Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-01-26
BURT's BOUNCE.

Gov. PiIIsbury's Reappointment Of super
intendent Burt Rejected by the Senate---
Why it was Done---an Interv lew with
Mr.. Burt.
The Senate having refused to confirm
the appointment of Hon. David Burt to
be State superintendent of public instruc-
ton yesterday, he having held that i'm
portant Office for three consecutive pre-
vious terms, GLOBE reporter inter
viewed number of Senators, to learn if
possible what the objections to his con-
firmation were. One Senator, in re-
sponse to inquiries, said that nothing had
been said in the executive session derog-
atory to Superintendent Burt, amp that
Senators were not allowed to divulge
what took place whilst the
Senate was in secret
conclave. He intimated, however, that
the inirmities incident to age were eweigh
ing rather heavily upon the State super
intendent, and that it was thought that
Younger man placed in his position would
infuse more vigor and life into the public
school system Of the State than had been
apparent for some years past.
From another Senator it was ascer-
tanned that the committee on education
had reported unanimously against his
confirmation, and that the vote stood ten
for confirmation and twenty three against.
Another stated that the friends Of Mr..
Burt charged the committee with having
been influenced by the Merrill textbook
interest, and that the committee de-
MED that the text book had been men
toned during the committees deliberations
upon the subject. Another stated that
Mr. Burt had become unpopular; that he
was very widely disliked for his overbear
ing and domineering ways; that he had
winning ways to make teachers hate him,
and that he had the faculty of attending
to everbody's business but his own. An
other objected to him because he is oler-
gyman, and the Senator expressed his
dislike at the clergy having anything to
do with the educational interests OF the
State, few being able to 80 far lay aside
their religious training as to be able to
serve the State in that capacity without
bringing their creed into the schools or
favoring those who were OF similar faith
to their own There were several
who voted against the confirma.
ton of Mr.. Burt purely upon the
recommendation of the committee on ed
ucation. They would have voted for
him If the committee had reported in his
favor, but felt that it would not be show
ing the committee on education proper
consideration if they voted against the
report without having investigated the
subject themselves, which they had not
done. There was also some talk OF re-
consideration of the vote by which the
appointment was rejected.
The GLOBE representative then pro-
ceeded to the residence of Mr.. Burt,
where he was courteously received by
that gentleman, and in response to in.
uuiries as to his theory of the matter,
said he was unwilling. to discuss
it in the newspapers. He had
not solicited the appointment from the
governor this term and was not dis
appointed at not having been confirmed.
BE had been charged with disobeying the
textbook law, but this charge was with
out foundation in fact He believed that
the State could buy better and cheaper
books elsewhere than of Mr.. Merrill, and
that in consequence he would not recon
mend the books, but that he has obeyed
the law Notwithstanding He reviewed
his labors during the years of his incum-
bency of the Office, and claimed that he
had held more teachers institutes than
his predecessor (Mr. Dunnell), and that
he had held them cheaper.
Mr.. Burt next spoke of the charge OF
sectarianism which was being passed
around. and said that since his appoint
ment to the office of State superintendent
he had refrained from preaching or TAX
ing part in religious exercises as min
lister of the gospel, and believed
he had treated all denominations
with the strictest impartiality. He called
the reporters attention to the letter writ
ten by teacher which appeared in the
Minneapolis Tribune yesterday morning,
saving that it was written by Prof.
Phelps. of Winona, and said that it was
utterly false; that Mr.. Phelps harbored
i'll feeling toward him and took that
method Of doing him an injury. In re-
gard to the charge that he was not
practical educator of the modern type,
he said that he knew as much about edu-
cation as Prof. Phelps did; that IN his
youth he had had thorough university
education and had been identified with
the educational interests Of the country,
as a teacher or otherwise, almost all
his life. In regard TO MS
favoring private institutions OF
learning more than tne n!gn scnools vi
the State, he stated that this charge was
utterly false. He was friendly to all
meritorious educational institutions, but
as a public officer he had faithfully and
fearlessly discharged his duty, and ne
was of the opinion that If he had been
less faithful to the trust reposed in him
he would not have had the opposition of
Mr.. Merrill and Prof. Phelps. He said
that among the large number of persons
with whom he had been brought in con-
tact he had doubtless incurred the hos
tility of some, but he had never solicited
anyone to go to the Governor in his be-
half, and yet among the hundreds who
had called upon the Governor very few
were opposed to him, while the majority
had urged his re- appointment.
Until Feb. 9Th. -