St. Paul daily globe., 1891-05-29
DEUTSCH zU LEAREN.
The Study of German to Con-
tinue in the Schools Of
st. Paul.
BY a Tie Vote the Motion to
Eliminate Fails to
Carry.
The Board Asks for the Full
Levy for School Pur-
poses.
Park Sites Argued and Quoted
Before the Commis-
SionerS.


ception of Inspector Pyle, who has not
yet returned. Chairman Auerbach, OF
he committee on finance, stated that on
investigation it was found the full
amount to be realized for school pur-
poses from taxes for the current year
was $4,000. He showed that s407, 900
was necessary for teachers salaries,
probably $3.50 for fuel and from S25.-
600 to $4,000 for general supplies. The
city treaSurer'S report Oh the amount OF
the funds availablesays,a after giving the
above total amount of S515,000 that not
more than so per cent of the S427, 900
cOllectible from taxation will be
actually received during the first
year. The remaining 20 per cent will
come in slowly as delinquent taxes.
The last legislature provided for
the issue of certificates of indebted
ness to be paid out the tax levy coming
due, in order to meet current expense.
The law reads. however, that no certlfi-
cate shall be issued to become due and
payable later than Nov. Is of the year
succeeding the one in which the esti-
mate is made. This cOmpels the pay
ment Of the whole amount for the cur
rent year not later than the above date.
The report also calls attention to the
fact that if the whole of the levy is ab-
Sorbed there will be deficiency of SS5.-
coo on Nov. l when the certificates ma
ture. The present delinquent taxes now
uncolectcd have been levied for specific
purposes, and cannot be otherwise ap
piled.
a discussion of the situation resulted
in decision to request the city council
to place at the disposal of the board for
general expenses the amount to be re-
allied from the half-mill tax con-
templated by law for school buildings.
On motion of Inspector Schetfer COM
Scheffer and President Baker was ap-
pointed to attend the council meeting
and preseut the matter there.
Inspector Auerbach then called atten-
ton to the approximate cost of main
tanning German in the schools on the
present plan of instruction. He stated
that to begin the teaching of German in
the grammar grade and cut it out of thet
primary grades would effect a saving Of
$4,000 annually, as nearly as could be
figured. Inspector Stamm had spoken
of the matter at the previous board
meeting as one involving perhaps $1,000.
Investigation showed that German cost
$4,000 last year. Of this amount $22.-
900 was paid in salaries to German
teachers, and the excess for opening
and equipment of German rooms III the
schools.
Inspector Scheffer called attention to
the fact that, as the expense of equip
ment had already been borne, the sSO,-
600 estimate was far in excess of what
the actual cost would be for the present
year. Il @ts
Tncnantor Raana nffared nc cuhcti
tute for all resolutions before the board,
a motion that German be discontinued
in the primary and grammar schools
and retained only in the high schools.
Keane Opposes the Study.
Addressing the board in explanation
Of his position, DR.. heane said;
Gentlemen, the position l take is an un-
pleasant one. In adopting it, however, 1 am
not guided by sentiment or policy. My can
did opinion is that we need first in the
schools sound education in English, and tnat
German instruction is a luxury; one that can
benefit the scholar but little unless he be
destined for scientific or literary career.
In very few cases will the knowledge of Ger
man gained in the public school be retained
through life in an English speaking country.
believe that the schools should be thor
teach the alien child the language of the
country of its adoption and urge the adoption
of the language of the country as the mother
tongue OF the scholar. BY teaching German
In the schools we are not only discriminating
against native children and in favor of aliens.
but we are perpetuating a sectional
feeling. the existence of which should
be deprecated and which should
certainly not be aided by the ad;
option Of a'foreign language in the school
for the benefit of any race. We are giving
to foreign children exclusively the German
taught in the schools, and thereby upholding
the principle of nationalism which may
prove disastrous. | offer the resolution be-
under the circumstances"
DR.. Stamm held that Prof. Keane,
while brilliant man, was wrong in re-
gard to this matter. He pointed Oul
that German was universal language tC
a large extent, and urged its value in
commercial life as a reason for its con
tinuance.
Inspector Bridgman addressing the
meeting said:
Rridgman FaVOrs the German.
do not believe statistics warrant the state
ment made by Mr. Auerbach that young
children cannot successfully study two Ian
guages at the same time. Superintendent
Peasee, of Cincinnati, Says, "a child can
study two languages at the same time and dc
as we'll in each as he would if all his time
were devoted to one language alone" and
think this expresses only part OF the truth
He can do better in each, since by constantly
transiating from one language into the Other
he more rapidly acquires knowledge OF
words and facility in their use.
For the best interests of the child, then, il
he simply desires 10 learn English. | would
recommend that he should study at the same
time French or German or Latin. As to the
claim that German is a luxury and therefore
should not be provided at public expense, ]
have simply to say that 1t is as much luxury
In the higher grades as in the lower; that all
higher education is luxury, and if 1t is
proper to tax the people that this may be fur
nished to a few through high schools and
universities, certainly there can be no valid
objection to our giving a taste of the advan
tages of liberal education to the great mass
of pupils who may never hope to enter these
higher institutions of learning.
But the study of German is not merely 6
luxury. AS a preparation for the active
duties of life and for the subsequent study OF
literature it certainly has great practical
value. There is danger, however, in these
days that we overestimate the practical
and commercial value of education. We
need to emphasize the fact that the object OF
education is not the acquisition of knowl
edge, but rather the acquisition of po oWer-
power to think, power to bring the mind tc
bear upon a given subject; and l hold tha
this result is as well accomplished through
the study of German as through the study Of
any other subject taught in our schools.
The claim made by some that there are a.
good reasons for teaching other foreign
languages as there are for teaching German
scarcely seems in these days to deserve seri
Gus attention anywhere, and certainly not II
this city.
1t is further urged that the teaching O.
German especially in the lower grades i'm
plies the neglect of the study of the ordinar.
branches Of an English education. but l d.
not believe this statement to be correct Dur
ing the past few weeks have visited mum
Der of our city schools, and am glad to b
able 10 say that am greatly pleased with tn
excellent work that is there being done. 81
Paul has good reason to be proud of he
schools, and it is greatly 10 her credit, an
greatly to her advantage also. that she nc
only makes ample provision for instruction
In the ordinary branches of an English edu
cation. but also for instruction in all tn
eoeneaoaaeeansoscsoacea
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