St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-07-08

the matter introduced by DR.. Hins-
dale in his report on the city
school systems discussed in the
afternoon-was Cne of the high
est import to educators, the discussion
was Of the most rambling character.
There really was disposition on the
part of members to shirk the subject,
for what reason they alone know.
There were but ninety-one members
present at the close of the discussion.
The only men who seemed heart and
soul in the subject were DR.. HinSdale
and DR.. Wright. They fairly rev.
eled in the discussion, delivering
long speeches as often as they could
possibly get them in. The value of DR.:
Hinsdale'S paper was somewhat marred
by his reference to the government OF
Washington, D. G., hfs deductions
being entirely controyerted by Prof.
Richards, 2 citizen of Washington. This
cannot be better illustrated than by the
following parallel:
Prof Hinsdale- Prof Richards
It is a fact that the l have lived in
best governed city in Washington, ID. C..
the United States is a for forty years, and
City where the citi- solemnly declare that
zens have no directyou cannot find
voice in the govern more miserably gov
ment. / refer toerned city in this
Washington, the goy-country.
ernmenI of which is a
pure despotism.
If DR.. Hinsdale is as wide Of the
mark in the other conclusions he placed
before the council yesterday, as he ap-
pears to be in regard to the government
of Washington, his remarks ought to
carry little weight. The position taken
up.by DR.. Hinsdale and DR.. Wright
Of mi &c, cfr
their point of view, but it did not re-
ceiye very general support. Educators
appear to have confidence in the people,
and did not relish the proposition to
take the election of boards of
education out of the power of the peo-
pie. They argue, and very properly,
that if there were any abuses, it any re-
forms were needed, the people should
be- educated to the required point.
Ouce that were done, the good and eff
clent government of schools would as
suredly follow. There is no doubt that
in few cities-Cincinnati and some
New England cities-the school adj
ministratiOn is lax and altogether
unworthy of any enlightened COM
munity. But the Judgment of Drs. Hins--
dale and Wright is likely to be warped
on this question, however good their in
tCHtlOuS fudy Dc. DOIu SelGltLuCI iidFC
occupied the position of superintendent
of schools Hinsdale at Cleveland
and DR.. Wright at Cincinnati. They
fortunately, ora unfortunately, Sc
cured for themselves the en-
nifty of the political ward
bummers. and consequently failed to
secure e-election to Office. But, be-
cause politics are rotten to the core in
few Eastern cities, does not justify the
sweeping action recommended by these
two gentlemen. A private talk with
members of the council disclosed the
fact that the general school administra-
ton of the country-with the exception
of "a few big cities-was good, and
could not be improved by the plan laid
down by DR.. Hinsdale. This question
should not be dismissed withouta refer
ence to the address of Supt. Greenwood,
wherein he explained the excellent sys-
tenn adopted in Kansas City in the cleo
ton of school board members. All par
ties sink political differences, and none
but the best men are nominated. This
plan has worked well for fifteen years.