The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-11-11

[ ISTIdy dll6IHOOIy pTuNlueu LOT the ~dp-
| pointment of a committee of five to take
| immediate steps to apply for a writ Of
! mandamus to compel Gear McCardy
to audit the October pay rolls Princi-
| pal Robinson offered the following reso-
| luton:
+ Resolved, That a committee of five be
| appointed by the chair, representing all
+ classes of teachers, to engage an attor-
| ney or attorneys to bring mandamus
/ proceedings If necessary and to take
/ whatever further steps may be necessary.
| That the committee shall have full pow
/ er to act. That the teachers Of ST. Paul
!. pledge their united moral and financial
| support to this purpose"
/ The resolution was adopted, but not
| unanimously, as there were many Of
the teachers who believed that it was
not incumbent upon the teachers to
make test of the law, but the corpora
! ton attorneys office. 8
In opening the meeting, which was at
tended by over 500 teachers principals
and school officials President Farms
worth explained the object of the gather
| ing, as primarily to face the emergency
which confronted the teachers. It was
| not an extended discussion that was
wanted, but immediate action.
Principal Weitbrecht followed President
J Farnsworth With a statement Of the find
| ings of the committees that were ap-
| pointed by the grade teachers federation
at the meeting last week The commit
tee to wait upon the board had conferred
with several members and reported that
body to be thoroughly in sympathy with
the teachers cause. An attorney had
also been consulted and, although not
willing to freely express an opinion as
to the merits Of the case, asserted that
he thought the teachers had a case. The
comptroller had raised the question Of
the school boards authority. and the
only thing left to do was to bring the
controversy to an issue in the courts
and decide the matter for all time
Principal Robinson thought 1t lamenta-
BILE that the teachers were called upon
to take such steps, in face of the fact
that the city had men who We're paid for
such emergencies. He thought it was
the duty Of the corporation attorney,
Mr.. Markham, to take the matter to the
courts. Since Mr.. Markham had been
conspicuous by his silence, and apparent
II
necessary for the teachers to take &C
ton, although he considered it nothing
short of an imposition. He thought the
matter had simmered down to question
between the friends and enemies of the
public schools. It was not a case of the
teacher against the taxpayer, but the
public and the public schools against a
few rich taxpayers Principal Robinson
in conclusion stated that he hoped the
committee would be able to devise some
ways and means that would not necessi-
tate the suit, but as there was but lftle
prospect of breaking the existing dead
lock, he regards it as inevitable.
Mr.. Robinson with this explanation pre-
sented his resolution.
Miss Nettebody thought, since the
teachers had lost one suit, there were no
more grounds for believing in the merit
of the second case than was demonstrate
ed by the result in the first instance
Miss Saunders deplored another suit.
She thought if there were officials who
do not do their duty, it was within the
scope Of the board more properly to COM
pei them to do their duty rather than 20
force the matter upon the teachers.
Miss Pollock stated that she thought
a suit the only alternative that was open
for the teachers. The charter intended
to place the school board on an equal
basis with the other boards of the city,
and unless the matter was taken into
court, teachers would live in uncertainty.
and the prestige Of the board would never
be fully established.
Prof. Lange gave It as his opinion that
the committee should first see If a suit
could be avoided, but If not, and the legal
department Of the city refused to assist
the teachers, then it should Immediately
bring action with as little delay as pos
sible. or" continued the p1 ofsssor, Eve
might stay at nome on the 18th I do
not think, however, that would be expe-
dent. Even ii we did stay at home we
could not collect salary from the city
for the time lost"
Prof. Denny was not favorable to an
aggressive stand, although as a final al
tentative suit seemed the only recourse.
'Supposing the suit is decided against
us, what then2" inquired another anxious
voice.
But no one knew what would happen
then, except that the word strike might
be made practical use Of.
Prof LANCE again expressed his views
He thought the teachers by striking
would lose their prestige and lose the as
sistance of public opinion, which he had
every reason to believe was with the
teachers in demanding their dues.
Miss Brooks expressed the same senti-
ment She said the teachers were not
day labOrers, but represented profess
sion Of which they were all proud. The
large sympathy Of the public would be
lost in such a movement
Prof Bryant was of the opinion that
some citizen who had children III the
schools should bring the suit. He
thought there was another question
which should be brought up, that Of
the two weeks salary due the teachers
which has not been paid
Prof Caldwell thought it doubtful IL
any one could be found who would bring
such a suit.
Prof. Weitbrecht thought the matter
should be settled for all time. If it was
not, next year the comptroller might hold
up the pay rolls again
Miss Saunders was decidedly opposed to
bringing suit. Some one else should
take the matter into the courts"
Who, for instance" put in voice.
That will be found out when the pub
lie knows that we will not" she replied
Miss Robb explained that the plain
tfffs in suit Of this kind should be in
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