St. Paul daily globe., 1891-05-29

| school grades in the language that is the
mother tongue of so many of our best citi-
zens. and. as another has well said, THE
mother tongue of one of the most enlight-
ened nations of the world"
Several persons have recently expressed
themselves through the daily papers as in
favor of making this study optional; but let
1t be distinctly understood that 1t is optional
already. No scholar in this city is obliged to
pursue the study of German but the fact
that more than 5000 children elect to pursue
1t is well worth the careful consideration Of
this board, as in all probability they make
this election with the consent and advice OF
their tax-paying parents. A great deal has
been said about economy, and. indeed, THIS
seems to be the chief ground upon which
this change is urged. No man on this board
IS more in favor of economy than am but
do not believe the course proposed Will be
an economical one for this city. You try in
various ways to build up your city by induc-
Ing people to come here and make their
homes among you, and l tell yon there is no
better way to advertise the city than by tell
ing the world of its educational advantages.
Let us find other ways in which to econo-
mize, and not begin by crippling our schools
through cutting down teachers salaries and
eliminating important branches from the
course of study. A great deal has been said
about taking German out of the lower grades,
but the experience of teachers is that young
children will learn the language much
more readily than others MANY of the
scholars, moreover, leave school before they
reach the higher grades and the opportunity
OF taking this study would thus be denied to
them altogether. In my opinion. a much
better way than taking it out of the lower
grades would be to leave it where it is, re-
duce the number of teachers in this branch
OF instruction: require those who are retained
70 teach larger classes say classes of forty or
fifty. In this way we can reduce the ex-
pense of teaching this language by at least
$1,000 annually, and still not deprive any
one of the privilege of taking it who desires
to do so.
In view of these and other considerations
shall feel it my duty to vote against the
resolution offered by my friend Mr.. Auer-
bach.
The Resolution Lost.
Inspector Kean's motion having re-
ceived no second, the question was on
the original resolution by Inspector
AuerDach, providing that German be
discontinued in all grades below the
grammar school. The vote showed
three for and three against the resolu-
ton. Inspectors Keane and Auerbach
and President Baker voted ay, and In
spectors Bridgman. Stamm and Schef-
fer no. The resolution was lost.
This leaves the matter of German
instruction precisely as it was before,
and in accordance with the recommen-
dation of Chairman Scheffer for the
CUlHlllll0e Oll GcTllldl. 1IldU COIllINlIl60
will report at the next meeting of the
board on methods of effecting saving
from the present cost of German teach
ing.
The reporto of the committee on schools
was read and adopted. The committee
recommended that the salaries of teach
ers now i'll the employ of the board be
not reduced, and submitted salary
schedule for principals of schools which
differed only slightly from the one at
present in effect.
On motion of Inspector Auerbach,
Secretary Whites salary was fixed at
$50 per month, dating from May l, and
a motion by Inspector Bridgman that
the office of assistant secretary be aboi-
1shed was also passed.
The Sherman school now in operation
and regarded as unnecessary was dis
continued by unanimous vote.
The committee on rules reported on
sections of the rules previously submit
ted and referred back for revision. The
sections as revised were adopted.
The pay roll for teachers and officers,
the former amounting TO s37, 500 and the
latter to S6S3.30, was indorsed.
The board adjourned to meet Friday,
June 5, at o'clock.