Normal College graduates. That was
evidently impOlitic, but, if he found that the
work Of that institution was not well done and
mat Its certificate was not an adequate guaran-
Tee or htness for teaching it is impossible not
to honor him for this firm adherence to the stand
ard set, not for his comfort but for the ben
eft of the schools in spite OF all the clamor Of
the aspirants for place on easy terms, Of their
sympathetic friends, Of the institution whose
work was thus criticised and the miscellaneous
enemies ready to seize any stick with which
to beat him. He may have been wrong but it
is good to see man in q position of public trust
who can be unbendngly true to his sense OF the
obhgatlons or that trust. The temptation to be
good natured and avoid trouble is overwhelm-
lngly strong for most officials
The bill out Of which DR. MaxwelPs latest
controversy has grown seems to be an entire
iy proper one. Formerly a tax Of four mills
was imposed for the benefit of the schools.
With the raising of assessed more nearly to
actual valuations and the rapid growth OF
wealth, it was found that this rate produced
more money than was needed. So by common
consent the rate was reduced to three mills
Experience shows that this reduction was
little too sweeping and does not meet the needs
of our school population. which is increa sing
enormously each year. So it is proposed to es-
tablish the golden mean of three and half
mills. That is certainly not an excessive pro
portion of the revenue to devote to the most
important work of civilization, the training OF
children. 1t is less than we formerly devoted
10 that purpose without a murmur and we
changed only because the school authorities
honestly told us that under changed conditions
they probably would not need so much
This bill has offered convenient opportunity
| for Tammany to vent its hatred OF the imnroved
school system, which Tammany members OF
the Board of Education are doing their best 10
| break down. The legislative method of carry
/ ing on this propaganda is an interesting illus
| tratiOn Of the temper Of politicians. Members
| Of the legislature often grow eloquent about the
| license Of the press and complain of the abuse
heaped upon them by writers who mIsa ppre-
| bend their motives or do not take the trouble
| to get their facts straight Yet the legislator