The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-09-13
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
ENROLMENT INDICATES AN IN
CREASED ATTENDANCE DUR
ING THIS YEAR
TALK TO THE PRINCIPALS

Supt. smith Addresses the Heads of
the Various Institutions on u
Large Number of DetaiIs-AbOIi-
ton of boundaries of Branch
High Schools Had Little If Any
Efrect-Yesterday's Registration.
The Skinny stick went into the coal
bin yesterday for good. and Master
| Willie went to school. The small boy,
and possibly his older brother, has
! been suppressed and there is joy, es-
pecially in those localities where they
are most prolific. The forty-four gram
mar schools and four high schools Of
the local educational system opened
tnelr doors upon another school year
Reports from the principals Of nearly
all the grammar schools and high
! schools made at the superintendent
c1iice yesterday afternoon indicate that
the attendance at the city schools will
reach 10000 before the end of the pres
ent week, which will be the largest ever
recorded for the first week. Principal
Bryant has enrolled 600 pupils at the
Central high school and has applica-
lions from $50 more, whom he will en-
roll today. He expects the total at
tendance at the close of the first week
of these are graduates from the gram
mar schools who are entitled to admis-
sion to the high school by reason of
their completing successfully the grad
ed school course.
The action of the board of education
at it's last meeting in abolishing the
boundaries of the branch high school
districts has from all reports had little
effect upon the attendance at those
schools. Prof. Baker of the Humboldt
high school, enrolled seventy for the
high school course yesterday and the
attendance at the opening of the grad
ed school department quite exceeded
his expectations.
Principal FarnSWOrth enrolled at his
school a total of 1000 pupils, about 14O
Of whom entered the high school de-
partment. He states that a greater
number than usual entered the school
this year from the grammar school, al
though large percentage of his fresh
man and sophomore classes re-entered
the school yesterday.
The Mechanic Arts school, whose pop
ularity has been given practical evil
dence on more than one occasion,
enrolled it's share of scholars yester-
day. Prof. Weitbrecht reports the atten-
dance yesterday to be about $50 with
many more to be admitted today. The
total attendance at the school will. in
all PROBABILITY, De IN the nelSnDOfnOOQ
Of 300 this week.
At the close Of school the principals
assembled in the high school building
and received instructions from Supt.
Smith on q large number of matters
Of detail. Supt. Smith appointed
committee Of three to draft suitable
resolutions upon the death Of Gen.
George G. Smith, late principal Of
Madison school, to be presented at the
7Oriy Of G. he f.
tee consists of Miss Taylor and Prof.
J. D. Bond, of Madison school, and
Prof. J. G.. Donnelly, of German school.
The committee will also draft a brief
sketch of the life of Gen. Smith to be
read in connection with the resolutions.
Supt. Smith suggested that a short
story of his life be told in all the
schools throughout the city.
Supt. Smith stated that all old books
could be exchanged at the book stores
for the authorized text books. He
urged a strict adherence to the text
books authorized by the board, but
favored large number of supplement
tary books. These, however, must new
er take the place Of the authorized
| text. The principals were requested to
defer the purchase of music readers
until advised otherwise.
In brief address having to do with
the various branches to be taught in
the schools this year, Supt.
Smith spoke particularly of the
rudimental branches of instruc-
ton, among which the most essen
tial were spelling, arithmetic, geogra-
ply and United States history. Supt.
Smith made no recommendation as to
what grades the authorized spelling
book should be used in. but said that
pupils of all grades should be instruct
ed in spelling of such words as are
used in everyday conversation, and
the text books adopted for their re-
spective grades.
You see," said the superintendent,
Il am not welded to the speller, but
am a strong advocate of spelling"
Mr.. Smith further stated, while he
was earnest in his efforts to further
all suggestions made by him to the
teachers, he would never be arbitrary
during his tenure of Office. He would
always try and meet their views on
matters which concerned the good of
the schools. He stated that assign
ments of teachers would be made upon
the recommendation Of the principals
only, and all applications should be
made through the head of the schools.
Supt. Smith asserted that he intended
to visit the schools frequently during
the next year, and requested principals
to prepare programme Of exercises
and submit it to the board.
Principals were requested to make
out a requisition for supplies for one
year. Secretary Healey requested that
all principals submit the pay rolls to
their teachers to see that there was
no mistake in salaries, as the increase
was liable to occasion some confusion
on pay day, unless some such precau-
ton was taken.