The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1877-01-11

Enrolment. Attendance.
Winona, 468 400
Mankat0, 303 40
st. Cloud, go l65
This indicates diminished, total enroll
ment, but an increased average attendance
compared with tho 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
ft their pupils for any requirements which
may be made of them as teaohers, and in &C.
cordance with that educational theory which
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 special Board of
Regents were still engaged in rescuing its at
fairs from financial difficulties threatening ut
ter ruin, it's present comparatively prosper
Qua condition is . source of congratulation
ameng all friends of education. by the sale
Of comparatively small proportion Of the
lands granted it by Congress, the imdending
ruin was averted, and the remaining proper
ty 50 far freed from liens and other inc1lm.
brances, that it became feasible, in the year
1867, to put the institution into actual oper-
alton as a 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
brief 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
its progress or it's 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
not only themselves but the State, whose free
gilt they have shared. The actual enrolment
at the present time is . trif1e under 800, Of
whom over 100 are students Of 1ull collegiate
rank. From personal knowledge, to large
extent, take pleasure in saying that these
students, AZ rule, comprise the aspiring, ca
"ns and wS.hy young persons to whom the
safely be intrusted. 1t affords me no less sat-
isfaction to be able to recognize in the faculty
body OF men devoted to their profession,
labOring ZealOuAlY and harmOniOuslv to SUBJ
serve the highest interests OF the institution
with which they have allied themselves.
invite your attention to the various sug-
gestions embraced in the report OF the Board
purchase a 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 desire d that this addition to the
University grounds be made while the land
can he obtained at q comparatively low price !;
and should you deem the amount required
properly available tor the purpose recon-
l:lend that the desired appropriation be
made.
l, moreover, ask your special attention to
the late action Of the Board, relative to the re-
striction OF the preparatory instruction to
such students as cannot obtain the same in
the public schools of their own cities or dis.
tricts. This is further step towards the
abandonment OF all preparatory work to the
schools OF the State. It is based upon the ex-
pectation that our several high schools will
Generally 30 ARRANGE their courses OF study
a. to 1T students for college work III reason
aisle time, and thus I'll the chasm between
the common schools and the University. This
has clready been done to some extent, with
excellent results. and submit whether the
State might not advatageously lend its aid, to
limited degree, towards the high school tu-
ition Of pupils OF such neighbtoring districts
and towns as are destitute OF the advantages
Of such instruction.
PERHAPS the most inevitable conclusion to
which study of our school system leads is
the necessity that its various departmental
agencies and appointments should form aux
iliary parts OF q harmonious whole-that its
successive steps should constitute regular
graduation from the alphabet to collegiate ma
turlty, and that like the rills and streams,
which, however differing in character and va.
rying in course, reach common goal in the
ocean. the primary instruction Of the common
school should lead, by easy stages, to the
browning scholarship OF the University. All
alike are the gift OF the State to her people,
dictated by tho enlightened policy which
qulifies the citizen for the duties demanded OF
him and which sows and nourishes according
to the bounty Of tho expected harvest. In
nothing il supporting unity Of design and
action more essential to success. To adhere
to isolated plans, OF to persist in uuplanned
efforts without definite aim, Is to voluntarily
sacrifice for each the advantages which might
otherwise be combined tor the whole and its
parts.
To the end desired It H.. therefore, e.
sential that in every stage Of instruction and
in every Eariery Of school, the purpose or, At
least, the possibility of this ascending oontin-
uity should be constantly in view, and, es-
pecially, that the finishing course elsewhere
should lit pupils for freshmen at the Univer-
sity. This is essential to the highest efficiency,
whether in the lower or the higher branches.
It would save the time. labor and means now
comparatively wasted in special preparatory
schools, and furnish perennial supply Of
pupils to push forward, without interruption,
10 the coveted goal Of complete education.
The advantages are obvious to all concerned !;
and although, unhappily, the majority must
tall out by the way, diverted by the exieen-
t;ies Of business pursuits, Il should ever be 4