Evening journal., 1917-03-23
DEMOCRATSl In SENATE DEFEAT
SCHOOL BOARD REORGANIZATION;
ONLY one OF THEM SUPPORTS IT

Board OF Education, on motion OF
Senator Gormley. was allowed the
privilege OF the floor and opposed the
bill. He claimed the Wilmington
school system is not defective and
stands as high as most any schools
in the country.
DR.. Cooper read a letter from Sup
erintendent c. J. Scoto, in which the
latter said the present board has al
ways carried out his recommends
tions. He also praised the work OF the
schools.
Dr. Cooper also read a letter from
/ Miss Devine, assistant superintendent,
in which Miss Devine also praised the
elementary work in the Wilmington
schools.
Several other letters from princl-
pals and supervisors Of the schools
were read by DR.. Cooper, in which the
work of the schools under the pres
ent Board of Education was praised.
In conclusion DR.. Cooper urged the
Senators to pause before passing a
bill that will change q system which
he said is the equal OF any city IN
the country. He denied that the large
ton want the proposed change.
Samuel H. Baynard. president OF
the Board Of Education, made a
strong speech against the bill. He
claimed that even should this bill
pass it would not give any relief ia
the congested conditions OF the VIII
mlngton schools for two years. He
criticized the proposed changes in
the board, making It only a five men,
Der board. He thought the present
system OF electing members by wards
was far superior 70 the proposed
changes.
/ Others Advocate Measure.
DR.. Victor washburn. chairman OF
, the finance committee Of the board
made a plea for the bill. -contendine
that there is room for many changes
He said the Wilmington schools are
not among the best. He told Of some
improvements that have been made
in the conducting Of the financial az
fairs of the board since be became
/. a member. including the installing Of
the budget system. He attacked the
present system and claimed it has
Z been shown TO be inefficient.
Charlea Warner also spoke for tbs
bill and claimed that the present sys
TEN has not the confidence OF tht
people of Wilmington. The small
board system, he said, has been sue
cess wherever tried.
II was at the conclusion Of his re
marks that Mr.. Warner made thu
statement which brought forth the re
I ply from Senator Gormley.
I. II. r. Isaacs. in advocating the bill
said:
"A hearing was given the Whining
D ton c items Committee on Edu,atiol
= by the General Assembly on Friday
J March g. In the limited time Above
Z for such a far-reaching subject affect
e ing 1900 school children, the mos
Z vital facts regarding these school
were presented by representatives {
J. the Citizens Committee: by Presider
o Megear, of the Chamber OF Commerce
It by President Hickey of the Centr'
n Labor Union, by President Elliott (
n the Y. NJ. c. A. and others.
The following facts have oeon di
Ie proved by anyone:
70 First. That under Wilmington
e. form OF school administration u
Il school board, which consists Of thi
II teen members. each selected froi
ie small sections of the city wards
1r except the president. divides itself u
lie into npmerous small committee
> which spend such time as the men
n bers have to spare from their bus
ness. in handling details.
Second. That such form OF admir-
d istrat'on is sluggish in its action col
s. fusing ard ineffective in its result
"a and so separates the members OF u
IS board. and involves them in detail
n to such an extent. that they are ma
r urally handicapped. and do not nj
< dertake study OF the large and col
m structive problems affecting a mo-
re ern school system. from the point
u view OF the citys interest as a Who'll
Id Third. That over sc per cent.
all the cities of 100 600 populate
ne and over in the United States ha'
ed abandoned this form OF election al
NJ administration. having proved its i
n adequacy and in lieu thereof ha'
H. adopted the modern business ma
e