The Saint Paul globe., 1899-04-19
JUST CRIPPLED THEM
LEGISLATURE WOULDN'T ALLOW
THE USUAL APPROPRIATION FOR
SUMMER SCHOOLS
PLANS HAVE TO BE CHANGED
Supt. Lewis VIII Notify Half of
Those Designated ms Teachers
That Their Services VIII Not Re
Required-Popula Habit of Old
Machine of Anticipating It's Rev.
enue Felt Here, Too.

The failure of the: Legislature to make
adequate appropriation for the summer
schools win materially embarrass the va
cation work In the country schools State
Superintendent Lewis stated, yesterday,
that the number of schools planned by
the department., would have to be re-
duced just one-half to come within the
funds available for the work. Half those
appointed for the summer school and in
stitute work will be notified that their
services will not be required, as the
funds at the disposal of the department
are not sufficient to carry, on the work
on the lines of the last two years.
The department has to it's credit on the
state auditors books $4,000 of the sum-
mer school fund for the fiscal year end
ing July 81. By the action taken by the
legislature at the eleventh hour an item
of $500 for teachers examinations will
come OUT of this. leaving available on
the old account for summer schools
$500. The legislature appropriated for
the summer school work SEQ, 900, making
total of 81, 500 which can be spent in
this direction.
Last year $32, 900 was spent In summer
school work. which leaves this years ap-
preparation $1,000 less than the amount
required last year. The summer school
at the state university will cost $1,000.
giving $4,000 for the country summer
schools and out of this amount the ex-
penses Of the fall institute will have to
be paid, leaving but little over $4,000 for
the summer schools proper.
Mr.. Lewis stated yesterday that he
would within a few days compile a cor
rected list of summer schools and an
nounce the appointments, which would
hold good under the existing conditions
Mr.. Lewis says that in making the new
arrangements for the schools he will en-
deavor to select places accessible to the
greatest number, and where the work Is
best received and carried on He said
that It was a matter Of regret that the
legislature had not put the summer
schools on a more substantial basis.
Last years schools cost more than the
appropriation, and the department had
in the past anticipated the appropriation
for the following season, which had left
what practically amounts to deficit in
the fund. Some retrenchment will be in
augurated by the department with a
view to securing the greatest returns for
the appropriation. The salaries of con-
ductors of summer schools will be left at
the old figure, S16S per month. The as
SlStants Will suffer g. reduction of S.
making the new figure for their rank
s12O. All others Will be reduced from $12O
to Sl0S. In addition to this all attending
instructors will receive mileage to and
from their homes to the point where the
session Is held.
The summer schools occupy a. high
| place in the, estimation, of the educators
/ OF the state at large, and the legislature
In It's anxiety 10 pass the beet sugar
bounty bill, crippled branch of the state
educational work which finds favor with
all who. are engaged IN the educational
field. :~.l, -. - -.
A number of local. school .efflcials were
| seen yesterday, and 1t was the general
impression that the action of the legis-
1ature was backward. step, and would
| not be at all ,faverably. received. Har-
ward and many of the largest universi-
ties in the United Stares maintain sum-
mer schools, and, the summer schools
such as have been conducted In Mime
sofa for years tend very strongly to ele-
vates the standard lls and make better, teach
I ers.g -. = ,~-sf- =.
Supt. A. ]. Smith was seen by the
Clio be and said: a
.I think the summer schools a very
commendable 9 means of encouraging
teachers in their work and creating an
enthusiasm in their school labors, which
is made evident in no other way. It Is
the progressive teachers who are ambi-
tious for better things that attend these
schools. My impression is that teachers
should not be required to attend these
schools, yet there will always be the
progressive and advancing element which
will put in the summer school months
pursuing an advanced course to fit them
selves for better work.
OTHER DEPARTMENTS SUFFER.
The school branch Of the public service
is not the only one to suffer. In the state
auditors Office the department has 81, ,0ot
less with which to conduct its business
than two years ago; as result of che
economy" practiced by the legislature
This amount represents an appropriation
which has been made in the past to as
| sist the land department in handling the
swamp land grants and for paying the
| expenses Of actions brought against rail-
road companies on land grants. 1t has
| always been the case that wherever the
| state has brought an action of any kind
against railroad company or corpora
ton that the best legal talent in the state
has been arrayed against..the attorney
general. The $1,000 appropriation has been
made to cover legal expenses and other
cost Of properly conducting these cases