The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1877-01-10
Second Annual Message
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Gov. John s. Pillsbury.

Delivered to the minnesota Legislature Jan.
4.h, 1877.
tivcs:
The recurrence of q session OF your repre-
sentative bodies brings again the occasion tor
review of official transactiones since your
last assenbage, and tor a formal presentation
OF those subjects pertaining 10 the condition OF
the State, which claim your attention.
In the performance OF this duty repeat the
desire, expressed to You year ago, tor such
harmony and cooperation i'll all matters re-
quiring consideration, IS may facilitate the
prompt discharge eff orr duties and subserve
the public welfare.
RETROSPECTIVE.
While the year which has closed WIGS rnlrk-
ed by no striking features, either OF pr, sper-
ity or adversely, it has witnessed a nearer ap-
proach to failure OF orr chief agricultural
Staple than has yet been experienced in a ca
reer of singular prosperity. This, following
q wide prevalence and prolonged period Of in
dustrial paralysis and business depression,
coupled with renewed and extended ravages
of the locusts or grasshoppers, has wrought
encouragement among our peop(s and tended
to hinder their ext:ication from fnanaial en-
barrassment. Yet, il we are wise enough to
recognize the uses of adversely, to correct the
errors Of the past and to adapt ourselves tothe
adjustment Of better considered future, these
<8reVerses may be turned to our advantage
other than their leading product the people of
Minnesota, the past year, gathered bountitul
harvests, that they have been exempt from
pestilence and civil connection, that they are
in null enjoyment of peace and order, that
justice has been impartially administered and
the majesty Of the law vindicated, that the
burdens Of taxation are at length being de-
creased, that their educational interests have
been seduously cared for, that their various
charitable and retormatory institutions are in
faithful performance OF their beneteent work,
that the blessings OF civil and religious liber-
ty are enjoved in full measure, and, above all,
that following the dlssenSlCnS OF an exciting
campaign tor the choice of o national CHIEF
magistrate, with the issue yet in doubt, and
Involving lnomentouS interests, partizan ran
cor is happily giving place to dispassionate
considerations such multiplied evidences
of continued private and public welfare there
is abundant cause for grateful recognition OF
that ruling Providence in whose gracious
keeping are the Of destinies men and OF ra-
tons.
EDUCATIONAL
The condition OF pubic affairs will he pre-
scented to you in detail by the annual reports
OF the several departments and State ins,itu-
tons. OF these, perhaps, the department
fullest OF vital concern for an enduring public
welfare is that pertaining to our educational
interests. To exhibit at {. single view the
marvellous expansion of cur cOmmoa school
system, it Will suffice to contrast the few par
tioulars embraced in the first report of the Ter
ritorial Superintendent of Public Instruction,
made for the year 1851, with the correspond
ing items in the last State report for the year
1876, covering an interval of % years:
1851. 1876.
Whole number OF school dis
tr1ctS ...... -. Is 3ool
Whole number OF school
houses Sll9
Aggregate value of school
houses -. 49,. ...... $50. $3.50 2,763, 1874
Total enrolment Of scholars $50 Isl, $50
But, striking az these comparative figures
are, they give little idea of the actual improve
ment and efficiency of our common schools
under their existing supervision. For evidence
alton OF the whole subject of common school
education, commend to your careful atten-
ton the mastery report OF the Superintend-
ent OF Public Instruction. If the noblest APP
probation and the best practical management
result from a realization of the faults as we'll
as the merits OF our school system, Mr.. Burt
must be deemed an invaluable officer in the
responsible position he holds To his quick
discernment and forcible presentation OF the
subject we are chiefly indebted tor the salu-
tary change in the apportionment Of the
school funds Instead ct distribution upon
the basis OF the number of persons entitled to
attend, the number in actual attendance now
governs the apportio1lment. The Superin-
tendent. moreover, intimates that further
improvement may be found requisite by re-
quiring not only formal enrolment, as at
present, but an uninterrupted or aggregate at
tiOnment. The first and most obvious result
Of the change already effected, is to greatly
remedy that dilatory and random attendance
at our common schools which is one of the
principal obstacles to their SUCCESS. while such
Contamination will be still further forwarded
1,x,fh r,o
To distribute school money tor the benefit OF
those who are being actually educated by its
aid rather than to those who are entitled to
but neglect such aid, is at once obviously
equitable and direct inducement for better
school attendance. When parents and school
education but the means for promoting it, de-
pend upon more faithful and continuous at
tendance, it cannot but result advantageous
~ Tor all concerned. MIR. Burt's report
abounds in pertinent suggestions. Instead
Of dealing in the easy and discursive COM
mon places devoid Of practical application,
which is the besetting temptation to so many
educators, he pursues \ steadfast aim and
treats the subject in the incisive and vigorous
manner usually productive OF specific results.
Having proven his right to urge changes for
greater efficiency bespeak your careful and
dispassionate consideration OF his recommen~
datiOn for restoration OF uniform State
school tax with provision for its apportion-
1nent, as well as Of his cogent reasons tor the
measure.
We may indulge an honest pride in the
results already achieved with our common
schools and no reasonable effort should be
spared to perfect a system constituting one OF
the essential conditions to the perpetuation of
popular institutions. Our permanent school
fund has reached the sum OF about 81, 39O, 900,
ranking fifth in amount among those OF the
States of the Union. If the residue of the
school lands shall realize prices equal to those
heretofore obtained, our common school ell
dowment will eventually reach the majestic