44 Address — Charles R. Skinner. 



the subject of the lecture. Signs are not wanting that this union is becoming 

 constantly closer. The widening of opportunity as a result of this union is in 

 line with the policy of the Board of Education under its present energetic 

 President, Mr. Miles M. O'Brien, The schools of our city were never before 

 put to such varied uses. Evening schools, lecture halls, play schools, reading 

 rooms and libraries are now found in our school buildings, all having as their 

 purpose the bringing of the truths of science and the lessons of history within the 

 reach of the common man. And this beautiful lecture hall, amply lighted and 

 properly ventilated, the just pride of our city, serves another purpose. By 

 contrast, it calls attention to the inadequate accommodations provided in many 

 other places where lectures are held, and will speed the day when all the school 

 lecture halls of the city will be properly equipped. 



Finally, the uses of the lecture hall emphasize the fact that education is 

 " not a thing for youth only, nor is it a thing for the favored classes only, but 

 it belongs to all and to all periods of life." In this hall, rich and poor alike are 

 welcome to learn the great lessons that nature teaches and to get from a 

 knowledge of science the key to real happiness. 



Of the seventy-five millions who dwell in our land, but a limited number 

 have been systematically educated. To give the masses hope and knowledge, 

 to teach the truth that "nothing is too late till the tired heart shall cease to 

 palpitate," to give larger visions and lofty ideals, to put men and women in 

 touch with noble souls, to bring beauty into the humblest home — all this is the 

 result that will be accomplished through museums and lectures. And may this 

 good work go on till all our people shall possess the truth that shall make them 

 free. 



Remarks by President Jesup, introducing the Hon. Charles R. 

 Skinner, Slate Superintendent of Public Instruction. 



" By a very happy arrangement with the State Department of 

 Public Instruction, the course of lectures which has been so 

 felicitously given by Professor Bickmore has been under the con- 

 trol of the Department of Education at Albany, and I am very 

 happy that we have with us this afternoon the Hon. Charles 

 R. Skinner, Superintendent of the State Department of Public 

 Instruction, and I have great pleasure in introducing him to you." 



Address of the Hon. Charles R. Skinner, State Super- 

 intendent of Public Instruction : 

 Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen : 



Let me congratulate you, Mr. President, upon the completion of this 

 monument to free education in our great metropolis. It attests the generosity 

 of the City of New York and is a testimonial to your excellent administration, 

 aided as you have been by other generous friends of education. The growth 

 of educational interests during the past few years is one of the wonders of this 

 receding century, and gives us hope for the century to come. 



I shall speak particularly in reference to the relations which for sixteen 

 years the State Department of Public Instruction has sustained to the educa- 

 tional department of this Institution. These relations have been exceedingly 

 close and pleasant, and I believe profitable to many thousands of the masses of 

 the people of the State. 



In 1884 the first act was passed which placed the Department of Visual 

 Instruction here under the State Department of Public Instruction. This 



