The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-10-31
THE CALCIUM LIGHT is THROWN ON
THE RETIRING SCHOOL SUPER
INTENDENT.
HIGH TRIBUTES WERE PAID
TO PROF. CHARLES Ii. GILBERT BY
EDUCATORS AND OTHER CITI-
ZENS.
HE FAREWELL RECEPTION
Central High School Assembly
Hall.

Superintendent of Schools Charles
i B. Gilbert babe farewell to the citi-
zens of ST. Paul last night The occa-
sion will prove memorable one, mem
4 orable not alone for the profound re-
greet that attended the parting, but
never to be forgotten by those to
whom Supt. Gilbert addressed his
parting words. They were earnest, no.
BILE words, every one of them an APP
peal for the public schools of this
city.
Your schools are In DANGER" was
the warning. There are those in
high places who stand in their way,
because they do not believe in broad
education of your children. Look to
them, l say. See that they keep their
hands off the schools See that they
do not cut down the salaries of your
underpafd teachers. Rouse public SEN
t1ment, that 1t may go to the rescue
OF the schools; for public sentiment
is the only power that can elevate
your schools!''
Supt. Gilberts earnest words created
deep impression
The formal programme of the sue
ceed1ng farewell reception took place
IN the Central high school assembly
nall. Nearly every seat was occupied,
though the ladies were in the majority,
as they invariably are when the schools
are concerned, there was a liberal at
tendance of we'll known professional
and business men. The board of school
inspectors was represented by four
members, DR.. E. ]. Abbott, the presi-
dent, and Inspectors Wilkes, May and
Yoerg. The other three were unavoid-
ably absent.
The formal programme opened short
iy before p. m. When Supt Gilbert
assembled the stage, preceded by Presi-
dent Abbott, Of the school board. ex-
Scnool Inspector J. G. Pyle and Ken
meth Clark, hearty outburst of ap-
pause greeted him. The other mem
berS Of the school board followed and
after them, Prof. George Weitbrecht
OF the mechanic arts school. DR.. George
Brldgman, of Hamline university: Miss
Sarah C.+Brooks, supervisor of the pr
mary grades, and President Irwin
shepard, OF the Winona Normal school
Dr. Bridgman presided
BEFORE presenting the first speaker
Dr. Brldgman paid brief tribute TO
Supt. Gilbert. He said that Minnesota.
mad been singularly fortunate in Sc
curing the right men to develop her
educational system. The state could
1eel justly proud of her three illustri-
Gus educators: Cyrus Northrop, the
model university president; Irwin
Shepard, the normal school president.
and Charles B. Gilbert, the retiring
superintendent Of the ST. Paul schools.
In Supt. Gilbert the city of ST. Paul
had had man of rare scholarship. su-
perior educational talents and unusual
executive ability.
1T won't harm him to tell him to
his face how much we think of him.
how highly we appreciate the educa-
tional work he has done in this city,
and how deeply we regret his depart
ure,' said DR.. Bridgman Il believe
in bestowing flowers upon a worthy
man while he lives and can enjoy them
Instead of Strewing them on his coffin"
DR.. Bridgman then announced that
Prof. Weitbrecht would speak Of the
influence of Supt. Gilberts work in
the high school.
Prof Weitbrecht said that there
were three things or methods that dis
tinguished Supt. Gilbert's achieve
ments in the high school. The first of
these methods was the Laboratory
method and in the laboratory
method" were included such aids to
education as libraries, pictures. deco
ratiOns and other means of providing
the pupils with practical means Of in
struction. 1t was true that Supt Gill
bert had not invented the laboratory
of education to secure the means Of
providing the necessary materials to
work with. To-day he said, when
we tell the board of education that
thing is necessary we get it. Every
where I go I find that the ST. Paul high
school Is famous for its library and
laboratory"
Prof Weitbrecht said that the sec
ond great method was the system of
marking adopted by Supt Gilbert.
Under the former system a student
could remain idle during the term. and
yet by means of a clever coach. he
could secure a high enough mark to
be promoted. But under the present
system the students promotion de-
pended upon the judgment Of the
teacher
The third great thing that charac-
terized Supt. Gilbert's government.
continued Prof. Weitbrecht, was his
method Of discipline employed. The
great rule adopted was that every girl
and boy in the school should behave
like a lady or gentleman. Thus the
pupils were placed upon their honor,
and their teachers at once put conf
dence in them. This trust in students
and this trust in teachers was the out
growth of this beautiful system.
In conclusion Prof Weitbrecht paid
an earnest tribute to the personal char
acter of Supt Gilbert.
On behalf of the alumni of the high
school, Mrs. Condo Hamlin bore teSti-
mony to the beneficial effects of the
methods introduced by Prof. Gilbert.
Mrs. Han1lin said that not student
passed through the high school with
out feeling that Supt Gilbert was his
personal FRIEND All the alumni of the
high school, Mrs. Hamlin said. felt a
sense of gratitude to Prof Gilbert
The ST. Paul alumni should always
stand behind the high school, They
should exert more positive and uni
fled influence. 1t would not be too
much to ask that the alumni be repre-
sented on the board of education In
behalf of the alumni Mrs Hamlin ex-
tended to Supt. Gilbert their best
wishes for his future.
The programme was varied at this