Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-06-24
GERMAN IN THE SCHOOLS.

Ruments in Favor of and Against the
Study Again ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS From
Outsiders and Insiders.
An adjourned meeting of the board of
education was held last evening to further
consider the question whether the study
of German shall be continued in the pub
lie schools of st. Paul. Every member of
the board was present, and also a goodly
number of interested spectators. Permis-
sion was given outsiders to address the
board pro and con.
Albert Scheffer, ESQ.,, appeared as an ad-
vocate of the Germans who wished con-
tinuance of the teaching, but before refut-
ing arguments in favor of its abolition,
desired to have them again stated that he
might speak Understandings.
Mr.. Ropp, editor of the VoIks Zeitung
addressed the board against the abolition
of German from the public schools. In
support of his position he quoted from
RowelFs directory the number of papers
printed in the United States in foreign
languages, of which there were 544 weekly
German papers and eighty eight dailies;
thirty Scandinavian weeklies and one daily,
and thirty eight French weeklies and eight
dallles. He spoke for a class of Germans
who came to this country to make perman-
en- homes, not for the rich but for the poor
who, by their labor, help to build up our
cities and develop the country. The Ger
man language was of benefit to every
| scholar who goes to school and who cannot
afford TO pay for private tuition.
| Inspector Officer spoke at length on the
question, reviewing the past action of
the board, and defined his position in IN
mistakable terms. He declared it an in
justice to foist upon children the study of
a foreign language when the great body
of parents were unable to assist them in a
proper understanding of branches already
taught. There was disorganization
among those who desired continuance of
the study of German, and there had been
admissions that the system had been a
failure. He quoted from statistics of 4.
E. johnson, emigration commissioner, for
1881 and 1882, showing that the immigra-
ton of Germans to this country was less
than that of other nationalities, and that
it cost $40 to bring German here where
it cost only 81 to bring Scandinavian
His prejudices against this question had
been increased. There Was no good
reason why the Scandinavian
language should not be intro
duced. He had been in St
Paul for twenty eight years, had seen the
city controlled by the French, then by tht
Irish, and had outlived that; had seen the
Germans in power. He would not pre-
tend to say that the Scandinavians woul(
ever control, though they might, as tina
element was rapidly increasing in mum
bers. He concluded his remarks by offer
ing the following resolution, as it invol
we'd a question that must be met, if the
first was admitted:
Resolued, That if instruction in the Ger
man language shall be continued, the com
mite on schools shall employ competen
teachers to give instructions in the Scandi
navian language in all grades of tn
schools where the German shall be taught
Inspector Benz opposed the resolution
He believed better results could be obtain
ed in the future. He was satisfied that al
! improvement could and would be made if
the study of German be continued another
year.
Mr.. Scheffer spoke at length in favor
of continuing the study. The Germans
did not demand it as right but as
courtesy. He did not speak for Germans
but for the language. 1t was a benefit tt
all scholars to understand the language
and be able to speak it. He hoped the
board would consider we'll before it de
cided to cast out branch of study tina
has been taught for twenty years. If i
has not been taught as it should be let the
} system be improved upon.
Inspector Oppenheim spoke at length
and earnestly in defence of his position
which was we'll known, as being agains
continuing the study in schools other thar
the high school. He boldly defined his
position and defended himself from as
saults that had been made against him
and took advanced ground in favor of such
a system of education as would make
good American citizens of the youth
of the country, and give them an education
that will enable them to earn living. In the
place of German he would have a gymna-
SUM department, and give free books tc
all scholars. He wanted st. Paul TO stand
at the front, and be bold enough to throw
out this German trash, though other cities,
which had been cited, were timid and hes
itating.
Inspector Schlffmann was opposed to
throwing out the German,Iand read his
views, which he had reduced to writing.
Inspector Gilbert spoke briefly and
against the question. He showed the i'm
possibility Of giving proper attention TO
this study, on account of the great number
of children in school and that il was weak
ening the minds of scholars by requiring
them to learn too much.
A running debate was INDUCED in by In
spectors Donnelly, Benz, Schifmann,
Gilbert, Officer and others, which culmi-
mated il the following resolution:
ResoIred, That pending the discussion OF
this question committee of five be ap-
pointed by the chair, consisting of both
German and American members, who shall
report to the board whether any way
can be devised whereby the German
language can be taught in our public
schools at different hours from the regular
school hours, or in such way as will not
interfere in any manner with the study of
the English branches.
Further debate followed, when Inspector
Donnelly moved the previous question,
| which was ordered and the resolution
adopted by vote of 9 to 3.
Inspector Officer moved that the resoIu-
ton and substitute be laid upon the table
pending the report of the committee, and
not to be taken up at the regular meeting
on Monday evening next, which motion
prevailed.
| The president announced Tnsnectors