The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1877-01-11
1O41


This indicates a diminished total enroll |
ment, but an increased average attendance
compared with the preceding year. !
In view OF the TACT that latin is now being |
taught in no less than sixteen OF the public
schools of the State, | submit that early pro-
vision should be made for instruction In that
language in our Normal schools, in order to
tit their pupils for any requirements which
may be made of them as teachers, and IN ac-
cordance with that educational theory which
wisely recognizes the several branches as CO.
operating aids to the attainment OF complete
education.
STATE UNIVERSITY.
When we reflect that less than ten years
ago the University OF Minnesota had but
nominal existence and that especial Board OF
Regents were still engaged in rescuing its al
fairs from financial difficulties threatening ut
ter RUM its present comparatively prosper
GUS condition is a source OF cOngratuiatlon
ameng all friends Of education. BY the sale
of comparatively small proportion OF !he
lands granted it by Congress, the lmdending
ruin was averted, and the remaining proper
ty so far freed from liens AMI other incum
brances, that it became feasible, in the year
1867. to put the institution into actual Oper
alton as preparatory school. Two years
later, in 1869, the first college class was
| formed and faculty organized. From the
| first the progress of the institution has been
steady and continuous. Considering the
| briet period our university has been in Oper-
alton. a comparison with similar institutions
of greater age in our neighboring States OF the
| Northwest, affords no cause to be ashamed OF
it's progress or its condition. Over one thou
sand youth from all quarters OF the State
have been trained and instructed within our
University halls, and have gone forth to the
activities Of lite, stronger and ADLER to serve
| not ONLY themselves but The State, whose Tree
gilt they have shared. The actual enrolment
| ut the present time is tribe under Jul, OF
whom over 100 are students OF rull collegiate
rank From personal knowledge, to large
extent. take pleasure in saying that these
students, as rule, comprise the aspiring, Ca
pable and worthy young persons to whom the
conduct of affairs in the course OF events may
safely he intrusted. 1t affords me no less sat
isfaction to be able to recognize In the faculty
a body of men devoted to their profession,
laborng zealously and harmoniouslv to sub
serve the highest interests OF the institution
| with which they have allied themselves.
| Iinvit.- your attention to the various sug-
gestions embraced in the report OF the Board
81 Regents. An appropriation is asked for to
purchase corner OF land to obtain frontage
upon University avenue, which land is now
in process OF condemnation to that end. 1t is
greatly to be desr. that this addition to the
University grounds be made while the land
can be Obtained at comparatively low price
and should you deem the amount required
properly available tor the purpose recon-
laend that the desired appropriation bs
made.
the late action of the Board, relative TO the re
, strction OF the preparatory instruction t.
, such students as cannot obtain the same II
, the public schools Of their own cities or dis
tri ts This is further step towards thu
abandonment OF all preparatory work to thu
r schools OF the State. 1t is based upon the ex
pectaton that our several nigh schools vii
I generally so ARRANGE their courses OF study
as To fit students Tor college work i'll o reason
able time, and thus fill the chasIn between
I the common schools and the University. Thi
' has already been done to some extent, will
E excellent results, and submit whether tin
e State might not advatageously lend Its aid, t
h a limited degree, towards the high school tn
/ ition of pupils OF such neighboring district
and towns as are destitute of the advantage
II of such instruction.
) Perhaps the most inevitable conclusion I
o which study of our school system leads
y the necessity that its various departments
r agencies and appointments should form aux
j ilIary parts OF q harmonious whole-that II
y successive steps should constitute q reguls
) graduation from the alphabet to collegiate ms
: tur,ty, and that like the rills and streams
y which. however differing in character and VI
f rying in course, reach . common goal III tn
ocean, the primary instruction OF the commo
i school should lead, by easy stages, 10 II
!, browning scholarship OF the University A
y alike are the gift OF the State to her peopl
d dictated by the enlightened policy whic
"a uulifies the citizen for the duties demanded
J. him and which sows and n0ufishes aocordli
Dr. to.the bounty Of the expected harvest
ID nothing is : supporting unity OF design n
n action more essential to success. To adhe
te to isolated plans, or to persist in uuPlann.
n efforts without definite aim, is to v0luntasl
ne sacrifice for each the advantages which mig
otherwise be combined for the whole and
ne parts.
IN To the end desired it is, therefore,
be sen,ial that in every stage of instruction q
OF in every variery of school, the purpose or,
of least, the D stability of this ascending cont
'ol uity should he constantly in view, and,
NJ, pecially, that the finishing course elesewhs
be should fit pupils for freshmen at the UNIV
he sity This is essential to the highest ef6cien'
,sc whether in the lower or the higher branch
n 1t would save the time, labor and means n
tic comparatively wasted in special preparaft
schools, and furnish . perennial supply
til pupils to push forward, without interrupu'
has 10 the coveted goal of . complete educate
n The advantages are obvious to all concerne
lg- and although, unhappiiy, the majority m
ye- tall out by the way, diverted by the ex1gs
its cies of business pursuits, it should ever
I'm leading and cherished object of our educate
IN al system to afford, at least, . standing opp
as- tunity to the more fortunate and persist
l IN 1ho runfhy