The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-07-02

made to these buildings the evils have
been increased, and NOTABLY in the Frank
lin, Madison and Webster schools. On
dark days the children are at d great dis
advantage, besides their eyesight is in
danger of injury. OF course the Judgment
and care of the teachers may be safely
trusted to so control matters as to pre-
vent injury to the eyes1gnt of the pupils,
but aside from this possibility there is
great loss. 1t is not out of place to have
this problem before you now
SITTINGs.
There are enrolled in the schools about
$4,000 children. To accommodate them we
have forty-seven buildings, ranging in
capacity from one to tWentY-nine rooms,
having total of q, 315 sittings. The sub
urban schools have but few pupils. The
Mcclellan, Tilden, Smith, Ames and
Washington school buildings cannot be
fully used as the districts are sparsely
settled. The Logan, Quincy and Mat
tCoks, single room buildings, have scarce
ly more than enough together than would
comfortably fill one room, but 1t is inn
possible to close these schools or lessen
the expense. 1t follows that many build
ings in the center of the population are
greatly Overcrowded, and we are compel
led to resort to halliday sessions and the
use of annexes in the First, Sixth, Eighth,
Tenth and Eleventh wards
"A large building centrally located in
the Eighth ward would be Immediately
filled and would afford relief to the Madl-
son, Scheffer, Jackson, Drew Maxfeld
Webster and Neil schools. Scarcely less
imperative is the need of the First ward
where a good school building would re-
lieVe the congestion in the Cleveland,
Harrison, Ericsson and Grant schools 1t
ShOnId be Toned n This
that the total enrolment exceeds the sit
tings in these schools by 5000. Bad as
this is it would be far worse if we were
net relieved by the parochial schools
which have an enrolment of about II, 900
pupils who at any time may demand adj
mission to the public schools and who
must in that event be provided for
Therefore the amount asked for in the
budget for sites and new buildings is
most reasonable
NEEDED REPAIRS.
For repairs, betterments and perma-
nent improvements the sum of So, 100 is
asked. The estimates presented in the
report of the superintendent of repairs
submitted to the real estate committee
show the absolute need of this eXpcndit-
ure and those who know the actual con-
dition of the buildings cannot doubt that
much more is really needed
In fact the entire amount asked for
is Indispensable 1t is true that less than
the aggregate amount presented for this
year has been allowed for several wears
past and the efficiency Of the system been
maintained, but it Is impossible that this
should longer continue
TO provide a less sum for the better
ment and repairs of the buildings would
De 10 subject them to an injury that
would be ineXcuSably wasteful; and orr
people have a right to require of us a.
sufficient number of Sittings in COM
Portable buildings In gOOd sanitary con-
dti0n. No less sum than is asked Tor
maintenance would preserve unimpaired
our splendid system of public instruction.
The sacrlhces made in the past even if
continued in the future would be made
quate- The growth of orr school poplla-
ton alone, is so considerable that wa
must choose between an increased OK
pendlture for maintenance or the dis
continuance Of some valuable cart or
parts Of the system. We do not believe
that there should be any such imDair-
trent we 90 not believe the people of
st. Paul desire it. ard we earnestly hone
TO see the work continually Strengthen
ing ana growing. The board of school
inspectors can have no other object and
as a matter Of fact mas no other object
IN view, than the highest welfare of the
youth Of st. Paul as provided Tor in the
school work, and al the lowest possible
cost l'0'''"le
After considerable labor on the mart
OF members of the board and some pa tri-
QUO citizens. the tax levy was increased
ny the last legislature and and Cne-holf
mills This additional allowance IS sore
ly needed in view of the undeniabIe FACT
mat If this budget does not pass the
council council no building can be done until
1871 the need Of immediate passage ia
houceaole as plans, purchasing of sites
etc-' are essential before building. and
we earnestly trust that the budget as
submitted will not be reduced -