Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-07-09
OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
ORGANIZATION OF THE NEW BOARD
or EDUCATION.
DR.. Murphy Elected President, W. r.
Merriam, Treasurer - Superintendent
burlington Declines Re-eleotion--The
Election OF Superintendent Postponed.

len, R. E. A. Whitney, G. D. Kerr, j. j. DON
nelly, A. G. Manson, Alfred Dufrespe, and
Joseph J. McCardy.
interest attached to this meeting from the
fact that it was thought the
first action of the board would
be to elect superintendent, and
a hot and spirited contest would be made by
members favoring the different candidates
for the position. For some time past per-
sons desiring the position have been work.
ing hard against the present incumbent, by
circulating reports against him, and even 90
ing so far as getting him denounced from
the pulpit.
This expectation of lively scene drew
quite large number of citizens to witness
the Inauguration of the new board. But an
unforeseen circumstance robbed the whole
business of its spice and much Of it's inter
est. All the members were present and
promptly on time.
The meeting was called to order and'Dr.
Murphy was appointed temporary Chairman
and Mr.. Manson temporary secretary.
ORGANIZING.
The first business of the board was to ad-
minister the oath of Office to new members.
This being done, Mr.. Kerr said that the
board were the judges of the qualifications
of its own members, and he moved that the
gentleman who were sworn in be accepted as
membera of the board. Tho motion was
carried
It was proposed by Mr.. Scheffer that DIR.
Murphy be the chairman of the new board,
and the secretary was instructed to cast a
formal ballot in his favor.
Dr.. Murphy returned thanks for the honor
conferred on him, saying it was fattering
to him as it was unexpected.
Mr.. burlington here rose and said in Or
der to remove any uneasiness from the
minds of his friends, he begged to state that
he was not candidate for reelection as
superintendent. He thanked the board in
eloquent terms for the courtesies and kindly
treatment he had received at their hands.
He trusted they would elect man for the
position in every sense qualified, and one
superior TO himself.
DR.. Hagan said the choice of superin-
tendeat was a very important matter, and he
would move that the election of superintend-
ent be postponed till the board have time tc
investigate and hunt upa thoroughly compe-
tent man to fill the position. question
was r,i,sd whether the board could
vote on the question till il
was properly organized, Mr.. Kerr stating
that it would be supplementary and con.
trary to all precedent.
DR.. Hagan withdrew his motion.
Col. Kerr was then unanimously elected
vice president.
Mr.. Merriam nominated Mr.. Manson TO,
the office of secretary.
Mr.. Schetfer nominated Mr.. McCardy. a
ballot was taken, resulting in votes for Nc
Cardy and for Manson.
Mr.. Manson was declared elected.
Mr.. Cullen then nominated MI Merriam
for treasurer.
Dr.. Hagan nomina Mr.. Albert Scheffer
On the roll being called, Mr.. Merriam had
votes; Mr. Scheffer 4.
Mr.. Scheffer moved that the vote be made
unanimous for Mr.. Merriam. The motion
was carried.
DIR. Hagan then renewed his motion tc
postpone the election of superintendent til
the last meeting of the board in August. He
spoke at some length upon the importance
of the election, and the desirability of get
ting the best possible man for the position.
WANTED IT SECRET.
Mr.. Benz said he should oppose the mo-
ton, and as an amendment he moved tina,
the board proceed to the election of superin
tendent, and that all persons except mem
bers of the board, including members of the
press, be requested to withdrew.
Mr.. Donnelly-Mr. President, shall
always oppose any such motion, in whatever
board may be a member. I shall always
most emphatically raise my voice against
any dark lantern proceedings. owe it tx
the public and my constituency. Whatever
am going to say I wish to have the priv
lege of saying square up and down, and moi
in secret sessions, and I object to any sta
chamber proceedings here.
Mr.. Benz-I think, MI. Donnelly, ] an
not less afraid than you are to speak out.
am not afraid of any one knowing what
say or what do, either.
THE SUPERINTENDENT.
Mr.. Kerr spoke at great length upon The
ndvisability of deferring the election. The
board should proceed slowly. The presen
incumbent had declared himself not can
didate, and thus relieved the board of any
restraint, and it was more important still fol
the board to be cautious. The board should
select a man head and shoulders above every
man. He certainly thought the board should
elect no man who had had no experience as
o superintendent; whatever man may be
as a teacher, he might still be
unfit for the superintendent po-
sltton. He felt the importance of delibera-
ton in the matter. The board had
been twitted that other cities were ahead or
educational matters, and it would be rank
folly to rashly place any man in the position
Mr.. Whitney thought also that the matter had
better be deferred to give the board an op
portunity to find the best man possible fol
fhn T.
superintendent held office till September
Mr.. Benz did not think the superintendent
held over: he believed he went out of Office
on the first of this month.
Mr.. Schefer said as long as he has been q
member of the board the superintendent hello
office till September.
The question causing some discussion, Mr.
Darlington explained that he came into
office In September, and he goes out on
the first of that month.
Mr.. Benz said that he was of the opinion
that the superintendent goes out
of Office on the first Monday Of July.
Mr.. Donnelly said, we were elected in May
but did not come into Office till now, He
had been member before, and he knew the
practice was that the superintendent hold
over till September.
Mr.. Benz was opposed to deferring the
election of superintendent.
Mr.. Donnelly called for the question.
Mr.. Benz moved as an amendment that
the board proceed with tie election of SUI.
perintendent.
Mr.. Kerr said the gentleman was out OF
Mr.. Benz said he concurred with Col.
Kerr and others, that it was well to
nave as good man as possible,
out the people could not afford to pay a man
large salary, and they had good man in
Inc CITY who was qualified for the position.
ton.
Mr.. Donnelly moved that the amend
rnents be laid on the table ,rha n,a4;a.,