The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1918-11-15
J. N. MCCONNELL TO
HEAD STATE SCHOOLS
GOVERNOR BURNQUIsT MAKES
The APPOINTMENT
Mankato State Normal Instructor
to Succeed c. G. Schultz
Whose Term Expires

Governor Burnquist last night an
nounced the appointment of ]. M.
Mcconnell of Mankato, as state su-
perintendent of education to succeed
| c.. G.. Schulz, whose term expires jan
uary 1, says today's st. Paul Dis
patch.
The announcement came as thun-
derbolt, the simple statement being
given out by Governor Burnquist that
he had named the Mankato educa-
tor to succeed Mr.. Schulz. He de-
clined to assign any reasons for GUST
ing the present superintendent, but
il is reported that there has been
friction between the chief executive
and the head of the schools of the
state ever since the veto of the state
school fund appropriation by Gov
ernor Burnquist early in 1917.
Governor Burnquist declined to be
quoted as to his reasons for the re-
moval of Mr. Schulz, but intimated
he had sufficient cause for not re-
appointing him to the position. That
the Governor believed that the state
Superintendent had permitted too
much politics in his office and that
this had perverted the school system
of the state was intimated by Cover
nor Burnquist.
Mr.. Schulz last night voiced COM
plete surprise at the announcement
| of the appointment. He declared he
did not know any change was to be
made, that Governor Burnquist had
| voiced no criticism of his department
and had made no suggestions toward
| its conduct.
At the same time Superintendent
| Schulz intimated that in his recent
campaign to bring about the teach
| ing of English in all the private and
parochial schools he had made a
number of enemies and that possibly
this may have been partly respon-
sible for what he considered sum-
mary action.
In Present Office Ten Years.
81 have been connected with the
department for seventeen years and
superintendent for ten years and 1t
seems strange to me that an ap-
pointment of this importance should
have been made without any intima-
ton to me on the part of Governor
|
Schulz. 4
Mr.. Schulz, after the veto of the
school fund appropriation passed by
| the 1917 session of the legislature,
was among those who refused to fall
in with this plan to pay a deficit in
numerous districts of the state out
of other state school funds.
1t was rumored at that time, and
frequently since, that Governor Burn
quist felt that the superintendent Of
education had crossed him on this.
May Make Statement Later.
Governor Burnquist denied he sus-
pected Mr.. Schulz of being other than
absolutely loyal to the United States
in the world conflict, but intimated
| that the state superintendent had
broken faith with him on some i'm
portant matters. He said that he
might make a statement to Justify
his action later.
The new appointee, Mr. Mcconnell,
was highly praised by the Governor,
and has been prominent in educa-
tional circles in the state for twenty
years. He is now superintendent of
the city schools of Mankato, and was
III oCSCidi years COuueCtSQ WIN tue
state normal school in that city. He
has served as both president and Sec
rotary of the Minnesota Educational
association. He is about SO years
old.
Mcconnell In State 20 Years.
Mr.. Mcconnell has been a Mime
sofa educator for more than twenty
years, having come to the state from
Pennsylvania. He was an instructor
first in Carleton college and later
city superintendent of schools, both
at Winnebago city and Mankato. He
resigned the latter position to teach
history and sociology in the state
normal school at Mankato, a position
he has held several years. He is a
man of family and a member of the
Episcopal church.
Governor Burnquist and Superin
tendent-el Mcconnell were in con-
terence here last night.
Mr.. Mcconnell was not in the civ
today, but it is presumed that he has
accepted the appointment. Mr.. Nc
ConTelPs selection is one that will