St. Paul daily globe., 1892-12-30
a HOT SESSION.
At Which kiehle Is Roasted, but
Finally IndOrse0.

yesterday afternoon was full of interest
throughout, and more spirited session
IN educational matters is but seldom
witnessed. 1t was generally believed
that something was going to happen at
this meeting from what had transpired
at the county superintendents' meeting
i'll the morning. and large gathering.
completely filling the hall, were pres
ent 10 hear the proceedings.
j. L. McCleary, president of the gen
eral association, occupied the chair, and
IL taxed his resources at times 10 keep
order, so anxious were number OF the
superntendentS to be heard.
The offering of resolution by Supt.
S. S. Parr. of st. Cloud, in which it was
resolved that the convention hereby eX-
press our confidence and satisfaction ill
the administration Of Hon. ID. l.. Kiehle.
superintendent of public institutions,
and our belief that his appointment by
Hon. Knute Nelson will not only be
gratifying to the teaching profession i'll
Minnesota. but conclusive TO the high
est welfare of the educational interests
Of the state-was the starting of the
tempest in the tea pot.
Supt. Lewis quickly arose ana said
that the people came here today for the
purpose of listening to the literary pro-
gramme and not to hear about a state
superintendent. He moved that the re-
solution be tabled.
Mr.. Shepherd did not deem it proper
to bring any such matter before the SeS-
sion. That it was out of the regular
order of business and ought not to be
entertained at that time. |. a. Van
Dixie was also opposed to any attention
being paid to such resolution at so i'll
oppOrtune time.
Prof. Woodward moved that vote be
taken expressing their preference for
state Superintendent. Supt. A. nj.
Sperry did not think Mr.. Nelson needed
any advice. He thought that resolu-
ton at this time was inevitable. and
hoped that it would prevail.
KieE,le's Record on Common
Schools.
Supt. Lewis was opposed to con-
tinuance of Supt. Ki chile for good rea-
sons. He thought his days of useful
ness had been numbered. 1t was well
known that every measure that was
tried to get passed by the legislature in
which Mr. Kiehle had anything to do
met with miserable failure. He said,
that in regard to the matter of granting
of certificates to common schools, his
lack of good Judgment was plainly
manifest. He was away from his office
most of the time, leaving the admins
tration of his Office III other hands. The
text book law had not been passed dur
ing his administration of office, and,
instead Of trying books which were well
established and popular, he ordered
those that did not meet the de-
mand of the schools of the state.
In whose interests were these books
introduced? The same books l could
have purchased from two to three cents
cheaper myself than the price given in
the contract The teachers throughout
the country are dead set against him
being continued longer iii office, and
any one who reads the country papers
might readily see how they stood in
regard to him. The farmers are nearly
all against him. and they all want man
who will pay some attention to thu
common schools in the state. Every
body knows that the common schools
have not received the attention they
deserve. 1t is plain to be seen why it
is so difficult matter to get an expires.
sion from those present. Any one OPP
posing him is marked man, and for
fear of losing their scalp they Will not
stand up and vote because their bread
and butter depends on it.
directly under the direction Of the state
superintendent and are not bound to
pass this resolution. Is this man TO be
considered an educational king? The
moment we make this political gath
ering Just so soon we begin to 90 down
hill. [ am against tile convention TAX
ing any action in the matter and believe
it ought to be left entirely to the gov
ernor, and / enter my protest against
the association considering it, although
| feel that it will be rushed through.
En Defense OF Kiehle.
Supt. l.. G.. Lord, OF MO0rhead, thought
this matter could not be lodged at this
time. 1t never has been a political af-
fair, and the teachers of the state should
express themselves. The talk of any
one being a marked man is all
bosh. There is nothing in that at all.
Never heard such talk before. He
believed Mr.. Kiehle had filled lis office
very satisfactorily. 81 an sincere in
upholding tine resolution. have heard
Mr.. Kiehle is one of the ableSt Supern-
tendents in the United States. He
never assumed to take any great credit
upon himself. And | cannot under
stand what the newspapers mean by
attacking him in the way they have.
We are not after anybody's scalp. AS
to his days being numbered, that is
probably so. All Of our days are num-
bered, even the hairs Of our heads"
Laughter.
President McJleary said: 81 may say
that feel like being marked man. |
can truthfully say that have not been
instrumental in pushing the candidacy
of any one. have personal prefer
ence, as any citizen is entitled to. L am
against Mr.. Kiehle for personal reasons
do not believe i'll his administration
1t seems to me that his bright energy
that marked him some years ago is leaV-
ing him. | believe that some duties of
his office have been slighted. A circular
that had prepared and sent out to the
teachers for their answer has been mis-
interpreted. [ dislike to bring the mat
ter before you, but it seems necessary.
Mr.. Nelson is q warm friend of mine,
and before the appointment IS made he
might ask nv opinion, III fact he has
already asked it. That circular |
sent out called for the maine and
address of every teacher so that we
might know their feeling. The circular
was most carefully prepared, and no one
could charge me with having any pur-
pose for or against him. 1t was neces-
Sary Tor me 10 get tlllS lllIOfIDdGIOH W
base conclusion, and upon 1T | was
prepared to express an opinion fairly
and sqnarely He has not been as loyal
to me as to him. He started out all
right, and when found that his manner
had changed it hurt me, and l felt
wounded | feel that it is my duty to
speak to you in this wav, because |
value your opinions. 1t seems to me
that there has been letting down of
our chief and cannot uphold his reap
pDintment. AS to the result Of the all
swers | received to the circulars sent
nuF. waGl,i say that tlereWero more in
lavor q. Mr.. kiehle than against him."
Vat . ore endorsement.
Pr, s. e. nj MAnkato. believed III
he abil;tyof his superior oticer aud in