St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-06-07
CARMAN SUSTAINED.
The School Board Gives Supt.
Gilbert a DiscolOred
Optic.
A Warm Session in Summing
Up the Testimony Ad-
duced.
Principal Carman's Warm
Plea in His Own De-
Tense.
Finally the Board Formulates
a Practical Ac-
quittal.

Last nights session OF Ine ScHool
! board was especially interesting, and II
concluded with the formulation OF
compromise. Two years ago the
methods of conduct of the high school
were radically amended. Principal
Carman was given more extensive latl
tude. In order to make this possible
| the committee on high and manual
training schools was conceived. Ihls
was when the high school and the man
ual training school were consolidated
under the regime of Principal Carman
whose compensation was at that time
increased from $4,000 to $4,000 year.
All readers of the GLOBE have been
| furnished with graphic portrayal OF
the imbroglio that has been exciting the
board and has provoked the star cham
| Der sessions.
Mr.. Carman was called before the
board soon after the session was calleu
to order by President Smith. He made
a concise and logical statement of his
case. He had been held responsible for
lack of harmony, for ques-
tionable moral atmosphere that is
alleged to pervade the classic
| precincts of the high school. He an
swered every question that was asked
| BIN bv the members of the board. Had
there been overt acts on the part OF
the pupils. hardness that could not
be recOnciled with reasonable 90.
servance of the common code OF
scholastic discipline? In fact. the
ethics of educational PRONUNCIATION ana
all matters of policy, as well as mar.
mony, were traversed III the course OF
the inqulsition last night? MI. Carman
maintained that he enthusiastically
prove that the high school faculty IN
yestigated the moral condition OF the
school recently. and that the report was
to the effect that the morals OF the lnstl-
tulion were good.
He presented a written statement to
refute the representations that nave
been made with reference to his admin
istration, but he does not care TO puOllsn
the same under the circumstances. But
he rehearsed the history OF the difncul-
ties that have brought about the con-
troyersy, and this was appended TO a
statement of facts. He said that he mad
found that the faculty and the pupils
were above the ordinary moral stand
ard. Teachers were enthusiastic Ill
tnelr Work, anu pupIlo "olO oooSi'i'N'
studiouS and respectful.
When the principal retired from the
room the board took up the issue and
EXPRESSED a determination to arrive at
positive conclusions at that sitting.
Each member seemed to be tired Of the
Wrangle.
Inspector Willrich made speech in
general tone. He held that the report
of the superintendent had been partially
sustained, at least. 1t was question.
however, howe far the board should
90 in the premises. He felt Ger
tain that it had been shown
that certain lack of harmony
actually existed in the school, but he
admitted that he had do1bt as to a
specific finding. This was followed by
some talk about the advlsability of
Carman's resigning pending a compile
ton of the investigation, Or finding
bv the board. The idea found little
favor, and the solution of the problem
was taken up with earnest determine
ton. Speech followed speech. Each
member of the board felt it incumbent
upon himself to explain his Idea OF the
trouble.
Inspector McGill made very con-
servative address. He said that he had
listened to Mr.. Carman'S testlnny with
surprise. 1t had left better impress
sion upon his mind of the principals
methods. His candOr and frankness
were potent factors in influencing
the ex-governor to the belief that
Mr.. Carman is especially lifted
for the tasks that are required
of him. This was offered with the
qualification that the speaker was never
RI tho r1rinnlnQl He
conceded with MIR. Wlllrich that some
of the charges that had been made by
Mr.. Gilbert had been partially sustained
by the evidence, but eXpediency should
cut no little figure in determining the
cause.
Inspector O'Brien spoke at some
length upon the manifest lack of proper
discipline and of the friction or lack Of
harmony that seemed to exist. He
seemed to be disposed to the IDEA that a
change would be efficacious. He could
not conceive how the principal
and the superintendent could
both continue their respective du-
ties, and this brought out a
very logical and eloquent defence of
Mr.. Carman by DR.. Smith. He said
that ne esteemed the principal eXcep
tionally efficient and above the ordinary
principal, and he secuted all illusions
to a lack of morals in the school. That
while there is evidently less harmony
than should exist, MIR. Smith did not
believe that Mr.. Carman was response
BILE for the condition. He said
that this is the third report
that Mr.. Gilbert has presented con-
corning Mr.. Carman's administration,
and that this is the first time that these
charges have been incorporated in these
reports. Still the charges date back to
| incidents and episodes OF a year and a
half and more ago. Mr.. Smith main
| tanned that all this was wrong. The
| charges were filed without even con-
sulting or notifying the principal, and
| the doctor intimated that there was
something wrong in this.
DR.. Stamm ridiculed the fallacious
| idea that perfect absence of friction is
| proof of the efficiency of the school. He
contended in forceful language that con-
rentions are often healthy. Finally DR..
Smith and Inspector O'Brien were APP
pointed a committee to draft report.
| Mi. U'BrieD was the first to
report, and then DR.. Smith
| came forward with his thoughts
framed. The latter was thought pref
| cradle, and the committee OF the whole
| decided to report the same to the board.
! At this interesting juncture the report
erS were admitted, and the board
| adopted the Smith report and ad-
| journed. A regular meeting is to be
held this afternoon, but 1t is agreed that
an adjournment shall be had at that time
until 5 o'clock Saturday afternoon, be-
| cause Of the Hill celebration.
The report stated that the committee
of the whole had, after protracted and
careful consideration of the report OF
the superintendent concerning the lack
of discipline, the want of harmony and
the questionable moral condition of the
high school, that:
1--WE find that while the report is par
TALLY sustained by the evidence, we are
still convinced that the school is in {
| sound condition morally and education