The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-02-28

was largely due to the large territory.
To maintain the average Of forty-five
pupils per teacher it was necessary to
oVercrOwd some of the more central
schools, while in the outlying districts
there were sometimes less than twenty
pupils per teacher. This was one OF
the evils OF the large territory. He re-
lated the fact that he had tried upon
one occasion to find the Mcclellan
school, which he said sis located some
where out near Saltwater" He was in
his buggy, but failed to find the build
ing on his first attempt
Inc committee, too, recognized this
difficulty, but there was some discus
sion as to the best method of reducing
the expense of maintaining the schools
by reducing the salaries of teachers.
territorial difficulties could not now be
gone over, but salaries could be cut.
Ihere were no remarks of disapproval
IN this part of the discussion.
In regard to the two and one-half
mill tax for school purposes, Col. Lang
ford said that he had talked with g
n. Bell, father of the charter under
which the city now operates, and it
was Mr.. Bells opinion that the present
tax was adequate to properly care for
the schools. Col. Clough said that there
was misunderstanding as to the uses
OF this tax. Under the old valuation
the tax was considered large enough
to provide not only for the schools but
for building purposes also. But all
OF the fund derived from the two and
one-half mill levy can be applied to
school maintenance" said Col ClOugn
and to me 1t seems to be large enough
at this time. I am in favor Of paving
salaries sufficient to secure the best
teachers, but If we haven't the money,
then we must do the best we can
SOL fhof
yet possible to lower the assessment Of
the city. 1t should be done. Then
the rate of taxation could be raised and
still the proper amount for school pur-
poses obtained. THE advantage to be
gained by increasing the tax rate is
that it awakens the people to the
necessities Of the times and secures
the economical administration of the
city's affair in all departments I ann
free to say that, in this particular
instance. if the school board had been
less haSty in introducing a measure
in the legislature asking for an in
creased levy, and requested the CO.
operation Of this body there would
have been more harmony of action
But after all, this does not mean that
we should have been more willing to
grant their request in this particular +"
Mr.. Abbott had an idea that by
changing the title of the bill now be-
fore the senate, so as to increase the
apportionment for school purposes,
without increasing the amount to be
raised, and requiring the other depart
ments Of the city to contribute to the
amount needed for the support of
schools, the present difficulty might be
ObViated.
Col. Clough declared that the only
way was to discuss the matter more full
iy and obtain from the school board ad-
ditional facts as to the present expen-
ditures Of that body and to see If re-
trenchments could not be made. There
is no haste about this matter" he
said. st. Paul will have a bill to in
troduce later and we can provide for
the schools In that bill without mix
ing up any other city or it's needs"
MT. Cochran said that he had been
advised that the School Teachers as
ISOLATION of the city would be glad to
submit some suggestions to the cham
Der on this question. and it was the
sense Of the meeting that these figures
be furnished
Altogether. without definite express
sion on the subject the committee were
OF the opinion that the school board
had been hastv in giving expression
| to the future Of the schools. If the adj
| d1flonal tax. a S provided in the senate
bill. Is not forthcoming. and the further
| impression was gained that the school
| board fiy-wheel needs a balance and
| the chamber OF commerce is disposed
to furnish it. along with any thing else
| that may be needed