The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-06-30

board in some way find money to build
the school.
Ben ]. Knauft thought If necessary
the branch high schools should be done
away with and those attending the
graded schools be given chance to get
an education.
H. l.. Gray delivered an interesting
speech, in which he stated that there
were less delinquent taxes owing in the
Second ward than any other ward in
the city. The Eighth ward citizens,
headed by Assemblyman Johnson, had
called on the board in a body and de-
manded new school building, and
the result was that the ward now had
a new school, The Second ward did not
make any demands that it was not ell
titled to.
After the delegation had withdrawn
the board got down to work. and until
6 o'clock informally considered the re-
ductiOn of teachers salaries.
Inspector Scholle, as soon as the
Second warders had retired, suggested
that the board go into executive ses-
sion. This was voted down and on
motion of Mr.. Scholle the board pro-
ceeded to the work in hand. 1t was
decided to take up the salaries OF
teachers, commencing with the high
school, and fix the salaries Of each.
This was done. with the result that
a saving of $50 was made, as here
tOfOre shown. A part Of this saving
was made by the dropping Of one
teacher and the resignation of another.
The Mechanic Arts staff was then
gone through and 5000 taken off the
salaries. The salaries of the principals
of the Humboldt and Cleveland high
schools were reduced 5000 each, but
no cut was made in the salaries Of
the other teachers. The grade teachers
receiving salaries between $500 and
81 900, were reduced 10 per cent without
any discussion. Principals OF schools
receiving $500 were cut to 81 500, there
being seven Of this class. Eight teach
ers now paid 81, 800 had 800 Topped off
their salaries. Eight teachers now
paid 81, $50 were reduced to $1,000. Two
teachers receiving $1,10O were reduced
to $1,000. Two teachers receiving $1,000
each and one getting 5000, were passed
without a reduction. Several minutes
were spent in figuring, and the an
nOuncement was made that $780, $50 had
been saved by the reductions thus far
made. Inspector SchOlle then brought
up the question of the salaries Of the
engineers and janitors and insisted
that the engineers getting $75 be re-
duced to sos per month, and that a
slice be taken from the salaries of the
jan1tOrs whei ever possible. E. 0.
Zimmerman was of the opinion that
the engineers and janitors should not
be touched so far as salaries was con-
Cerned. Inspector Scholie said he
would not agree to have the salaries
Of the women reduced unless the men
were given the same treatment Ac-
cOrding to Mr.. SchOlle 81, 290 could be
saved by a slight reduction in the
salaries Of engineers and janitors.
After considerable discussion the sug-
gestiOn of Mr.. Scholle was agreed to
and $1,29O taken from the engineers
and janitors. The reduction affected
six of the former and nine of the
latter
By this time it was o'clock and the
suggestion was made that an adjourn
ment be taken for supper. This was
opposed by Messrs. Scholle and Wilkes
but the others insisted and decided to
meet again at 7:30 and remain in SEES
sion until the budget was prepared
and approved, if it took all night.
Promptly at 1870 the board was called
to order. 1t was decided to discontinue
the Tildcn and Mattocks schools, as the
attendance hardly paid for the amount
expended for salaries of the teachers,
JanitOrs and incidental expenses
The question Of having the teachers
in the high school teach six instead OF
five hours each day was discussed The
argument advanced was that by adopt
ing the plan three more teachers could
be done away with, and at least $4,000
additional saved. No action, however.
was taken in the matter.
The board discussed at length the adj
visibility of sending to the mayor two
budgets. Mr.. Scholle wanted one sent
in showing the present salaries, an
other showing the reduction as propos-
ed. E. o. Zimmerman said a third
showing the cost of running the
schools with the branch high schools
consolidated would be proper thing
This worked up Inspector Wilkes, who
said he wanted to do the best for the
school children in the entire city with
out regard to where they lived In
spector McNair was inclined to think
the cuts made in the salaries of grade
teachers was too much. Inspector
Yoerg thought the Seventh ward IN
spectOr was opposed to the budget as
informally made out simply because
he favored the branch high schools be
ing closed. Mr.. McNair denied this.
Mr.. Wilkes said, if there was to be any
appeal made to the dinner pail brigade
for political effect, he would favor the
shutting up of the Central high school
The board then drifted into COM
parative statement as to the figures
and amounts allowed last year by the
council ana the amounts winch the
board would have to be allowed this
year. Superintendent Of Repairs Ger
Zach informed the board that it would
take at least $4,000 to place the sew
eral buildings in good repair and con-
ditiOn. He called attention to the re-
ports of the health department as to
the unSanitary condition of a number
Of the buildings and claimed if these
were to be replaced by improved plumb
ing the amount he mentioned would
not be anywhere near enough. E. O.
Zimmerman advanced the opinion that
the council would have to pay for this
work, as the school buildings belonged
to the city, and were as much public
property as the market house, engine
houses or police stations.
There was a long wrangle as to
whether the budget should not be re-
Guced from the amount agreed upon,
$420,000. 1t was finally agreed that
this should be the amount included in
the budget and then the question came
as to the reconsideration of the vote
by which the board decided to consoli-
date the Mechanic Arts, Humboldt and
Cleveland high schools. President u m
hermann ruled that as Inspector May
had offered the resolution the motion to
reconsider should come from him, Or
it would not be recognized by the chair
Mr.. May at once moved to reconsider
and all Of the members of the board
voted so to do. The resolution was then
brought up and unanimously voted
down. A motion to approve the bud
was made and adopted by a vote Of
70 yCtA i,exE H.