LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
THE NONCONFORMISrs AND THE ENDOWED.
SCHOOLS.
[TO THIII EDITOR OF THE "SPEOTATOR:] taking leave of "Alpha," I will only tusk permission for: a few lines.
1. It is admitted that the Commissioners have placed clerical ex-officio governorsan thirty-six out of forty schemes, and in some schemes more than one such governor. These appointments were utterly illegal, a violation not only of the spirit but of the letter of the Act. They gave to one religious community a relation to, these schools to which they had no just claim, and which could not but be offensive to others. I do not believe that there will bo- otie clergyman the less on the governing bodies; but those who will be elected to that office, will be placed in a position more honourable to themselves, and more consistent with the self- respect and rights of other people. I do not expect " Alpha " to understand the "temper of mind" which makes this distinction,. but many will.
2. Your correspondent has a great dislike to ismy "curious cal- culations," and yet they seem to have a strange fascination for him. They are "incapable of verification," rest on no "trust- worthy data," and even the Commissioners are so innocent that they could not "supply the information." I only ask your readers to observe that their accuracy remains unchallenged. I have no doubt that other eyes beside those of "a central com- mittee" have searched them out by this time. Of seventy-four co-optative governors named by the Commissioners in these schemes, sixty-five are Churchmen, and only nine Nonconformists; fifty are Conservatives, and only twelve are Liberals. It will require a good deal of ingenious pleading to take the meaning out. of these facts.
3. I venture to think that even " Alpha " has conceded the
excessive amount of the co-optative element in these schemes. He devotes his strength to show that they are temporary, and in fact will become indirectly representative. We are quite familiar with. this indirect representation. Old Sarum was supposed " indi- rectly " to represent Manchester, and there were not wanting, " Alphas " to prove that this was the best possible mode of repro-.
sentation. But Manchester could never be brought to see either the wisdom or the justice of the arrangement. We prefer the real thing. The solid mass of co-optatives which the Commissioners have placed on the governing bodies, and which will have the initiation of the new schemes, will bring with them such
"continuity of tradition," of prejudice, and of obstruction, as will render the true representatives of the people absolutely helpless.
4. Your correspondent has a poor opinion of my knowledge of the Report of the Schools' Inquiry Commissioners. I cannot with any regard to modesty attempt to convert him to a better state of mind. I have read it, and unlike most reports, I think it as interesting as a romance, and as sad as a tragedy. I did know that the Commissioners recommended the creation of Provincial Councils, and that Parliament had not adopted the recommenda- tion. But why raise a poor side-issue like this ? I cited the Report for two purposes : to show that the Commissioners depre- aated a large infusion of the co-optative element, and that they had great faith in an "energetic popular interest in the subject," and that "direct election would be the surest means of securing that living force" which is "the most trustworthy guarantee of permanent activity and efficiency." In both respects the schemes are out of sympathy with the spirit of the Report. But, indeed, 1 find in them only faint traces of that bold hand which is every- where discernible in the Report.
5. I venture to think that "Alpha" has not answered my question respecting Walsall, forgiven me the Saxon word I want. Again the facts are undisputed. St. Paul's Chapel was built out of the school endowment ; the governors propose to sell it and restore the money ; and the Commissioners propose to give it to the Bishop of the diocese. What defence does " Alpha " make of this proposal ? He thinks I do not know that it was built under a "special Act of Parliament," and that the Commissioners had "no business -either to impeach or to condone." I think that loss subtle minds will regard the very proposal as a condoning of the deed ; and that it does not require a very lofty standard of morals to agree with the Mayor of Walsall, that by so doing the Commissioners ." take £3,000 from a charity so badly in need of funds."
6. Your correspondent seems to think that if there be no local complaints the schemes are approved, and even the Spectator rests something on this ground. What would lie have ? Does he expect that in a village or a small town the inhabitants are to take exception to the individual gentlemen named by the Commis- sioners ? Ho knows .he is mocking us. It is the severest con- demnation of past misgovernment that so little local interest is taken in the schools, and we complain that those schemes will tend In perpetuate this indifference, by excluding from them free popular influence. It should be remembered also that there are many villages and small towns in England in which men have hardly the courage to "peep or mutter." But I suppose "Alpha" knows that London did revolt against the Emmanuel Hospital scheme, and that the Commissioners themselves being judges, they improved it? Have not Walsall, Felstead, Brent wood, Colchester, Gillingham, and other places, protested against the schemes which have been prepared for them ?
The Commissioners have again a noble opportunity presented to them. The removal of these clerical ex-officio governors will give them the means of popularizing the schemes. Let them think more of the people for whose advantage the schools are designed,
and less of the trustees, whose indifference or incapacity has brought the schools to their present state. Let them have more
faith in the common-sense of the people, and less in ingenious and " indirect " devices. If the Spectator will aid in this work it will fulfil one of the noblest functions of journalism ; and for the ful- ness and freedom with which you have allowed the question to be -discussed, I beg to tender you hearty thanks.—I am, Sir, &o.,
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