The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1877-01-10
l7O4l

LnuQk0LO, oVo AaO
St. Cloud, 2SJ 100
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
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 a complete
education.
STATE UNIVERSITY.
When we reflect that less than ten years
ago the University OF Minnesota had but a
nominal existence and that special Board of
Regents were still engaged in rescuing it's at
fairs from financial difficulties threatening ut
ter ruin, it's present paratively prosper
Gus condition is q source Of congratu!atiOn
amsng all friends of education. BY the sale
of Comparatively small proportion Of the
lands granted it by Congress, the imdending
ty 50 far freed from liens and other incum-
branoes, that it became feasible, in the year
1857, 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
briet period our university has been in oper-
alton, q comparison with similar institutions
OF greater age in our neighboring States OF the
Northwest, affords no cause to be ashamed of
its progress OF 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 free
gilt they have shared. The actual enrolment
at the present time is q triae under 500, of
whom over 100 are students OF 1ull collegiate
rank From personal knowledge, to a large
extent, take pleasure in saying that these
students, as a rule, comprise the aspiring, ca
pable and worthy, young persons to whom the
conduct of affairs in the course OF events may
safely be intrusted. Il affords me TO less sat
istaction to be able to recognize in the faculty
body OF men devoted to their profession,
laboring zealou:ly and harmOniouslv to SUBJ
serve the highest interests Of the institution
with which they have allied themselves.
invite your attention to the various sus-
gestions embraced in the report OF the Board
Of Regents An appropriation is asked for to
purchase Il corner Of land to obtain frontage
upon University avenue, which land is now
in process OF condemnation to that end. It is
greatly to be desire that this addition to the
University grounds be made while the land
can be obtained at a comparatively low price;
and should you deem the amount required
mend that the desired appropriation be
made
/, 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 a 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 so ARRANGE their courses OF study
as to fit students for college work in q reason
able time, and thus fill the chasm between
the common schools and the University. This
excellent results. and submit whether the
State might not advatageously lend its aid, to
a limited degree, towards the high school tu-
ition of pupils Of such neighb0rlng districts
and towns as are destitute of the advantages
ofsuch instruction. .-.r.
Perhaps the most inevitable conclusion to
which study of our school system leads is
the necessity that it's various departmental
agencies and appointments should form aux
i!lary parts OF a harmonious whole-that its
successive steps should constitute regular
graduation from the alphabet to collegiate ma
tur1ty, and that like the rills and streams,
which, however differing in character and va
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 the enlightened policy which
qrlifies the citizen for the duties demanded of
him and which sows and nourishes according
to the bounty Of the expected harvest. In
hSvaTv 10 If
action more essential to success. To adhere
to isolated plans, or to persist in uuplanned
efforts without definite aim, is to voluntarily
sacrifice for each the advantages which might
otherwise be combined for the whole and its
parts.
To the end desired it is, therefore, es.
sential that in every stage of instruction and
in every yariery Of school, the purpose or, at
least, the possibility of this ascending conttn-
uity should be constantly in view, and, es-
peci&lly, that the finishing course elsewhere
should tit pupils for freshmen at the Univer-
sity This is essential to the highes efficiency,
whether in the lower or the higher branches.
comparatively wasted in special preparatory
schools, and furnish u perennial supply OF
pupils to push forward, without interruption,
to the coveted goal Of complete education
The advantages are obvious to all concerned i;
and although, unhappily, the majority must
tall out by the way, diverted by the exigen-
leading and cherished object of our education
al system to afford, at least, standing oppor-
tunity to the more fortunate land persistent
tor an unobstructed pursuit The pathway
OF learning from the beginning to the end of a
complete education.
invoke at your hands such fostering care
of the educational interests of the State a.
| will ensure growth commensurate with q
proud material development and be adequate
to the wants OF an expanding future.
! sTATB FINANCES.
4 An exhibit of the financial transactions a
the year and OF the present Condition. of Thu