The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-07-15
MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD
STATE THEIR POSITION QUITE
POINTEDLY
IN THE LETTER TO THE MAYOR.
MR. DORIAN REFUSED To MAKE III
PUBLIC, But HERE 1T Is
ANYWAY.
SHOT AT COMPTROLIER NEARBY
President Zimmernnnn Gives the
Council Something to Think
About.

The mayor seen again yesterday
afternoon regarding the budget for
warded to him by the beard of school
inspectors stated that ne had neither
considered nor dEes ed the l. form atiOn
contained III the budget, and until he
| had done so would not care to make
the contents public. He thought, if he
could spare time from his duties, he
would take the matter up with him
! self this afternoon. Asked if it would
not be possible to get a look at the
| budget for the pU.DCse Of publishing
| sCIne of the facts, and particularly the
| letter which accompanied it from the
| president of the board, Mayor Doran
| said he thought not at the present time.
| 1t was stated by persons who ca med
| to know what they were talking about
that Mayor Doran was not at all
pleased at the letter sent by President
Zimmerman along with the budget
| The mayor, it is stated, has an idea
that it reflected on the administration,
! and for this reason has refused to give
out the letter. Some go so far as to
say that the reason the letter has not
been made public is that President
Zimmerman is being labored with to
withdraw the original communication
and replace it with another which
would be less offensive to the mayor
and Comptroller McCardy.
Below will be found the letter which
for some reasons the mayor has chosen
! to keep from the public. President
Zimmerman said the mayor was the
proper person to give out the letter,
and his honor simply refused to do so.
If there is any reflection on the mayor
or the administration in the letter the
public can judge for themselves, for
here it is:
St. Paul. Mimi, June so. 1S97.-Hon. F. B.
Doran, Mayor of st. Pau!-Dear Sir: In de-
filming the duties of the beard of school in
spectors our city charter provides that on the
first day of July of each year full and COM
prehensive report be made to the mayor of the
condition of the schools, showing the require
ments of the system and giving information
concerning the management of the same.
In compliance Herewith, we submit the fol-
lowing statement:
The school year of 1896 and 1897 witnessed
continuance of the rapid growth of the pre-
vious years. The average daily attendance
was 1S,0S9, and increase of 937 over the prior
year. The continual overcrowding of our
schools and the unusual complications which
problem which confronts the board at this
time. The lack Of funds for school mainte-
nance for the ensuing year will not allow the
erection OF new buildings, which appear al
most absolutely necessary to meet the require
ments of our constantly increasing school
population. This continual overcrowding is
seriously interfering with good results from
school work. We trust, however that the
present condition is of temporary nature and
that in the near future the requirements of
our school system snail be amply provided
Tor IN matters pertaining to financial sup
port. In the interim the board proposes to
rearrange the districts, the teachers and
! classes in order to accommodate, if possible
all pupils entitled to the benefits of our
schools. We must expect that this "omni-
bus system" will meet with some disfayor
but TO those who consider that they have
just cause for censure we can only say that
we desire a full and unbiased Investigation
OF the causes which have led to our present
financial condition.
This matter has been given a great deal
OF careful attention by each and every men,
Der of the board. The policy outlined the
recommendations made and requests asked
are hereby submitted after long and laborious
consideration of all questions that affect in
any way our educational system. There have
been given to the public, in various WAYS
during the past year. statements and fig
ures relating to the financial affairs of the
board, which, to a mild phrase have
been misleading. We do not mean to charge
the actions of parties so doing as being in
territorial perhaps these statements have been
he ms
tiers involved, or lack of knowledge of the
relative facts 1t is to make all matters clear
that we present herewith our recommended
tfons for your convenience and consideration.
FROM careful examination of this sub
Ject in all its details it Is evident that the
discrepancy in school funds has been caused
by the general reduction in the valuation oP
the asseSsable property in this civ without
making proper provisions for the mamie
nance OF our educational system. The nroner
i 10 AVOID our present difficulty would
nave oeen TO secure such legislation as would
permit the board to meet the conditions fair
ly, and honestly raise each wear tha nonav
needed for school purposes
me city cannot afford to take any backward
step In matters Of public education From n
business standpoint it would be a ruinous and
fatai policy; there should be no difference Of
OPINION between the public spirited, progress
slve and patriotic citizens as to the NECESSITY
of maintaining the public schools mon ny
highest and broadest plane NP'A 'Ae
AS partial remedy we consider that II is
not advisable to follow out the recommends
lions of the common council in relation To tba
construction of new buildings and ash IT.
the amount appropriated for that purpose he
applied to the school maintenance fund for the
ensuing year. We realize the seeming neces
sity and the logical arguments put forth bv
the members of the city council why this
should not be done, but the present stringent
necessity will permit of no other policy at
is a condition, not a theory, by which we are
confronted. Whether it is good Judgment
to build new school buildings when we have
but limited amount available for educational
purposes or try to preserve, SO far as posi-
Bile, our present system intact, and make the
school buildings habitable and fit for occu-
pancy. Many of the buildings at the present
time are in deplorable condition and greatly
in need Of repairs in order to preserve them:
therefore, in our judgment, it is poor policy
to consider the construction of ew buildings
at this time. Past economies of the board
and council make it imperative that relief be
afforded in this-that the buildings and prop
erty be not longer neglected.
In addition to the items submitted we de-
sire to request an additional amount of $25,-
apparent by the unsanitary condition of some
of our school buildings. The department of
health had occasion to close the Douglas
school for short period during the past year,
and have recommended that all schools hav-
ing the "Ruttan or dry closet system be con-
nected with the general sewer system, and