St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-05-23
WILL GERMAN Be CUT?
a Proposition to Limit It's
General instruction in
the Schools
Stirs Up a Breezy Discussion
in the School Board
Meeting.
Action Deferred to Per nit
Inspectors to Study the
Subject.
Attention Directed to the Ne
eessity for Economy for
Next Year.

The board of education met Yesterday
afternoon, President Baker in the chair.
There were present inspectors Scheffer,
Auerbach, Bridgman,K eane and Stamm,
Supt. Gilbert and City Attorney Law
Ter. The reports of committees being
called for, Chairman Scheffer, or the
committee on German, reported in favor
of the retention of German as study III
the primary grades. Inspector Auer-
bach opposed the adoption of the re-
port. He regarded the effort to teach
two languages at once to very young
children as waste of money, as the
children could not at SO early an
age be capable of pro6ting by
the instruction. The inspector be-
lieved that if it came to vote
four-fifths of the taxpayers would favor
the dispensing with German in the
lower grades. He offered a resolution
that German be retained as stndy, be-
ginning in the grammar schools and
continuing upward but that it be dis
continued in the primary grades.
President Baker said he had been
present at the discussion of the subject
held on the previous day, and that he
had been much impressed thereby. The
only strong argument, from his point OF
view. in favor of the retention Of Ger
man as study was that, by the pres
ent method of German instruction i'll
the lower school grades, certain chill
dren were reached who could not re-
ceiye the instruction later in life. He
should favor Its being taught in the in
termediate grades.
hn fo
the conclusion that this was not an
economic question. The point to be eS-
tablIshed was whether or not the Ger
man was a good and beneficial thing for
the children, not whether or not it
would save a couple Of thousand dollars
10 cut it out.
Inspector Scheffer took issue with In
spectOr Auerbach in the statement that
four-fifths of the taxpayers would vote
against German. Those who were agi-
tating for discOntinuance were people
whose children had
OutgrOyVn the Need
Of schools. 1t would be found that the
everyday business man, the clerk, and
all the young people, in fact, who had
families growing up, would vote for its
continuance.
Inspector Auerbach, in explanation Of
his position, said:
l offer this resolution for more than one
reason. In the first place, after informing
myself, as well as l could, and consulting
educators on this subject, have arrived at
the conclusion that pupil after having
studied the English language Is much better
prepared to take up foreign language, and
the discontinuance in the lower grades will
not interfere with its efficiency. In Germany,
where the problem of education has received
more consideration than in any other country,
the teaching of foreign languages begins in
the upper grade, as proposed in my resolution.
My other reason for offering this resolution
is from an economic view. 1t is our duty,
gentlemen, to administer our trust In such
manner that we can feel we are getting full
value for every dollar expended. The ac-
| qurement of foreign languages an accom-
| plishment, or luxury. and DO not think
that such was intended TO be afforded by our
| taxpayers. Our citizens have given frequent
utterances to this effect, and our chamber of
commerce, a representative body OF our best
citizens and taxpayers, has but re-
| Gently expressed its opinion on the
| subject unanimously in favor OF abol-
ishing the teaching of foreign languages in
| the common schools do not see how you
| can shut your eyes TO the wishes OF the tax
payers i'll times when the practice OF econ
| omy and retrenchment seem positive duty.
| If this question were left to vote of our cit
| liens to-day, am reasonably sure that four
| fifths of the voters of st. Paul would be with
me on this question. l know my views are
not popular with some of my fellow coun-
| trymen, but am not bidding for popularity,
| and only do as my best judgment and my
| conscience dictate.
Inspector Bridgman inquired of Supt.
| Gilbert whether there was not some
| other direction in which measures for
| economy could be taken with better eff
! feet than in the curtailment of branches
| of instruction. That gentleman replied
| in the affirmative, and enumerated GER
| tain directions in which retrenchment
! could be effected.
| Inspector Auerbach asked for the
| reading of letter sent to him as chair
man of the financial committee by the
| president of the board. The letter is as
| follows:
Economy Demanded.
| May 10, 1S91.-M Auerbach, ESQ.,, Chairman
| Finance Committee Board of Education
! My Dear Sir: On the day of the death of
! John W. Roche, Esq. the distinguished comp
| troller of the city, he completed an exhaust
I've report of the financial condition of ST.
| Paul. That report was laid before the con-
| ference committee of the heads of depart
ments last evening, and from it L make the
| following extract for your information:
Il feel it my duty to call your attention to
| the danger the educational interests are in
| through the reduced school tax levy limit
| under the recent laws. The next tax levy 70
| cover the school expenditures for this year,
| and which will be collectible next year, 1892.
! will not probably realize more than 100000
! for all purposes. The school salaries are at
| present on basis of about S4G7, 600 being
| $1,000 more than the sum which will be re-
| allied from the total tax levy, making no pro-
| vision for fuel, repairs, insurance, incidental
| expenses, salaries etc. Nor was any pro-
-f-fA So fln c0I,r1