The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-01-09
NEW SERIES-NO. IA

sing, partly, perhaps as the Superintendent
suggests, from the frequent changes in our
school laws, and possibly also from defects
in the several systems heretofore estab-
lished.
My views upon the necessity of a thor
ough and efficient school system have been
SO often expressed, on previous occasions,
that it is unnecessary to repeat them here.
And your experience in!;the various locali-
ties which you represent will enable you to
determine whether the course of legislation
upon this matter has been adapted to the
wants of the community, and what changes,
if any, are needed.
You will, think, agree with me in the
conclusion that our efforts on behalf of
with better results if we had remembered
that the cheapest system is not always the
most economical, and that the efficiency of
any system not radically defective depends
upon it's permanence.
The creation of fund for school purpo-
ses, from the sales of school lands adds a
new interest to this important subject
The enlargement of this fund, as the Super
intendent suggests, will result in time in the
establishment of a distinct department Of
public instruction. Until this shall be
done, however, it affords me pleasure to be
able to state, that thiA important depart
ment is in the hands of gentleman fully
sensible of the Importance ofits duties and
jealous for their efficient discharge. %
Notwithstanding the draft upon the fl
nances of the State, Occasioned by the war,
resulting in the necessity Of emitting the
usual appropriation for the Normal School
at Winona, it's friends have not abated any
portion of their zeal or interest, in this en-
terprise, and look with confidence to its re-
organization, so soon as the Legislature
shall be enabled to bestow the usual IA
vors upon that institution, which it is
fondly. hoped may be at no distant day.
For further information, of the present con-
dition of this institution and of its pros
poets and hopes for the future, you are re-
spectfully referred to the report of the Su-
perintendent.
| FINANCES OF THE UNIVERSITY
The Legislature, at its last regular ses-
sion, authorized the Regents of the State
| University to attempt a liquidation of the
indebtedness Of that institution, by the
conveyance Of the lands with which it is
endowed. The attention of the Regents
has accordingly been directed to that OBJ
ject during the year
The lands have been offered to- the vari-
ous classes of creditors, at valuations to be
placed upon them by disinterested apprai-
sers.
1t has been found difficult to reach effee-
tually the bond holders, the most of whom
yet cling to the hope that the University
bonds are State obligations.
A portion Of the other Indebtedness has
been settled with lands at valuation which
must be satisfactory to the State, and which
is not inequitable to the creditors. A be-
ginning has thus been effected, towards a
release of the University from the incubus
which has so long rested upon ii, and dis
position shown on the part of the Regents to
dO what lies in their power, to meet it's OBJ
legations. 1t is hoped that all the credi-
tors may be persuaded to accept the equi-
table proposals made to them.
DISPOSITION OF INSANE PATIENTS.
Under the advice of the Legislature, 1
addressed the Governors of several of the
Northwestern States, last spring, to ascer.
tain whether they would receive and care
for limited number of the insane of this
State in their curative asylums, and if so,
upon what terms.
The only favorable response came from
Iowa. where the authorities agreed to re-
ceive such patients as the State might send,
not exceeding twenty in number, at the
charge of three dollars per week for board,
care and attendance and that the neces-
sary clothing the patient might require
would be furnished at wholesale price,
which itwas judged would not average ov-,
er fifty dollars per annum These charges
to be met in quarterly payments.
After due public notice given by the
Secretary of State, six persons from the
counties of Meeker, Washington and: Ram
sey were assembled in this city and placed
in charge of the agent appointed for the
purpose of taking them to the Iowa Asy-
lum for Insane, and were by him deliv-
cred to the Superintendent of that institu-
ton on the 4th of December last.
An account should be kept with the
several counties from which these patients
are received, and they should be required
to reimburse the State Treasury for the ex- !
penses thus incurred.
The appropriation made at the extra
session for the support of the Insane, will |
be sufficient to meet all charges to Decem. n
Der 4th, 1868. if there should be no increase y
of numbers; but as there probably will be,
[ recommend the appropriation of few
thousand dollars, to meet possible contin-
gences. aslg
1872 BUREAU OF PUBLIC LANDS.
The operations in the Bureau of Public
Lands which have been conducted with
great prudence and ability, are possessed Of i
TCoNCLUDED ON FouRru panp1