St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-09-03
A Philippe BY PYLE.
Which Stirs Up the Animals
at a School Board Meet
ing.
Shall the Inspectors Knuekle
to the Assembly Is the
Point.
superintendent Gilbert Sag-
gests a Change in Exam
nations.
Nany Changes Reported in
the Long Roster Of School
Teachers.

When DR.. Stamm, the chairman of
the committee on janitors, submitted
his report at the meeting of the board
of school inspectors last evening, it
stirred up a ripple of excitement. This
report in question appointed corps OF
janitors and assistants for the different
schools, and fixed complete schedule
of salaries. This was, it seems, some
what in conflict with the original sched-
ule as passed upon by the board at a
previous session.
Inspector Pyle quietly arose and asked
the anlmus of this secondary or substi-
tute report. In mis- opinion it was a
modification of the schedule that had
already been agreed upon. lie wanted
to know the reason for the changes.
DR.. Stamm explained that the assem-
bly, had protested against the acts OF
the inspectors, and that the committee
on janitors had met with the assembly
committee on schools, and this report
was partially the result.
Inspector Pyle made drastic reJoln-
der at some length. He took the ground
that there are two vital questions at is
sue between the two bodies that should
first be settled. The council is disposed
to treat the board of education as though
merely clerical duties were imposed
upon it. and when the board of educa-
ton, in Mr.. Pyle'S esteem, makes con-
cession TO the council, it must seriously
initiate against the service of the board
of education. If the board Is an indie
pendent body, coordinate with the
council, it is only a derOgatiOn Of its
dignity to confer on the question of sal
airy schedules, and therefore he moved
that the report of the committee be de-
ferred. He argued that 1t should be
postponed until the question of passing
upon the pay rolls had been definitely
determined.
President Scheffer asked the indul-
gence of the board to make an eXplana-
ton. The schools are about TO be
opened. and there will be no meeting of
the council for couple of weeks. The
ianitOrs are unaVOidably necessary at
once. and the differences between the
board and the council cannot be adjust
ed for some considerable time.
DR.. Keane thought he could
Throw Some light
Upon the problem. He is member of
the committee making the report. DIR.
Keane felt that Mr.. Pyle had 4 wrong
The committee on janitors had in no
possible contingency compromised the
dignity of the board. They had practi
cally conceded nothing to the council.
The changes in the schedule were very
slight, and mainly embraced such
things as were not covered by the origi-
nal schedule. The principal interpola-
ton was the provision for assistant JAM
tors and fixing their compensation.
President Scheffer added that the
original schedule had been formulated
under a misrepresentation of the real
conditions that surrounded it. That is,
( some of the principal janitors, or those
who had previously been allowed a
maximum salary. were obliged to en-
plOy additional help, remunerated from
the regular salary of such ianitors. He
felt this al injustice.
Inspector Pyle insisted that the ques-
ton involved was one of principle.
Either the board had legal independent
rights or it was composed of clerks,
subordinate to the politicians of the
common council. He was opposed to
concession even of the most trivial char
acteT. The board had been menaced by
the members OF the council. The threat
had been hurled in his teeth that the
board must knuckle to the council or
the pay roll would never pass. Mr..
Pyle ampliiied that the corporation
attorney, whose absence from the meet
ing he regretted, had advised him that
the board is body independent of the
council, and he was conscious of the
temper Of the general public. The SYM
patty of the intelligent citizens of st,
faul is most pronouncedly with the
board of education. While he diSpar-
aged any bad results that may &C crue
from delay in fixing the schedule of
salaries for ianitors, he was inSistent in
the corporate rights of the board. He
did not want to meet with threats from
the council, and then concede anything
that could be construed by the public
as a
Victory of the Council,
and he felt that the council would make
the most of it should the board adop
this amended salary list. He agar
moved TO postpone action for the pres
ent.
DrStamm again explained the course
that had been pursued by the co mint
tee on janitors, and, while he was per
Iectly willing to postpone action, in the
light Of Mr.. Pyle'S argument, he wanted
TO aceentuate the fact that the dignity
OF the board had escaped the contact Of
the Monday conference unblemished.
DIR. Brldgman suggested that there
was an old schedule that could be made
to serve in the interim. and he felt the
president would see that all the school:
were supplied with competent janitors
Mr.. Pyle said the board is not liable
to do anybody an injustice. Janitor
viii be paid. When the authority o
the board to transact the school bust
ness of the city shall have been estab
lished, the board can vote back pay i
some one in the employ OF the boar,
has not been adequately remunerated
DR.. Keane suggested that the oil
schedule be made to do service for TIL
time being, and Mr.. Pyle withdrew hi
motion to postpone action, and it wa
voted to put the original schedule il
force. There was not diSse ntin
voice.
Supt. Gilbert explained that inasmuc
as the schools had not been in session
since his last report he had no forms
report to make, but he had recon
mendation that he considered of grea
Importance. The recommendation re
lating to the mode of examinations, is
The method lof promoting children frol
one grade 10 another in school and th
proper basis for such promotions are matter
OF the gravest importance. The old and sti
common method of formal examinations
lhc pupil dDllllE 10 20 the WOf
Of a higher grade is tested by his facility i
answering certain selected conundrums. SUI
posed 10 be based upon the work of the grad
below. is falling into deserved disrepute. TIL
objections. which there is no time TO discu.
here fully, are: The frequent unfairness
the questions, the insuffieiency of any e,
animation upon any set question as test {
the mental power and development
young children. The injury to health throug
the strain upon the nervous system an
the opinion quite generally held that the ez
animation system is unphiosophical an
illogical Influenced by these opinions, whic
were at the time fully set forth by me som
years since, when principal of the hig
school, | recommend 10 the board of edI
cation that in the high school the method
promotion be changed, and that the opinio
of teachers and principal recorded frol
Time to time, and carefully inspected, shouI
determine whether child was qualified fl
work in higher grade, allowing in ever
case an appeal to an examination. Tn
recommendation was adopted, and tbs
method has been employed in the high schot
aud training schools TO this time. The boar
OF education and the then superintendent {
Ial H.