New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-08-14
Hsdley Condemns Paid Board.

ELN-4lelL ttdl-et $ letter LOLuNr.
have read with interest a summary OF
lie provisions OF the educational chapter
Of the proposed charter for New York City
now before the Legislature. They seem 10
me open 10 objection I'm several particulars.
First doubt the wisdom OF having a
paid Board Of Education Of the kind suS-
ge-ted
A Board OF Education is essentially a de-
Lucrative body. 10 does a work which re
gIIIeS part of the time Of the very best
m.n 100 the community, not the whole time
ot special sa.aTed experts. ! believe That
t.D salaries Of members other than the
president viii be- worse than wasted, be-
cause they viii make membership on the
Board OF Education prize sought by sec
o.t-r1fe men VINO are only TOO GIau 10 De
Paid for talking rather than public duty
% Doe made attractive TO first rate men.
Seeoud-lt seems TO me very doubtful
whether the board could secure proper
superintendent II 10 curtails his powers in
Tie manner suggested, and IL is still more
doubtful whether any superintendent,
strong or weak could administer MS school
system efficiently on these terms.
Mr GarfeId's main objection 10 the edu-
cauo1al chapter lay In us provision for the
appointment Of teachers by the board. The
slrer.utendents. ne said. being educational
experts. should have the choosing Of the
teachers. and their choice should be as free
as possible from political influence. This
is h's letter.
aav. been asked 20 express 20 YOU my
opinion of tine educational chapter or the
proposed charter for New York City. ana
w.lnGIr comply with the request.
As understand IT, the trainers OF TINS
portion NJ the charter propose, among
other things. 90 paw substantial salaries 10
t"e members of the new Board Of Educa-
ton. o. give to the board the power Of an
UH.rrmenf of teachers and 70 place Scnool
finances under the absolute control Of the
MaI ana the Board Of Estimate and Ap-
The payment Of salaries is unnecessary;
Experience las shown that the best ana
ao.esf citizens viii serve on Scnool hodrds
without compensation. provided the schools
are kent out of politics otherwise Such
Tar win NOT serve a. any price
|ra appointment O' teachers by tho board
without regard n nomination by the SUPER
trteufr~t i- wholly wrong In principle. The
0af1 .H- to go with schools 3s orSani "a
'o-, tra teacher with tine training Of the
Individual Teaching is a profession ana
S1nrr.rfanlcufs are educational experts
Tie. -hu-lf ro primarily responsible for
Tho selection ~ the teaching force whether
or NOV tho member NJ the hoard receive
"7ree and their action In This most IN
ro-tlrt particular should he as Tree as
possible from political considerations.
Reua-btrr that tho new Pennsylvania
LEGISLATION separated the public schools "
phi darHia and Pittsburg from all forms
NJ political control MI Schaeffer held with
President Hadlcv that proper power should
10 vested .n tho superintendent He should
10 allowed. h.s letter said. 70 assign assist
ant supe-ntendents 10 their duties. 20
speak before the board on all subjects con-
nected with The schools and 20 prescribe
The forms Of reports TO be made IN the
schoos Above an. he should have voice
IN granting licenses % teachers and IN pre-
Barring eligible lists for appointments.