The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1849-10-25
LEGISLATURE.
! HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
/ TuEsnAY Oct lH 1910

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Ga motion or Mr.. Setter.
Leave of absence was granted to Mr. Du-
gas during the day.
Mr.. Setzer presented the petition of
James Purinton,
Asking for charter to establish and
maintain ferry across Lake St. Croix, at
or near Greely's landing.
On motion of Mr.. Rabcock,
Ordered,
That it be referred to the committee on
corporations,
With leave to report by bill or otherwise
M. Babcock, gave notice Of motion for
leave to introduce a bill granting to James
Beatty the right to establish ferry across
the Mississippi rive near Sank Rapids.
Mr.. Wilkinson gave notice of a motion
for leave 10 introduce Resolution in rela-
ton to the introduction OF private laws after
a certain day.
Mr.. Trask from the committee on en-
crossed bills.
Reported,
No. %, II Of r., bill concerning divor-
ces,
As correctly engrossed.
Mr.. Pond, from the committee on schools,
submitted II reports
On motion Of Mr.. Trask,
Ordered,
That said report be accepted, and
Entered at large on the journal.
The committee to whom was referred
that part of the Governors message
which relates to schools, have had the
same under consideration, and submit
the following
REPORT.
The training of the youth is, and ever
has been, considered a matter Of the
first Importance in society.
Indeed it has been the practice in past
ages among the nations of the earth, to
commence in the morning Of life to
prepare men for the part they are to act
during the years Of mature life.
When wise means have been employ
ed to promote the education of the youth,
communities have been raised up who
have efficiently and nobly acted the part
assigned them. AS an instance, we
might mention the ancient Spartans,
who regarded martial proves as the
chief object of ambition, and who were
ready to sacrifice to it wealth, learning,
domestic happiness, and almost, if not
all, other interests. While young, the
male children were taken from their pa
rents, supported at public expense, and
trained to the use Of arms.
The result of this was, that an army
of men was raised up who performed
glorious deeds on the battlefield
Trained to war, they were efficient war
riors.
Modern nations have adopted sys-
TENS Of education differing in character
according to the different ideas of the
people as to what constitutes the great
end for which makind exist.
Since the landing of the puritan pill
grims on this continent, the Importance
OF training the youth intellectually and
morally as we'll as physically, has ever
been made prominent. And why? Be-
cause they believed, and it is still be-
lieved, that religion and intelligence are
the foundation stones Of our national ex'
istence, and that character is formed II
childhood and youth.
Throughout the States Of the Union
many Of the greatest, wisest. and bes'
of our citizens, both in church and state
devote much of their time and energies,
to the promotion Of this object; ant
through the whole country, but especial
" in the Northern and Western States
strenuous efforts are being made to I'M
prove the system of common school ed
ucation.
The committee are impressed will
the Importance of the subject of com
mon schools, and especially are they
impressed with the importance of RICH
commencement now, at the dawn OF ou
Territorial existence.
1t cannot be doubted that the future
prosperity of our Territory will depend
mainly upon the manner in which we
educate our children. If our children
are thoroughly trained in well regulated
schools, taught by well qualified instruc
tors, we may reasonably hope that the.
will in due time compose an intellisen
and virtuous community, and that the.
will improve and carry on to perfection
the valuable institutions of our Terrific
ry until Minnesota shall indeed becom
a brilliant star in the constellation an
the abode of happiness throughout iutur
generations.
On the other hand, if we are negli
gent on the subject of schools, and sui
fer the children of our Territory to gro,
up in ignorance and consequent vice
this ignorance and vice will he wOrr
gnawing at the root of all that is Lowell
and of good report in our institutions
and they will wither and die. The RI
sing star of Minnesota will be obscure
in the blackness Of darkness.
The committee have spent considera
= bic time in connection with the commit
tee on schools in the other branch of thi
Legislature, in endeavoring to prepar
bill for the action Of this body.
A bill has been prepared which ha
already been introduced into the Coun
Gil, and will soon be sent to this House
The committee therefor are of opip
ion that nothing would be gained by re
porting another bill to this House.
ALI of which is respectfully submit
ted.