The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1905-08-11
Board Takes Steps to Carry
Out Refunding Scheme.
Few Excuses Will Be Granted
to Factory Workers.
School District Will Furnish
Examination Paper.


The meeting of the school board last
night was not very prolific in business
All of the members were present ex
cept Rev. Mr.. Davis.
The first order of business was the
canvassing of the vote on the bond re-
funding proposition. 1t was found that
fifty-nne votes had been east for it and
none against.
Judge Comstock presented resolution
to comply with the forms of the law,
in order that the money may be Dor
rowed from the state. 1t authorizes the
officers of the board to sign the neces-
sary papers and bonds in order that the
$2l 500 may be borrowed. 1t was adopt
ed
The Pond Hasey Co. made a requisi-
ton of ST 600 on their West Mankato
heating plant contract and $500 for o.
NJ. Hagwall, who is doing the brick
work, etc. 1t was endorsed by Archi
tect Pass. The requisition was allowed.
Capt. Keysor reported that progress
is being made on the repairs to the
various buildings.
Superintendent Mcconnell brought up
the matter of children over fourteen
years of age who are employed in fac
tories. At the opening of last year for
ty excuses were granted until January,
and then renewed on the personal appli
cation of the parents, who were mostly
able bodied. In the twin cities nine out
of ten applications are refused. In Man
kato the conditions are somewhat seri-
Gus, and probably sixty children will
want excuses when the schools open.
Mr.. Mcconnell said that he did not want
to refuse to grant excuses where the
parents are dependent on the children's
wages for support, but he was convinced
that in many cases it was simply a
matter of little children being required
to support indolent parents. He would
the cases relate to the parochial schools.
Judge Comstock said that the labor
commissioner had found the conditions
in Mankato better than in most places.
President Hughes said that he
thought that good many children were
working in factories who ought to be
attending school.
Mr.. Currier said that there are a good
many spending their time loaing on the
streets, who ought to be in school. Sup
erintendent Mcconnell said that this
was a matter for the truancy officers.
1t might keep the police force busy.
Judge Comstock- moved that no ex-
cuses be granted unless it appeared to
the superintendent and board to be
matter of necessity that the children
work. This was carried.
Superintendent Mcconnell brought up
the matter of examination paper and
said that some school boards furnish it
probably in the majority of the
schools. 1t would cost from SIS to 500
year. The school board furnishes the
ink. 1t would be quite convenience to
teachers and also to the children and
parents if the paper was on hand.
Mr.. Currier moved that the superin-
tendent and school committee purchase
the necessary amount of examination pa
per, and this was carried
The bills were taken up and allowed
Judge Comstock moved that sound
ings be taken north and south of the
Franklin school building to see which
side woulde be best to run the sewer
and water pipes in, under the supervision
of the members of that precinct. This
was carried. special meeting will be
called after the city lets its contract,
so that the connection between the
street and the building can be put in
before school opens, as it would not do
to have blasting going on there while
the school was in session.