The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-04-17

necessary on the board, and he built,
not one, but two schools, theVan Buren,
and the Sibley.
His capacity and business experience
made him a leader on the board, and
his liberal ideas also made him take
position that required courage. 1t was
represented to him that there was a
very considerable number of colored
people In the population Of ST. Paul,
and that the race ought to be included
among the list Of teachers. He saw it
that way and proceeded to remedy the
wrong. There was determined opposi-
ton, but the doctor had right on his
side and he won the fight, which result
ed in the appointment Of the Misses
FNarr. 1t was not a matter that he was
interested in personally. 1t was mat
ter of principle, Of right and wrong,
and he made the opposition feel the
strength Of his personality
That record of his on the school board
Is about the only thing that could touch
the voters in the First ward now, but
they will most assuredly show their
confidence in the man they elected in
the hour of educational need His
other public service was on the park
board.
His Gift to Como Park.
When the board for the care and
preservation of the park property Of
st. Paul was organized by act Of the
legislature, the members were appoint
ed by the act. DR.. Schiffmann was
among those appointed. The parks
and Pathways at that time were in a
condition but little removed from that
In which nature left them. They are
now famed throughout the United
States, at least, for their beauties.
This fame Is due quite as much to the
work of redemption and Improvement
performed by the board as to nature
Or. Schifmann was an enthusiast in
the work and, steadying his enthusi-
asm by applying it to business, he and
the other members of the board evolved
practically the present plan of the park
system.
That work alone should endear Dr.
Schiffmann to the people of st. Paul
1t was a labor Of love with him, but
he went at it as a man would who had
business proposition before him.
His work in behalf Of the parks did
time to the people. Nor did it cease
with his retirement from the board.
The principal artificial establishment
Of the principal park Is the beautiful
fountain at the entrance to Como
park. It was the gift to the city of
DIR. Schiffmann, and the method Of his
giving it was proof OF the fact that, al
though the doctor is q great traveller,
bis thoughts have always been at
home.
He was one day driving through a
fanlously beautiful park in Lisbon, Por-
tugal. when his attention was attract
ed by remarkably fine fountain. He
ADMIRED the construction as a work
or art, and was so far interested that
he made some inquiry about the de-
stgner. He went to the park and look
ed at IT again. It occurred to the doc
tor that there was a vacant space in
the plaza at the entrance to Como
that should be filled with a fountain.
Without further thought he took the
name of the designer of the fountain,
and when he arrived in Paris found the
artist and ordered duplicate Of the
Lisbon fountain. It was rendered to
the park board Of st. Paul, but 1t ap-
peared that there were no funds that
could be used to build the foundation
Tor the fountain. That was rather a
facer for a man who had already paid
fancy figure for a work Of art that
he proposed to give away, but 1t didn't
seem to bother the doctor.
He wrote the park board to build
the foundation, install the fountain
and send him the BILL The fountain
cost about $1,000, and is a. monument
TO the generosity of the donor that
will live for many generation in the
memories of the people of ST. Paul.
This is not the only act Of public
benefcience that the doctor has per-
formed, but 1t is perhaps the most not
able.
How He Bestows Favors.
An instance of the off-hand manner
in which he bestows bis benefactions
is quoted by H. ]. Strouse, the secre-
tary of the Off-Fellows' Mutual Aid
society 1t seems that there was q
proposition being entertained for the
building in this state of a home for old
and INDECENT members of the order. 1t
had been stated that a considerable
amount would have to be raised to get
the work under way. and the officers
discussing ways and means, called the
matter to the attention Of DR.. Schiff-
mann. He told them that when they