The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-06-11
FEofLE OF THE CLEVELAND DIS
TRIGT WANT A AaIGH SCHOOL
THERE.
PROTEST AGAINST CLOSING
WILL BE SUBMITTED AT THE NEXT
MEETING OF THE
BOARD
Van Buren, Union Considers the Adj
visibility of a Systematic Course
I'm Such Instruction.

There is a steady and very emphatic
feeling of indignation in the vicinity
of the Cleveland high school over the
proposed consolidation of the high
schools of the city for the purpose Of
retrenchment.
There are now 161 pupils in the Cleve-
land high school. If the school is con-
sol1dated with the Central high school
1t will be consolidation in name only,
for it is believed that not more than
II or 10 per cent of the pupils will ever
travel three miles to attend the Cen
trail building.
This was the sentiment of the st.
Paul High School union for the Cleve-
land district, as expressed at last even
| 1ngs meeting. The bad weather pre-
vented the meeting from being largely
attended, but those who were there eX-
pressed themselves very forcibly on the
matter, and will not tolerate the idea
| of consolidation for a moment. They
say the Cleveland high school is not in
any sense of the word a branch high
school. 1t has passed the standard re-
CURED by law, and has been recognized
by the state department of public in
struction as a legal high school, and is
now under the jurisdiction of the state,
which pays the school an annual ap-
portionment. The closing of the Cleve-
land high school would not result in any
material saving to the board. The peo-
pie are thoroughly awake to the neces-
sity Of united action, and adjourned
subject to the call of the president. In
the absence of President H. w. Phil
lips, who is i'll, Prof. S. A. Farnsworth
presided.
Prof. Schmidt, of the Lutheran col
lege, spoke at some length upon the
matter. He said that it would be far
wiser to close all Of the schools
month earlier than to close any one Of
them for long period. Prof. Schmidt
believes that the Cleveland high school
is an absolute necessity. He compared
the school system of the United States
with that of Germany. In the latter
country there was little sympathy in
the homes with the schools, the latter
being purely state concerns, and in
which the people had little voice. But
in the United States, Prof. Schmidt
said, he had been astonished to find the
interest in every home in the great
public school system. He believed that
if this interest was aroused to a still
greater extent that the people would
be enabled to correct many threaten
ing evils.
William 9Grfggs said that7he believed
that If the city should sell the $3.50, 900
school certificates Of Indebtedness, the
payment Of which is worrying the
board, that sum could be saved to con-
duct the schools without interruption.
Mr.. Griggs said that there were hun
dreds of people would be glad to buy
up the certificates. 1t would become
a great popular loan. 1t was ex-
planned to Mr.. Griggs that it would re-
Quire legislation to do that. and that
there was not sufficient time to pass
the necessary ordinances. The GER
tificateS must be paid soon.
Mrs Powers, secretary Of the Cen
trail union, spoke upon the objects of
the local unions and expressed the
hope that next fall there would be a
vigorous campaign in behalf Of the
public schools of the city.
e. B. Woodman outlined the work
done in other cities, principally in
Brookline, Mass.
Mr.. Stuart said that he had a talk
with the mayor, and that the latter
had indicated his desire to keep all
the schools open If possible. Mr. Stu
art thought 1T wiser to close the Me-
chanic Arts school, If necessary, but to
continue the high schools
The members present agreed to work
hard in the hope of maintaining the
Cleveland high school.