The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-05-05
STATE INSPECTORS
ARE INSTRUCTED
HIGH SCHOOL BOARD ADOPTS RE
MARKABLE RESOLUTION.
High School and Graded School Inspect
ors Requested Not to Favor Publish
ing Houses, and to Make Written
Acknowledgements Alton
Declares Complaint Groundless.

At the regular meeting of the state
high school board, last week, a resolu-
tion was adopted which may stir up a
bit of storm. The resolution was
framed and adopted in executive SEES
sion and was not intended for publica-
ton.
On it's face, this resolution appears to
be severe reprimand and direct criti-
cism of G.. A. Alton state high school in
spector, andA. w. Rankin, graded school
inspector. Mr.. Alton, who was in the
city today, did not appear to feel at
all downcast over the resolution and
was perfectly willing as far as he was
personally concerned, that it be pub
| 1ished.
It is stated that the action was
prompted by certain complaints against
Mr.. Alton and Mr.. Rankin. 1t was al
legged that the two had money invested
in a schoolbook publishing and school
supply house, and they had taken advan-
tage Of their official position to recon-
mend certain books, and if possible to
force their adoption. Moreover, it was
books soon found themselves on the Off
cial blacklist.
The resolutions as adopted were as
follows: .~..
Resolved, That the inspector of
high schools and the inspector of
graded schools be instructed to report
in writing to the state high school
board their action in recomme ending the
| removal of teacher in any school or
a change Of school books whenever they
make any such recommendation.
Resolved, That it is the desire OF
this board that it's agents, the inspec
tors of schools, shall not in the slight
est degree ally themselves with pub
fishing houses in the interest Of these
housesin selling their books and In cases
where it is known that school books
tors not to give information Of the
fact to one publishing house to the
exclusion of others. - ...-. 49, .a ,s.
!. MIR. Atoms Statement.
When questioned in the matter to-
r day., Mr.. Alton said:
ec am nt ae1theF d1Feetly nor adl
company or supply, company. have
;, written few textbooks and have ed
tied one or two of the classics, bu
= they are published in the east and ART
not in this territory at all. Now tina
this matter is out, 1 am willing tina
l it should be known, for know tina
! my reputation among the teachers am
Q bookmen, will stand against anythin,
n implied in these resolutions. <,,g
: My advice is constantly asked o.
different matters by local school boards
9 I do not seek to advise, but when aske
! for al opinion, state what I believ
t to be best, If local board is abou
t to hire a new teacher or principal, 9
e is about to change certain textbook
c | believe it is but proper that [ shoul
J. give advice when it is asked. Natul
/, ally, there is often disappointment, fc
d all applicants, and publishing comps
n MES cannot win. .rs..
t 81 am notainterested in any lin
l. however, and the interest in a stat
It school paper which I once owned ,.ha
r been disposed Of ,ys - -. -
= It was further stated today by al
: other person that the resolutions wei
g adopted merely =. to placate certai
g. 'soreheads'' and were never intende
b. for publication. "They. never shou]
have been adopted said he,. an
I should not, be surprised to hear MOI
Of them when they are general
re Known
10 Mr.. Rankin was out Of the city toda