St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-06-08
NO SNUB INTENDED.
President Garfield Explains--Ed-
vocational Association Data,

Thus far in the National Educational
association unpleasantness nothing di-
rect had been heard from President
with him, had in Lawrence, Kan, which
puts the trouble in new light and
shows no snub or slight was intended.
President Garfield said:
81 am perfectly willing to state to you
the facts in this case. When in st. Paul
last fall, at the time of making the pre-
liminary arrangements for our meeting.
| referred to Chairman Merrill and his
committee, the matter of the represent
alton of Minnesota on our program me.
| was in constant communication with
Mr.. Merrill and his co-laborerS with re-
gard to this and other matters, until the
completion of the programme, which
was placed in the hands of the printer
through Maj. Wright. the vice-chair-
man of the local committee, at the usual
time, Feb. Is. This early date is neces-
sary in order that our official bulletin
containing our programme may come
from the press by March 1.
Cup to this time there had been no
reference whatever to Archbishop Ire
land, that l can recall. Under date of
March 81, Chairman Merrill wrote me,
simply asking if it might not be we'll to
offer Archbishop. ireland an oppor-
tunitv to give an address on some sub
ject during the time of the convention.
Maj. Wright wrote the same in sub
stance at about the same time. One
hundred thousand copies of the pro-
gramme had been printed, aud L think
nearly all had been distributed. l was
not fn hO n o.
cure place for the archbishop at such
a late date under all the circumstances,
but | studied the programme carefully
and replied in the letter of March
25. already printed. BY that letter l
simply sought, as | said, to secure more
definite information as to what those
gentlemen thought would be SatlSfac-
tory recognition of the archbishop. l
knew Of one or two persons on the pro-
gramme who, since acceptance. had be-
come a little doubtful of their ability to
be present. [ thought it might be pos
Sible to substitute the archbishop for
one of these, although felt some hest
fancy about requesting any of those
whose names had already appeared to
withdraw to the reserve list. But l
felt willing to make the attempt. Under
date of March 30, Mr.. Merrill wrote me
that he desired the archbishop to be
placed on the programme for a thirty
minute address; and stated The will
doubtless take the theme of parochial
schools, and will decide that matter be-
fore long and let us know" He also
referred to the person who was 'to open
the discussing of the archbishop'S
paper, etc.
Executive Circular No. 2, which had
been in Mr.. Merrill's hands, set the
time for paper and its discussion at
an hour and twenty minutes. | could
not possibly secure this time, and there
fore could not grant the request if this
theme and discussion was insisted on.
The question of 'Parochial Schools had
been discussed at our last meeting, and
l preferred if possible to repeat no top
les. Even if | could have found the
time, | did not know where to find the
gentlemen to conduct the discussion
Mr.. Merrill did not state that the arch.
bishop had chosen this theme, but that
he was thinking of so doing. Ny letter
of April 2 was intended to express a
preference for some other theme which
need not be followed by discussion. L
could not help feeling annoyed that the
matter had been presented to the arch
bishop at all until | was atleast reason
ably sure, on conference with the gen.
tlemen already appointed, of being able
to make a place for him Though L wish
not TO be understood as blaming any
one-it seems to have been simply a
misunderstanding.
1.-The fact is, no one has been Snubbed;
no one has been insulted: no invitation
has been withdrawn, and no person and
no topic has been barred in the sense
in which this term is being used. There
is no platform under the sun which is
freer than that of the National associa-
ton. There is no association in the
world so broad and liberal and generous
in it's treatment of all persons and all
themes. To presume from one side OF
hasty business correspondence, the
spirit and purpose and conditions of
which are only known to the parties d.
rectly interested, that there is bigotry,
or intolerance, or narrowness, or ex-
clusiyeness on the part of the asSocia-
ton OF any of its officials, is the sheereSt
folly Imaginable"
CONVENTION NOTES.
Mrs. Alice B. Stockham, of Chicago,
is in the city making arrangements for
kindergarten exhibit.
The executive committee will meet
Monday at o'clock.
The pastors of the city are requested
to announce from their pulpits to-day
the importance of people opening their
homes for the teachers during the COM
ing convention.
Secretary Sherin has issued orders on
the treasury up to date to the amount
of SO, 246.27.
The official programme will be issued
during this week.
/ President Garfield is expected to ar
rive about the 18th to remain until after
. the convention. He will be quartered
at Hotel Ryan.
The Great Northern Railway line is