Daily globe., 1883-06-16

the DCard, al the request OF inspector
Donnelly, then addressed the board in op-
position to the resolution.
He took the position that the board was
the sole judges of what should be taught
in the schools, and that in prescribing the
course of studies they must be governed
by the demands and wants of the tax-pay-
ers by whom the schools were supported
He combatted the argument advanced in
some quarters that the teaching of foreign
languages in the schools operated to pre-
vent the assimilation of the different
natlonalities composing this nation, citing
as a striking illustration the republic of
Switzerland. He further contended that
the study of German was a great help in
mastering the English language. and that
IN community like ours it is almost a
business necessity. In conclusion he called
attention to the fact that it had been
taught in our schools for twenty years.
without protest through the ballot box, or
by petition, and argued that for the
board under these circumstances 10
so to work and change the order of things
would be equivlent to breach of faith.
Inspector Benz called upon Supt.
Wright for a report of the result of teaching
German in the schools.
Inspector DonnelIy objected that the
superintendent could not be brought into
discussion of this nature.
Inspector Benz said he did not want the
superintendent's opinion, but simply his
report Of actual results accomplished.
Inspector Officer here explained that
Supt. Wright had informed him that
his figures, as taken by the state superin-
tendents report, of the percentage of
scholars in the st. Paul schools who had
availed themselves of the opportunity to
study German, was wrong, was too small
Before the next meeting he would correct
his figures according to those of
the superintendent. He only wanted
the whole question presented fairly and
had supposed when taking the figures from
the state report, he had got the right data.
Supt. Wright, in response to the request
of Inspector Benz, said that he had not the
reports of teachers requisite to give in de-
tail the work in the German language in
the schools, and that he could not be ex-
pected to express an opinion pro or con
upon the subject under discussion. His
duty was exc, We not legislative.
MIR. G. S. Bryant was then called for,
and briefly gave his experience when con-
nected with the Cincinnati schools in the
year 1926, during which years the ques-
tion of German in the schools played quite
an important part in the politics of the
city. After long discussion a system was
| finally adopted by setting apart a certain
school room in a district, where the teach
| ing of English and German was alternated,
| commencing with the B G, and con-
| Guiding with the mastering of the Thir d
reader. This proved entirely satisfactory y
| to both Americans and Germans, and the
| system had finally been adopted by most
of the principal cities of the state, and had
in his opinion proved beneficial to the
school interests of the state.
Mr.. Henry Meyerding, former member
of the board, explained how the teaching
Of German can be introduced into our
schools, and argued that public policy,
good faith and the best interests of the
schools required its retention.
| Inspector Schiffmann called for, said he
was we'll pleased with the result of the
| teaching of German in the schools. He be-
lieved it had proved Il general benefit, and
that the board was justified both in law
and in results attained in retaining it.
President Oppenheim, calling Vice
President Gilbert to the chair, said he had
not proposed to make speech on the sub
| iect at this time. He first wanted
to hear all the arguments that
| could be advanced in favor of
retaining the study. He would, however,
| say that he did not believe that the board
had authority to order the teaching of Ger
man or any other foreign language in our
public schools. The action of the board
of education twenty years ago was not
hiI1HinCr tho
duty of the present board was to legislate
for the best interests of the schools under
the laws provided for their govsrnance
The common school system was devised to
educate the masses in the principles of
our form of government, and in those
essentials necessary to the performance of
ordinary business, not to teach the sc-ca He'd
mplishments. 1t was a fine thing to
be good lingnist,a good musician, ETC., but
he did not believe the board had the right to
use public funds, raised by taxation, to
teach those accomplishments. In conclu-
sion, Mr.. Oppenheim said he had strong
convictions upou the subject, which he
would present more in detail at the next
meeting.
Inspector Donnelly then closed the dis
cussion for the evening by brief recital
OA Ills 4SSiSOIlo 4OL 1ulLOUUCIuR tl0 r6SOlu-
ton, viz: That English is the national
language, that no other should be taught
at the public expense and cannot be with
out doing injustice to the national Ian
guage and weakening the national
school system.
The board then adjourned to Wednes-
day evening next.
CASUALTIES