The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-10-08

THE annual report Of the school board
is now In the hands Of the printer and
will be ready for distribution within a
short time said Supt. A. ]. Smith yes
terday, while discussing school affairs
with the G O b e. THE last year has
been very successful one, especially so
when the existing stringent conditions
are taken into consideration. The whole
situation Is full of hope. If we secure a
favorable decision from the supreme
court, the schools of this city will emerge
upon season of progress and prosperity
that has not been rivaled since 1850.
During that year an era of prosperity
seemed to sweep over the city, and the
schools were necessarily benefited. In
deed, it was a banner year. We md,
upon looking up the records of the past,
that this condition existed in measure
until 1892, when the depression came on
and the people commenced to feel the
stringency of the times. People COM
planned about fads, claiming that there
was too much in the schools that was SUI
perfiuous and not germane to the COM
mon school course. In 1893 the schools
passed under the cloud Of depression,
but 1 think we can say with assurance,
if the supreme court uphods the valid
ity of the 11a-mill additional tax levy,
we will again pass out from under the
cloud which has hung over us, particular
~ during the last five years.
1.-THE needs of the schools are mani
fold. The crowded conditions of nearly
all the buildings have been pretty thor
cughly discussed through the papers, and
I think the public are awake to the con-
Gition that our schools are in. The mat
ter of repairs is one Of great Importance,
as there Is not a building that dates
back before the nineties that does not
need in the worst way extensive repairs.
Since 1895 practically nothing has been
put on the buildings in the way Of re-
pairs. rom year to year improvements
have been made only in cases where the
sanitary conditions of the school demand
ed such an outlay. Every year that this
matter has been delayed increases the
demand for a large expenditure in this
direction, and makes it more expensive
in the end.
GAS has been stated our schools are
terribly overcrowGed, but withall the
teachers have been very hopeful There
has never been time since | have been
in st. Paul that the whole course of
things moved as smoothly as at present.
The teachers were never so we'll and this
can be said of the scholars. There Is lit
tie or no sickness in the schools. During
the present week there has not been a
teacher sick out of the $40 that are on the
roll Only one has been excused, and
that was case where there was q death
in the family. The supervisors feel bet
ter and have had the hearty cooperation
of every teacher in the schools. AT times
in the past there has been certain oppost-
ton to their work coming from the out
side, but this gems to have disappeared,
and they now apparently have the cheer
full cooperation of all.
There has been a number of changes
rules which promise well for the schools.
The changes will doubtless materially
raise the standard of the school. Under
the new regulations no one will be all
lowed to enter who has not the best Of
qualifications This will give us a choice
of the best material, and no one will be
permitted to graduate who does not mani
fest ability as a teacher. These require
ments will give US better results from this
school
"The new manual will contain the
course of study for 1899 and 1900. The old
course has beer considerably amended
and amplifei to suit the growth and
changes in conditions. report from
each officer of the board will be included
in the manual, eJnbodying suggestions
that will be of interest to all connected
with the schools"