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

AT last the board of school inspec-
tors has taken action upon the difficult
problem that has been before it for so
many weeks; and 1t Is to be compli-
mented and congratulated upon solv-
ing it, at least temporarily, in such a
way as will preserve the integrity Of
our educational system and do least
harm to the public schools of the city.
At it's meeting yesterday the action
already taken looking toward the clos
ing Of the branch high schools and the
Mechanic Arts school was reconsider
ed; the list Of teachers and other en-
ployes was gone over in detail, and
salaries were reduced wherever it was
deemed possible, and such other econ
omies were effected as will. in the
Judgment of the board, enable the
schools to be maintained for the usual
term. 1t rests only with the coun-
Gil to provide the necessary funds, and
the difficulty is tided over for the pres
ent. Before it returns to plague us,
new charter will unite the hands Of
the people and permit them not only
to take care Of their schools, but to
effect those other reforms which have
fingered so long under the ban OF
hostile legislation.
1t will not be pretended that the
changes that have been made can do
no harm The closing Of two small
schools is undesirable. The reduction
OF salaries will probably cost us the
services Of some instructors whom we
can lily spare and are 10th to lose. But
we can at least offer to all the teach
ers an appeal to which we believe that
they will respond with the splendid
loyalty that they have always shown
to the interests Of st. Paul. These
measures are but for the time being,
the consequence of a charter limit to
taxation accompanying reduction in
the assessed valuation for tax purposes.
By another year this defect will be
remedied. The people will then have
their government in their own hands,
and can provide adequately for all their
needs. In the meantime, all who are
identified with our system Of public
education, all those who have aided
in bringing it to the high standard Of
which we are justly proud, and which
has made the schools of st. Paul IA
nous the country over, should, and,
we believe, will accept whatever sacri-
flee they must make for the sake Of
the cause. The schools have been
saved from disorder and disintegration,
and our magnificent system will not
be either overthrown or impaired.
The least that the council can now
tons made by the board. The long dis
cussion of this subject should come to
an end. 1t had it's origin mostly in the
assaults Of ignorant men connected with
the city government, who knew moth
ing Of what they proposed to do and
cared less. 1t has done infinite harm to
the city among outside people, who
did not understand the cause of the
eral financial difficulties that do not
exist. Now let US have an end to it,
by the adoption Of the plan proposed,
even though it is not by any means in
all it's details what the G o b would
have been glad to see We deplore the
reduction Of salaries of faithful and
underpaid teachers; but in this emer-
gency it behooves all who have the
interests of the city at heart to lay
aside their differences and accept a
practical solution that will leave the
school system in it's entirety until it
can be taken care Of as it should. We
are proud OF the people of ST. Paul,
who have come to the rescue so nobly,
and formed and expressed a public
opinion so strong and imperious that
it could not be defied. We are proud
of those members of the school board
who have fought their way to the per-
Torrance of duty, regardless of politi-
cal pressure and stupid criticism and
clamor The schools are to be saved
Let that salvation be wrought out
without any more of that public dis
cussion of which we have already had
too much for the best interests of ST
Pa1l1