The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1908-01-02
GUILD AT HEAD
OF SCHOOL
BOARD
Message FrOm Mayor Leads
to Several Decisions
Of Importance.

-N~ - tAC H0N 1O0Aa u
at the first meeting of the new APP
pointive body yesterday. George w.
Tomkins became viee-president. A
message was sent to the board by
Mayor Halsssling, an unusual incident.
Its recommendations led to several im-
portapt decisions in matters of policy.
At d meeting Of the old school board,
Just before ITS life expired with the
year, it was decided to 10 further ques-
ton the right of the new a%ppointive
hoard to take office. Judge ~Swayze's
decision in the application for a writ
of certiorari brought by several of the
members put an end to court proceed
ings of that kind and. none other is eX-
pected-
In his message to the board Mayor
Haussling discussed the faults of the
old system and the duties of the new
commissioners.
The Mayors message, to the reading
of which close attention was given
by the commissioners and attendants at
the meeting. was as follows:
Dear Sirs-It is not the custom for the
Mayor Of this city to address a message
directly TO the Board of Education. The
circumstances COQueCIeu Win your as
sumption of office are, however, so excep-
fiona, that ] feel warranted in breaking
the time-horored rule on this occasion.
The voters of this city at the last general
election adopted the provisions of the
general school law. which provided for the
appointment of the Board OF Education by
the Mayor instead OF the election Of com
missioners. two from each ward. as had
heretofore been the custom. 1 am per-
suaded that in making this radical change
the citizens were convinced that the Sc
lection OF members Of the school board by
a district system and by partisan measures
had worked az failure. and that tho new
plan would to a large extent remove from
the educational department the evils from
which It had suffered. In this view I
coincide.
Z "Your position Is unique in the history
of the city. In your selection there was
not the slightest. attention paid to your
partisan political affiliations; only the
renlotest consideration was given to the
localities from which you came. The con-
s~iderations which governed the executive
in your selection were your Integrity, capa-
bility and interest in the public schools
OF the city. coupled with the experience in
business or tho professions which were
deemed likely to render you peculiarly
qualified to administer Newark's educa-
iional affairs. No other problem connected
with the city government gave me so
snuch thought or anxious study as the
selection OF this board; no other net of my
administratio has been so universally
commended by those whom I believe to
be absolutely without interest except the
welfare Of the city. I feel honored that
gentlemen such as you should have ac-
cepted this appointment ut my hands. 1
believe that the whole community has
indcrsed your appointment. Feeling there
fore nc 7 6o aS In fl1a Situation If would
be superfiuous In me to address to you
n communication bearing upon all the
problems which l anticipate you will have
TO solve. ! have every faith that YOU will
solve these problems to the best interests
OF the educational system and Of the city.
but J would feel somewhat remiss II did
not call to your attention certain general
propositions with respect to the duties
upon which you are about to enter.
1.-THE Board of Education In the past has
occupied a peculiar position in the city
governmental structure. 1t is n corporation
complete In itself. Except hat in the
Board OF Estimate 1t cooperates to a linn
tied extent with other departments, 1t has
practically no connection with the rest
OF the city government. The budgets OF
the Board of Education. whether from the
fact that that body has been out of touch
with those who have the matter OF guard
! jug the finances directly in charge or from
Any other cause. have not infrequeutly re-
eiNted in considerable embarrassment to
those officials upon whom falls the respon-
kihility of levying the taxes. j would
suggest, and suggest earnestly. that In
making up your budgets. you invite the
counsel Of the financial officers of the city.
sThe Board of Education in the past has
Upon occasions violated IN spirit, If not in
letter, the law which places a limit of $500
on work to be done or supplies to be Sc
.....I fflxl ndxrnrffennannt pNnNnt in
cases Of extreme emergency. I believe that
II will be only necessary to call your at
fentfon to this matter TO have you resolve
that YOU will never furnish an excuse for
criticism on such a ground.
II have found 1t to be the custom for a
a number Of bodies in the city government to
hold secret sessions. either as committees
or otherwise. j cannot too strongly con-
denim this practise, in order earnestly to
recommend you to avoid it. The people
hayc a right to demand that their repre-
sentatives shall transact public business
with the greatest measure of publicity.
While this rule applies to all public bodies,
Its observance. as take IL, is especially
Incumbent upon a board such as yours,
that is not directly chosen by the people.
I fervently hope that your honorable body
will never attempt the transaction of busi-
ness by committees or otherwise except 10
public
1T has occurred to me that your honor
able body might enter into some sort of
cooperation with the Playground Commits
sion of this city to mutual advantage OF
the two boards, and to the decided advan-
tage of the municipality as a whole. 1t
has been difficult to find the money which
would enable the Playground Commission
10 purchase land in fee for the purpose Of
establishing recreation places for the chill
lren. Indeed. the only ground now oc-
eupied by the board is held under a lease.
believe it might be possible for your
board in the purchase Of school sites to
acquire on occasions a little more land
Than perhaps is strictly needed for school
purposes. The excess thus acquired
night, it seems to me, be turned over for
reasonable periods TO the Playground Com
mission, who could equip it properly and
AFFORD facilities for the use of gymnastics
md other appliances. not only to the chill
lre1 resident In the neighborhood, but also
10 the pupils of the school. The land in
rolved would probably cost but little more.