The Duluth rip-saw. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1917-19??, 1918-08-10
HOW OUR NIGHT SCHOOLS
BECAME PERMANENT.

, Az" OON N4N444 SS33SS~
BECAME PERMANENT.
Twenty-six years ago next No
vember, John L. Morrison was q
reporter on the Duluth Evening
Herald, doing two or three mems
work for one boys wages. Hav-
ing a desire to attain some Of the
things in life that Others, not at
all his superior, already had at
tanned, he saw the necessity OF
getting his hands onto a heavier
income. When he was unexpect-
edly solicited by Supt. Denfeld to
take night school work at the Gen.
trail building, he jumped at the
opportunity, working on the paper
by day and in the school at night.
The reporter had been principal
in the Bugeater state and had
kept in close touch with education
al matters for years.
The reporter-teacher had charge
of beginners, foreigners who de-
sired and needed to learn how to
speak, read and write English.
That one room had winters at
tendance that ranged from IS to
IS, with ages running from 13 to
AZ. The students embraced boys
and girls, men and women, from
the ranks of Swedish, Norwegian,
German, Jewish, Italian and even
{ French and Spanish immigrants.
There was but one Irish lad and
he was taught how to write his
name. Along with the primary
instruction in reading, writing
and speaking English, some in
struction was given in cleanliness,
morals, civil government and rudi-
ments of citizenship.
/ In those days the reporter:teach-
er had a surplus Of snap and en-
ergy. He wore beard that
helped impress the deferential
material for the melting pot. They
were not permitted to run helter-
SHELTER out Of the room nor to
ramble around the halls. There
was strict discipline and order.
Even the Jewish students were
taught not to study aloud, as was
the Oriental habit of many of
Them.
| At that time, w. E. Richardson
was president Of the school board.
While no extremely wealthy cit
liens held directorships, the men,
bership of the board embraced
the more prominent men of the
! city and they served as matter
Of pride and duty, with no COM
mercial axes to grind or favors to
extend to anyone.
President Richardson, although
a man of keen intelligence and
broad education, could not con-
vince himself Of the utility and
practicability Of night schools.
He argued the matter long and
often with Supt. Denfeld, seeking
light, desiring to become con-
WINGED, but not quite attaining
what he sought.
After one discussion Supt. Den
field said:
Richardson, visit the. night
school classes that Morrison is
teaching and come to me with a
report of what you see."
Mr.. Richardson did so. The in
structor could not quite under
stand why the visitor came, but
he seated him and then went
through the evenings work as
though a visitor was not present.
The students studied as quietly
as mice. Not a moment was lost
in frivolity or useless acts. The
program was followed with deep
interest by pupils and instructor.
At the close of the session books
were put away, positions taken,
and the students filed out of the
room, down the halls and to the
street without noise and with
military order and precision.
Without word of explanation
as to why he was there, President
Richardson wished the instructor
good night. The next day he en-
tered the superintendent office
and exclaimed:
"Denfeld, the night schools
are all right. I am with you in
their maintenance
| It was nearly 20 years later
when Mr., Richardson, met the
former reporter.instructor on the
street and told him the story Of
his skepticism as to the ADVISABLE
| ity of the night. schools and how
Ihe hHcAmA a cnNvarf "a fho;r