Daily globe., 1879-05-20
THE MINNEAPOLIS SCHOOLS.

AHe "OHueJJNt cCUt0 " GCOvIO1btV ETNC-
ticed on the Teachers.
To the Editor of the Globe.
MINNEAPOLIS May 17.-Some ten days since
you published an article on the great injustice
in taxing our primary lady teachers and rob-
bing our children of one months schooling an
nually, signed Mechanic. Soon after the pub
ication of said article the school board re-
stored the children's school year to the old
schedule and rescinded the vote to tax primary
teachers receiving salary of $500 or less.
This being done the laboring man felt that
his duties toward the helpless lady teachers
and children were ended. But alas,
when the honorable board assembled
again they decided to win laurels while in
office by showing to their constituency that
they were equal to the emergency of retrench-
ment-consequently rescinded their former
order, as the higher grade teachers began to
throw mud and groan under the new tax Law
of per cent. Now, what do you think the
honorable board decided to do after due delib-
Grafton? Decided to make a name for them
selves by gathering into the ranks again the
helpless educated primary teachers. They,
being the weaker class, consequently could not
resistance. Of course the edict went forth
again that those poor girls must submit to the
tax -gatherer's stern, relentless hand. Yes. to-
day we have been somewhat amused
to see what some members of
tn the ,;loa board I'd ~, called q -. clean clean, cut cut
| mechanics sometimes cut pretty close to the
| mark, but never have been educated up to the
| standard of cutting clean enough to remove
many shavings after tfe wearing apparel and
Sunday contributions have been patched and
cut out of 1854 Or even 800. Yes, yes; moth.
ing like knowing how to do the thing!
Only think of we tax payers talking about
making clean cut in lady's 300 income
which is the only means that she can command
to purchase her wardrobe. The printed
schedule is before me, consequently will see il
can find any surplus to cut from: Primary
assistant, old 1880; new $3.50; tax 800; board
and washing $500 per week, ffty-two weeks
wardrobe: Only think of Minneapolis taz
payer making clean cut in this $3.50.
| Take the next higher grade, intermediate
| Old, $3.50; new, $425. Tax, $25; board anc
washing deducted, as just figured, leaves $l34
Only think of high-toned taxpayer trying t.
cut off small retrenchment slice Now, Sc sec
ond year in the grammar department. Old
$475; new, $3.50. Tax, 1926; board and washing
at old rates leaves $3.50.
In this lone lady's case, we small tax payer
would be compelled to consult some legal ad
vice before trying to collect this lady's tax, a
perhaps she might possibly resist the strong
arm of the tax gatherer. We will not TAX
more to prolong the list of salaries; have give,
the lowest and advanced in the grades unit
we reached the amount paid servant girls at 5
per week, which amounts to $l56. Doe
it ever occur to our honorable board that man,
of the educated girls instructing our childrei
cannot afford Sunday dress each year, an,
we mechanics standing by knowing the abov
to be true and read the report of the grea
bleeding and cutting process and not rise VI
with Indignation. Yes, we see just where tn
retrenchment cut is applied. To the city off
sial? No. Where then? On the strugglin
primary teachers, who have labored from earl
morn till late at night, with the hopes that a
heretofore merit would be rewarded, and a
usual salary increased, thereby making lif
more cheerful by being able to replace old gal
ments with new.
My neighbor, in speaking Of the clean cu
said that the board reminded him of his docte
who was always very anxious to GU
But in reply informed hill
that in the opinion Of his friend, no one but
school board could stand up and talk glibl
over the necessity of cutting a retrenchmcr
slice from 500 annual salary. But the love {
serving faithfully their constituency and bein
a retrencher must amply repay them for tn
great display of courage, and then again whe
they realize the political hereafter which wal
them for SO doing, can but be pleasant foo
for reflection. Yours truly, MECHANIC.