The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1876-01-12

sale Ct school lands, shall be distributed to
the different townships throughout tie stafe rs
proportion to the number of scholars in each
township between the ages Of five and twenty
one years, and shall be faithfully applied to
the s?eatic objects Of the original grants or ap-
:stitution it is made The duty Of the legislature
public schools. ~ v7'',''777 -
: The statutes require the SUPERINTENDENT of
public instruction to apportion semi annually
the available school funds in the State treas
ury among the several counties in proportion
70 the number OF persons between the ages of
I'VE ana twenty -one years. In other words
the constitution reqires the money to be dis
trouted in proportion to the humber of schol-
ars, while the statute makes the number OF
persons the basis. ''',,; ,.,.,,Itt; -...:i.,,. 4
The important question arises whether the
basis upon which this money has heretofore
been distributed is not in contravention of the
thinks that it is and in this agree with him,
The word scholars has definite meaning,
more limited than the word ''persons," and
was doubtless used by the trainers of the con-
stltutlon with view to precision. The p,i-
mary definition Of the word ''scholar" is tone
who learns OF a teacher" 1t is perfectly OBJ
vious that there must be in every COMMUNITY
definition Of which the word ''scholar'' is sus-
ceptible. The answer to this question con-
corning the validity OF the statute is founo in a
mere statement of the question and seems to
he conclusive.
The subordinate question then arises, does
the word SCHOLARS" as used in the consti-
tuition mean pupils in all schools or only pu-
pills in the public schools'
have come to the conclusion with the
fnro1 ospt %l,n$t
to this money upon the basis OF Scholars in the
public schools. Without stopping to support
tins conclusion by any elaborate exposition of
the constitution upon this subject it must suf-
nee 1or present purposes to observe that the
provisions OF that instrument pertain solely to
system Of public schools and require the
legislature to establish them generally and
uniformly. 1t cannot he supposed that, while
imposing this duty, it was intended to attack
ana weaken the system by a basis of appor.
tionment which should be unaffected by the
number of pupils attending the public schools.
1t IS found that under the present law the
number Of sci olars enrolled in the city OF St.
Paul in 1874 in the public schools was 2,760,
while 1t reported Ii, Ill persons between the
ages of five and twenty -one years. The city
thus secured a basis Of apportionment over
five times the number of scholars enrolled.
The same advantages resulted to other large
towns i'll the state who have thus obtained an
undue proportion OF the school moneys at the
expense Of the rurel districts.
These subjects, with others presented by
this report, are commended to your attention.
THE STATE UNIVERSITY.
The university OF Minnesota has made sub
stantial progress during the year. There are
now two hundred and thirty seven students in
attendance. By the construction OF new build
lnGs and the important acquisition of labOra-
tory, geological cabinet and other instruments
OF instruction. the facilities of the university
have been very much increased.
The regents report that about thirty lone Sec
tions OF salt-spring lands are due to this State
from the United States under the act by which
Minnesota was admitted into the union, and
they recommend that the legislature memorial
ize Congress for leave t.. make selections OF
this quantity of land. have had occasion to
examine the facts upon which this claim is
based They are too complicated to admit of
no doubt of the entire justice Of the claim.
You viii! find full exposition of the facts in
the special report Of Prot. Winehell, which ac-
companies the report Of the board OF regents.
which will enable you to fully apprise our
senators and representatives in Congress of the
grounds upon which this demand is founded
From the financial statement the following
facts appear in relation to the permanent Uni
verslty fund:
Whole number OF acres granted by
congress. ........... 2O2, OOO
Acres sold topay debts ...... ........ $4,000
Acres sold for permanent fund. ...... 3s,626
Acres unsold. ........... ...... ...... 149, 374
The total productive permanent
The board concludes its report with an ap-
peal to the friends of education in all sections
OF the State to aid our youth in their efforts to
attain this free higher education which the
University OF Minnesota now offers, by making
the town and city schools conform their cour-
ses. as far as possible, so to prepare students
tor the University, aud in this way make our
school system complete and collegiate edu-
cation accessible to all.
In my annual message which have previ-
ously written, have urged the legislature to
tenn OF education, and regret that the present
accomplished.
When it is considered that the idea of self
government, made visible as it is in our re-
publican institutions, issvital only upon the
condition of free thought and the Judgment
OF electors acting upon the machinery OF state,
uncontrolled by any repressive influences, and
limited only by the capacity of the human
mind, the importance of the prerogative of the
State over the forces of education presents it.
self with such overwhelming force of demon
stration as to make the direction of these forces
to their fullest capacity primary duty of the
government.
STATE NORMAL SCHOOLS.
as detailed in the report Of the State board,
have been conducted in satisfactory manner
The enrolment Of the year. Average attendance
At Winona ........... 498 At Winona. ....... go