New-York tribune., 1914-11-22

he terms OF nine members OF tht
Board Of Education will expire with
the close of the present year The
names Of the members thus eligible
for retirement are Nicholas J. Barrett,
Ernest F. Eilert, the Rev. James VI.
Farrar. Mrs. Ella ". Kramer, George
G Miller, Mrs. Alice Lee Post, Michael
!. Sullivan, John f. Thompson and
Eserton l. Winthrop, jr. One vacancy.
caused by the death Of James Z. Sui
livsn. IS also 70 be filled.
Nicholas J. Barrett has been a mem
Der OF the Board Of Education for
many years. lie is In the paper busi-
ness at 500 Rroome ST. and his ser
vices have been mainly connected with
che committee on supplies, of which he
was chairman, until comparatively re-
Gently. Mr. Barrett has been a promi-
nent member Of the minority IN the
Board OF Education. and therefore
stands an excellent chance 20 fail Of
resppointment.
Egerton l. Winthrop. jr is an old
member Of the Board Of Education. He
has served as president OF the board
for many years. He is the leader of
the minority" Mr.. Winthrop's long
service and experience in the affairs
Of the Board Of Education would seem
20 entitle him TO recognition and re-
appointment, II he so desires that
honor, st the hands Of Mayor Mitchell.
Mrs. Kramer and Mrs. Post and
Messrs. Eilert, Farrar, George {. Mil
Ter and Michael J. Sullivan are mem
bers who have entered the Board Of
Education during the last year or two.
and who have thus far not had much
opportunity 20 make known their
value to The community. John r.
Thompson has been connected with the
wears He was originally a member Of
the former BTooklyn School Board.
The success Of the Board Of Educa-
ticn in its control and management of
school affairs rests largely upon the
experience and assiduity Of its mem
bers. Continuity IN Office Is closely
correlated with continuity of policies.
While u is not necessary that protes-
sional educators be appointed to serve
members of the Board OF Education.
s Is essential TO the interests Of the
school system that whoever may be
appointed shall he in full sympathy
and touch with the spirit and purpose
% the public schools. II is also eS-
sential that members Of the Board of
Education shall be persons who arc
rot only interested in educational
matters, but who have the time, as
weli as the inclination. 10 serve the
community i'm . public and honorable
capacity.
One Of the most important features
in anv successful Board Of Education
should be absolute freedom from po-
liical control or from any other IN
fuences which may be detected at
times interfering with the wellbeing
of the public schools. Such an ideal
condition is not always brought out
by the appointments OF members OIL
the Board of Education. IL seems al
most like fatality, but, Tor number
Of wears. the public school system has
been mainly controlled from the Olty
Hall This control marked the weak
Iess and decline OF the administration
Of President Winthrop. Then the relns
rassed into the hands OF Presldeht
Cburchil and his band of so-caiied
s.nroorsesives." Al no time in the his
tory Of the public schools nas the weak.
ross Of the Board of Education and
the strength Of the city Hall been so
evidenced a. a. ths present time.
This condition would seem 90 iorecast
o. 70 foreshadow The appointment OF
weak. pliable and cOmplacent persons
whether they be reappOintees or new
members. persons VINO Will guarantee
NO maintain "a City Han policy oIreC'eu
Nbrouch the agency OF fresldehO
CLurcbiU. or who will subscribe to edu-
cefional policies evolved amid the pur-
lions of 59th ST. and Park av.
n is good thing TO have a minority
sN we'll as a majority ~ the boaI9 o.
Education. for without the shghI lIlc
tion which is occasloned oy compel
.ion on the part Of those seehhg u
nerform public service niue progress,
,vould be likely 10 be made by boaiu
of Education at all times unahlnou
upon the various eoucatlonal qGes'oi,S -
,ybicb IL might attempt 10 solve. IT
,.;,,It he rcesrded as automatic that a
,,rsrimous Board Of Education merely
ronregents p flock Of sheep following
but ono leader. irrespective OF whether
he travels along the highways or by
vavs or through the tall grass and the
Tbcro is room for real leadership I'm
contradistirction TO- bOsslsm mn the
Board of Education. Leadership should
involve the management and interest
h of persons Of Intelligence along lines
M of progression. Il is only too true that
81 mere bossism is often mistaken for the
y mower of leadership. II is not Tor the
hest interests of the public school sys-
tenn that persons should be appointed
10 membership IN the Bosrd ~ EduCca-
lion who win c0mplace1tly follow the
will Of the boss in place Of exhibiting
thcir own thought and independence
cf action. Il IS TO be hoped ;hat the
Navcr will make appointments OF per
sons who viii ba lef' free end un-
trammelled by pledges or otherwise to-
conduct the affairs of the public school
system as they deem best for ITS IN
tcrcsts.
Tho position Of member OF the Board
of Education is one OF great honor, and
only such persons should be appointed
thereto as are possessed OF the neces-
,,rv education. Of freedom OF thought
and Of action. and Of such other quail
fcations as are essential 60 the carry
inc out or execution of a great public
function or trust.
II Is a distinct advantage 20 the com
munitv to secure not merely public
spirited citizens for membership IN the
Board of Education, but persons OF