The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-02-06
4LOBE'S MINNEAPOLIS OFFICE,
" 20 WASHINGTON Az SOUTH.

MINNEAPOLIS. Feb. 5.-Are num-
Der of the public school teachers of
Minneapolis addicted to cruelty to
their pupils and unfit persons to have
charge of young children?
y secret meeting of all the public
school teachers of this city, called by
Supt. Johnson, and held at the Central
high school Saturday morning, would
indicate that such is the case, and may
be the harbinger of an investigation by
the board of education
Last week all the teachers were no.
titled that they were expected to be
present at a special teachers meeting
a. the Central high school Saturday
morning. The meeting was called by
Supt. Jordan, and as this was an I'M
usual thing the teachers gathered about
In knots and wondered what was going
to happen.
When they arrived at the high school
on the morning named and saw the
doors barred after they We're inside
ard guards placed to insure secrecy
the wonderment grew, but the super
intendent did not allow them to remain
In the dark much longer.
As soon as he arrived the meeting
Was called to order and it is said he
proceeded directly to the point by say
ing that the meeting was called re-
parents regarding the treatment their
children were receiving at the hands
of their teachers
Without any more introduction than
this, 1t is said that the superintendent
proceeded to give his listeners what
might be termed an artistic dressing
down, and among other things he is
credited with saying was that while
heretofore ne had stood by the teachers
When complaints were made by parents
IN the future he would be found on
the side of the parents and that from
now on their stories would be believed
He : reported as saying that he has
received many complaints of teachers
SO Tar forgetting themselves as to call
the little ones under them fools and
ounces, and that one case had been
called to his attention where a. teacher
mad actually shaken her fist in the
race OF mother who had called to see
ABOUT the treatment of her child
He declared that his remarks We're
belng addressed to the older teachers,
and that he had their names on q list,
ana II ever any Of them We're dischare-
cd from their position here he would
never give them a recommendation to
teach In any other place, and he adj
Flsed them that if any were in doubt
as to whether their names were on the
list they could find out for. certain by
calling at his office
1t is said that Supt. Jordan's address
produced wonderful effect upon his
listeners. and that many of the old
teachers squirmed in their seats while
Their superintendent delivered himself
of this direct talk
This is not the first time that rumors
nave been heard regarding the treat
1hent OF scholars. Last fall when sew
~eral of the schools We're overcroWded
+ was found necessary to divide the
classes in two sections, one attending
In the morning and the other in the
afternoon. and at this time a certain
teacher is reported 10 have made the
division by at the same time saying
that she would divide the class so as
to have the ounces attend in the morn
ing and the others in the afternoon.
and it Is said that certain parents took
exception to the remark at that time.
and very nearly caused the removal of
the teacher
Another story, dating about the same
Ilme, told of one teacher, who not only
called pupil names, but threw him
against seat with such violence that
his scalp was badly cut