, 1862-01-16
REPORT or THE sUPERINTENDENT OF
PUBLIC INSTRUCTION.
OFFICE OF Public INSTRUCTION,
0lvmnia W II Dcc 1Oth 1871 I

hEEOkNE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF
PUBLIC INSTRUCTION.
OFFICE OF Public INSTRUCTION.,
Olympia, W. T., Dec. 10th, 1s6l.}
To the Honorable The Legislature Of the
Territory Of Washington:
The act to create the Office Of Public lnstruc.
ton makes il the duty Of the Superintendent 10
collect such information as may be deemed i'm
pOrtant in reference to common schools espes
cially the number Of children; the number and
quality Of schools, the number Of scholars in
attendance; the amount paid for tuition, also,
to collect information Of the number Of school
houses, and the amount expended from year to
year, for the erection and repairing Of school
houses, and all other matters in reference to the
operation and effect Of the Common School sys-
TEN, and report annually to the Legislature the
information thus collected, and suggest such i'm.
provements from time to time as the interests
Of education may require.
In accordance with the above requirements,
submit the fOllowii 9 report, with such recom-
mendations as deem important for the interests
Of education in the Territory.
Ny report, from the nature Of the case, will
be very unsatisfactory, from the fact that our
Common School system is not yet matured, and
the act to create county Superintendents does
not make it their duty to report to this Office.
have corresponded with all the county Super
intendents during the year, requesting Of them
such information as desired by law. J
Many Of them have responded to the request
sent rly in the year, and their reports can be
found in the following pages. Still a number OF
counties have not been heard from. This we
regret because we desire to bring before you all
the information important for proper legislation
on this subject, but we hope that the future will
perfect what has been begun the past year.
We have been enabled TO visit a number Of
schools in the Territory, and we are gratified to
notice tho interest on the subject Of education
among the people.
Too much can hardly BE- said in favor Of Pop
ular Education. 1t dissipates tho evils Of ig-
nOrance, which are the greatest hindrances to
the progress Of our free Institutions. II in
creases the productiveness Of labor in all the
industrial pursuits Of civilized life. When its
appliances are wisely arranged, 1t always tends
to diminish pauperism and crime, aud to pro
mote human happiness. Hence we would urge
upon you the importance Of developing our ed
ucational interests
SCHOOL LAND.
The General Government has very wisely set
apart one-eighteenth Of the public land for con.
mnn school purposes. This, in ITSELF properly
managed, will make all our public schools free.
Through the kindness Of Jared Hurd, Esq. Of
the Surveyor Generals Office, I am put in pos.
session Of the probable amount Of land do
mated for educational purposes in this Territory;
500. Acres.
For Common School purposes 10, ,l6l, 1888
For University purposes ....... 46,O60
Total amount .................... .lO,2O7'2lS
Now suppose this common school land is sold
at the very low rate Of fifty cents per acre, and
we have the munifcent sum Of fve millions
eight thousand and FIVE hundred and sixty y.nine
dollars. II this amount be put at the low rate
Of ten per cent interest, we shall have an an
nual income Of five hundred and eight thousand
and fifly-six dollars and ninety cents.
This sun will pay seven hundred and twenty
competent achers annually.
UNIVERSITY.
The General Government has given to the
Territory, for the endowment Of a University,
46,OS0 acres Of unOccupied land-henoe the
land may be located when 1t is the most saleable
and desirable, in tracts to suit purchasers, no,
exceeding $40 acres in one body.
Therefore we conclude that the average value
Of these lands is above the minimum price of
81 90 per acre, making a fund not less than
$4,000, and possibly. if disposed Of judiciously,
might amount to double the above estimate.
We think it wise provision OF the Legislature
in appointing commissioners to locate at an early
day all the University lands.
The commissioners Of the UniveFSity felt
themselves authorized, after selecting the site Of
the University aud in improving the same, to
commence the University buildings, which are
now nearly couple ed. About one-half Of the
whole amount donated has been expended. We
think that the expense is already too great for
the public good Of the Territory In fact, IL the
rnaitar ia wall aonsidarad ma ehal1 nuN