The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-07-07

r
ther Action Until the Council
Shall Have Passed ON the Budget
Submitted Last Week-It Is De.
cided Not to Adopt the Natural
Music Readers.
After listening to the arguments of
the committee of citizens on the ques-
ton of maintaining the Mechanic Arts
high school in it's entirety, during the
next school year, the board of school
inspectors yesterday decided to post
pone action on the matter until the
council should have made the appro-
priation for the next year.
Inspector Franklin suggested that the
committee, II they were anxious to as
sist the board out of the dilemma, go
before the council and present the mat
ter. The committee also thought quite
favorably of the plan, and it is not i'm
probable that some way out Of the diff
fculty may yet be suggested.
In opening, President Zimmerman
stated that there was a little less than
$410, 900 in sight for the schools next
year, and the budget asked for 1851, 200.
Oliver Crosby presented the plan of
the citizens to meet the deficiency to
run the schools during the year as long
as the money held out and then close
them. The legislature would be in seq
sion next spring and relief could prob
ably be had at it's hands The general
belief was that the curtailment of the
curriculum of the Mechanic Arts school
would not effect a sufficient saving to
meet the deficiency in the appropria-
ton. The children in the public schools
were increasing annua ly ard the school
appropriation was being decreased, and
the teachers salaries had been cut to
meet the shortage. Mr.. Crosby Thought
If 1t was publicly announced some time
In the spring that the schools could
no longer be kept open that the citi-
Gems could go before the legislature in
force and secure legislative enactment
providing for an additional tax levy.
President Zimmerman stated that
such a measure was tried once before
and that Representative E. E. Nc
Donald was the only member of the
Ramsey county delegation who would
introduce q measure which would in
crease the tax levy.
Mr.. Mcdonald was also present, as
member of the committee, and he
stated that the measure was vigorous
ly opposed by business men" whose
demands could not be disregarded An
increase in the tax levy was not a
popular proposition with many people.
Inspector Corning thought that the
matter of finance was not the only
question which was involved in the
proposal to consolidate the two schools
There was an urgent need of more SIT
things in the Seventh and Eighth wards
for the graded schools In several cases
the board had rented detached build
.ngs, and in other instances only half
days schooling was given each pupil
on account OF the crowded condition Of
nearly all the uptown graded schools.
These were extreme cases, and for the
most part the board had been able thus
TAR to take care of all the pupils. By
the consolidation Of the Mechanic Arts
and CenteraI high schools, about half
Of the rooms could be used for the
graded schools. The Maxfieid
school and several others would
have to secure additional room
and sittings next year. Mr.. Corning
stated that he cherished no antfpathy
towards the school. but the proposition
being considered was one Of expediency.
Mr.. Stickney thought that the d.
vorcement of the two departments of
the school would result IN q demoraiiza-
ton Of the school work. 1t was an es-
tablished fact among educators that
the higher the class Of instruction i'm
parted at a school the easier It was to
break UP the work, and corresponding
ly difficult to again establish 1t at IT'S
former efficiency.
Mr.. Corning saw no reason why a