Year: 1875

On Thursday, the 4th Of November next,
the State Board of Education will convene IN
special session to take into consideration the
grave charges preferred by the committee ap-
pointed by the citizens in mass meeting assem-
bled, against the members of the City School
Board It is the first time since the creation
of the schools that any Board of'Directors has
been 80 fiagrantly and notoriously derelict of
its plain duties as to bring down upon it the
censures and stinging denunciation Of all
classes of people. 1t is the first time in the
history of this State-and for the credit Of
humanity and society, We trust OF any State
that the public schools have been abandoned
to band of reckless and, for the most part,
unprincipled and incompetent demagogues
whose main ideas have been the advancement
of their favorites to places OF profit Ut
terly regardless of fitness, and careless OF
the effect upon the schools under the baleful
influence of this board, which has boldly de-
fed the sentiment of the community, ana out
ragged the feelings of every man who has at
heart the good of the schools, and the ad-
vancement of education. The public schools
of this great city have become by-word OF
reproach, shame, the mere mention OF which
is sufficient to make the most peaceful and
conservative citizen feel that there are some
things too shockingly disgraceful to be borne
with patiently.


The people of New Orleans have borne with
this great and aggravating wrong much longer
than any other community in this or any
other country would have borne with it they
have not been insensible to the Outrage, they
have simply exercised, as no other people
would have done, an heroic patience and for
bearance, in the hope that the enormity OF
the thing would cause the very powers that
created it to crush it.


They have however arrived, or nearly 80, at
that point, made famous by a proverb where
forbearance ceases to be virtue, and where
action is absolutely demanded if they would
not be held responsible for the annihilation OF
that school system which was planned with SO
much pains and wisdom, and which it was
ever the pride of our citizens to foster and
support, so long as the care Of the schools was
delegated to gentlemen Of pure morals and OF
proved ability and culture.


Gov. Kellogg was absent during the recent
public demonstration against the present
Board of City School Directors, but was no
doubt kept fully posted as to what trauspired,
and musS since his return, have discovered
that there is determination on the part OF
the people, who pay the taxes to support the
schools, to cause reorganization OF the board
upon a basis that will diyest it of its grossly
partisan character and give it at least the
respect of the community.


The directors have shown disposition to
treat with scorn the protest of justly in
dignant populace, and the Acting Governor
has not exercised his influence to compel o
decent regard of the rights of the people in
yery forceful manner. We do not know what
stand Gov. Kellogg may take in this matter,
which, we assure him, is much more serious
than number of his partisan adherents
would have him believe, but venture to sug-
gest that the resignation Of the entire board
would not only be an evidence of disposi-
ton to subserve the public peace, but also an
unloading, SO far as bis party is concerned,
which would prove an immense relief in the
coming campaign. No party can afford to
carry SO heavy burden as this board, which
has publicly disgraced itself and the schools,
which in an evil time were placed under its
control.


The stigma which attaches to it will attach
to everything connected with it, and to Its
successor will be left task scarcely less In
magnitude, but vastly more grateful and
pleasant than that which was undertaken and
performed by Hercules, when he cleaned the
stables of Augeas. This heavy and yet deli
cate task should be entrusted only to men Of
known good character and ability, men who
can rise above the mere demands of party,
and who will do their whole duty fearlessly.


What Gov. Kellogg will do in this i'm
portant matter remains to be seen.