The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1877-01-18
GOV. PILLSBURY'S MESSAGE.

The message of Gov. Pillsbury was do
livcrcd to the Joint Convention of the tive
houses on the morning of the 4th. The fol.
lowing Is o synopsis:
The Governor said the year which had passed
had witnessed nearer approach to fai ure of oMr
chief agricultural staple than had yet been expert
enced in career of singular prosperity. This,
Following wide prevalence and prolonged period
Of industrial paralysis and business depression.
coupled wi h renewed and extended ravages Of the
locusts or grasshoppers, had wrought discourage
extricatiOn from financial embarrassment. Yet
If the people would be wise enough to correct the
errors Of the past and adapt themselves to the adj
verses might be turned to tn ir advantage. As .
whole there was abundant cause for gratefully
recognizing that ruling Providence in whOse
hands are the destinies of men and nations
As illustrative of the marvellous expansion Of the
school system Of the State the Governor contrasted
the few particulars embraced in the first report Of
the Territorial Superintendent Of Public lnstruc.
tiOn made Tor the year 1851, with the correspond
ing items in the State report for the year 1876 COW
erng an interval of twenty-five years. as follows:
Whole number of school districts IS sis
Whole number Of school houses. 1851
Aggregate value Of Sc houses. s276s, 49,
Total enrolment of scholars. $50 ISL 1855
But, striking as these comparative figures are,
they give little idea of the actual improve
ment and efficiency of our common schools
under the existing supervision. The change
in the apportionment Of the School
fund was commended. Instead of distribution
upon the basis of the number of persons entitled
to attend. the number in actual attendance now
governs the superintendent. A further improve
ment may be found requisite by requiring not
only formal enrolment, as ut present. but an I'M
interrupted or aggregate attendance the measure
of monetary app rtiOnment. The first and most
obvious result of the change already effected is
greatly remedy that dilatOry and random attend
ance ut our common schools which is one Of the
principal obstacles to their success. while such
contamination will be further forwarded by the
additional requirements suggested.
To distribute school money for the benefit Of
those who are being actually educated by its aid
rather than to those who entitled TO but neglect
such aid, it is at once obvious equitable and
di ect inducement for better school attendance.
When parents and school managers realize that
not only the benefits of education but the means
for promoting it. depend upon more faithful and
continuous attendance, it cannot but result ad-
vantageously for all concerned. The permanent
school fund has reached the sum of about g. 800
0O0. ranking fifth in amount among those of the
States of the Union. II the residue of the school
lands shall realize prices equal o those hereto
fore obtained. our common school endowment
will eventually reach the majestic figure of $2s,-
O O0W.
The report of the Commissioner of Statistics is
especially commended. especially upon those por-
tons relating to grain, stock raising and tree
planting In respect 10 wheat the following figures
are given: