Year: 1868

The concluding meeting of the committee
appointed by the Board of Education TO investigate the
condition Of the public schools in this city took place last
evening. For than five hours the committee listened
to the complaints, explanations, and speeches that
were made. Every seat occupied, and the door
ways and obbies packed with ladies' and they
stood for hours listening TO the proceedings Merrill,
Dupignac, Hall, Wilson, West Warren, Oar
yea, and Ewing, were among the committee.


superintendent Harrison spoke at great length. He
said that the complaints so far as he could learn lacked
proof In reply to the sweeping cligSS t aeo DX certain
but suspected that such bitter and pointed personal
illusions would have been made. Whether the teachers
satisfied not he certain that for every
who wished TO leave there were twenty-five ready
subject but little comment
said he but what the pIs schools were Grove ded more
than they -Sd Oe. lie called particular attention to


s1aly successful transferred to higher positions
| and in many instances their places are
iiltSo iho pupils ''tS taught in thls city leayo
school without entering the Grammar departments. Tho
than formerly The quality of education OF much
importance than the quantity as the early eduea-
ton which q child gets has much tO do with forming his
character for lfe. Really better teacher should be
else, Tor there the most skin and good Judgment is
ran,,, TIC custom u. when teacher n0sns 70 snow
his ability he Is at once removed TO higher department
SUPERINTENDENT Jones said that beyond all dispute there
too much crowdng III the lower SCHOOLS ic did not
think proper for us to boast OF our large attendance
when Is only done at the expense OF the pupils ana
teachers health. One reason why the crowd is
so great Is because the number Of teach
ers employed is in proportion TO the number
Of pupils in attendance; therefore, in order
date the teachers who apply these corresponding mum
her of children must be received The custom Of allow
ing the younger children TO take home the books with
them should not be tolerated. but uniform system OF
rules should prevail in all the departments. Superin-
teDdent Miller here exhibited roll OF paper several
inches In circumference He said that he had speech
OF nearly pagee written for the occasion, but the
time had been consumed he would have printed IN the
annual report for the benefit OF the ladies' Laughter


Mr. Henry Kttle said that at this stage OF the proceed
ings he wanted TO be understood that III MS previous
remarks he intended nothing derOgatoy TO the character
Of the assistants Principal Scott said that u was rather
corrected long ago. Mr. Kite replied warmly that he
would not listen to the proceedings If they were to
degenerate into personalities MI. Scott then
and gave history Of the origin Of the in
vestigation. He said that the teachers were
in no way responsible for the action the Board had taken
and until they called they had idea that any diff
fcuty was apprehended But because they have


charge should be made that the ne tesSheTs have done
their best 10 degrade the public schools OF New York. and
he further thought that after the remarks OF the
superntendents the teachers had right 10 speak Tor
themselves The speaker then read statement signed
rules of the Board Much said about the marking
system. Some said that it did not do justice TO the
teacher Others declared that the present sys-
ten of marking by numerals gives good salts
faction; The majority agreed with the latter
ThOs Hunter part Of the Assistants said that he to-
tally denied the charge that the teachers intended making
an attack the school system good deal OF rhetoric
was INDUCED in from time TO time and up TO the last mo-
ment the teachers though earewOrn, preserved .her
good nature, but seemed determined 10 prove
the charges made against them as false. Miss simms
which made their marks. Miss Leverage then took the
floor and held the audience for half an hour during
be done them Her CLAIMS were listened to with marked
attention aud warmly appauded.


At the close OF the meeting the Chairman said that the
100000 children OF NewYOrk demanded their best efforts,
and he did but that both tho teachers and prnc


great applause the meeting adjourned and the teachers
marched out triumphant