Stevens County tribune. (Morris, Minn.) 1877-1880, 1879-01-16

Leaving balance In treas
8 ls,4ss 10
l,5s2,Oss7

ury Dec. !, 1878. ...... A8499 10
The treasurer states that In consequences of prompt
tax collections he was enabled to redeem In August
last $sO,0v0 Of the temporary seed grain loan which
$1,000 "a interest bearing warrants outstanding at
the close Of the year.
EDUCATION.
The superintendent Of public instruction has rem
dered excellent service to the Of general edu
cation by giving such shape to his lest report as
makes 1t substantially an educational history Of the
State. 1t is resume in which will be found concise
statements of the Congressional land grants the va
rious formative and amendatory acts Of State legis-
laton, and the practical trials and triumphs out of
tenn Intermingled with the recital Of facts are
tinent observations touching the and effects
Of the successive changes, evincing dscernment at
once of present needs and of the scope and necess
ties of the widening future. 1t Is with the remein-
brance of the early difficulties and dangers with
which our educational interests repeatedly be-
set that their present firm footing and assured future
are cause of special qualification. The good effects
OF the law apportiohing current funds upon ENROLL
ment rather than upon numerical basis, continues
to be shown In various ways.
Teachers institutes amounting to thirty-one weeks
have been held Ia eighteen different counties with
an aggregate attendance of l,2s3 teachers of our
pubic schools: 1t is noticeable that some twenty
county superintendent spoke In their reports of III
beneficial results of these institutes and commend the
plan OF employing the principals and instructors of the
normal SCHOOLS to teach In them in connection with
other experienced institute instructors The super-
mtendents report contains full account of this inn
porant work, which will be read with interest BY the
friends OF progress in public school teaching.
Under the so-called Merrill text book law as
amended astwinter, about onethird of the districts
had ordered books of the contractor the 18th of
November last The demand for them increases as
districts come to replace wornout books In prior
The Introduction of the new books Is thus gradual
and Is estimated that in about fortyfour districts
In one hundred they have been more or less intro.
duced. They give general satisfaction, and there is
reason to believe they will come into general use
within the time prescribed by law. Their average
cost per district has thus far been $27.6l.
The act for the encouragement of higher educa-
ton enacted by the last legislature is favoraby no.
tced by the superintendent who gives cogent rea-
sons for It's support well as for needed amendments
which are commended to your attention. Charles s.
Bryant, ESQ.,, was appointed to complete the Singh
school board and was also selected its secretary
He entered zeaousy upon his duties for the faithful
performance of which he is tted by long experience
and rare devotion to educational interests In the
superntendents report tables given showing that
pupils have undergone examination in sixteen
schools applying for the benefits of the act and that
applications from twenty additional schools await ex-
animation. The operation of the law bids fair to
justify the most sanguine hopes of its friends in
hllng the gap which has prevented the connecting
grades and efficient unity so long desired in edu-
cational system.
The effects of the improved courses Of studies and
OF the more thorough work in our normal schools
continue to be seen in the more practical results
achieved The report of the State normal board rep
resens that an increasing proportion of the gradu-
ates of these schools is being annually sought for
fill positions in the highest grades of teaching; and
1t Is claimed that while none of our sister States
hibit more economical or efficient management of
these schools, in no State they more advanced.
earnestly request your attention to the represent
atoms of the board, respecting the necessity for
certain repairs in the school building at Winona.
Nothing has been expended upon this building for re-
pairs since Its erection ten years ago. and this ne
gect endargers the whole structure as is reported
in consequence Of the decayed and leaky condition
of the roof, would to be but the dictate of
wise precauton to take that prompt action which will
avoid the large expenditures to be demanded to
rescue valuable property from needless destruction
Your attention is asked also to the wants of the
schools at Mankato and St. Cloud set forth by the
board.
1 deem it unnecessary at present to add anything
to the statements heretofore made relative to the
condition of the State university. The stable foot
ing The institution has now attained. and the annually
charging sphere of its usefulness give promise that
with the broad groundwork afforded by richly en-.
dowed common Schools the educational facilities OF
our young State will keep pace with the proud march
OF her material development.
STATE PRISON.
me report Of the State prison inspectors shows
Slcreased average number in confinement durine
the year.
The current expenses were $46,2SS.T4 and the
earnings S23 &c. being net cost for maintenance
OF $50, 1926 or S1O0.36 per convict, which is de
crease from the cost OF the preceding year. and ex.
hibits continuance of the economical management
which has heretofore characterized the institution
The improvements for which appropriation was
made by the last legislature have been completed,
and there are now accommodations for 296 convicts,
an excess Of the number in actual
confinement at the close of the year. The current
$685. in addition to which sum exceeding S45-
900 Is requested for various purposes specified.
While no reasonable expenditure requisite to the
best management of the existing prison should be
withheld, feel renewed conviction that steps look
Ing to the erection of another prison should not be
longer delayed, and therefore earnestly renew my
recommendation of last year upon this subject. The
reasons then urged for this action remain in uninn.
paired force For due attention to all considerations
involved in o matter of such importance much time
Is required for preliminary work in testing the rela
tive merits OF prison improvements, in the selection
OF site, adoption Of plans and other preparations
while the process of construction Is necessarily 9
work of time. If it be not commenced at this SEES
sion two years must eapse before any action bt
taken, which cannot but believe will prove an un
wise delay, the full capacity of the present prison
will probably then have been nearly quite reached
Another consideration worthy of mention is the op
portunity which another prison will afford for th,
greater separation of the more hardened criminals
from new offenders. which has been followed b,
salutary results in other States. The advantages
t site before recommended for the new structure
near the granite quarries at Sank Rapids, in clos
proximity to abundant timber supplies, are obvious
situation is at once central safe and convenient
anordlng an opportunity for the employment of con
wet labor in the heavy work of preparing and moving
building materials without bringing 1t into that com
petition with honest labor which is justly felt to be
grievance. The employment of convict labor great
~ reduced the cost of the Illinois State prison a
Chester, and the Iowa prison at Anamosa: and
has moreover been found that certain classes of
V1cts can be advantageousy employed In ra1smg veg
etabes and other products where the site affords
land and opportunity for the purpose.
STATE INSTITUTIONS.
The condition OF the several eleemosynary and
other institutions supported by the State is thorough
y set forth by their respective annual reports which
anord ample classified statistics and statements Of
their transactions, wants and prospects.
The State reform school makes is twelfth anuua
repor from which 1t appears that it has received So
Doys SINCE Its commencement in 1865, of which IA
were inmates the past year The increase of facill
es Tor teaching the useful arts is attended with sau
tary results, large portion Of the discharged in
mates peing not only reformed in conduct but for-
neo against temptation by mechanical instruction
"nich speedily enables them to find honest employ
ment. 10 far as known ct least 95 per cent. of all
VINO go out Of the institution saved from crimina
Aves The corrective and durable influences, and the
admiral 9 financial management of the institution
entitle it to the cordial support Of the State and
renew my former recommendations that it be placed
upon footing similar to that of the other institutions
owned and controlled by the State.
Ihe sixteenth annual report of the institution for
the deaf dumb and blind shows that the total attend
ance during the year was l29, of whom lO8 were in
the department for deaf mutes and 81 In that for the
blind The new pupils admitted in both departments
during the year numbered eighteen. The general
health has been excellent, and no death occurred
during the year. The report shows that the school
Is divided into six intellectual and 1--WE industrial
casses and the benecia. results of varied and
practical instruction. afford additional proof that to
unite thinking brain with skIllful hand is the
way toe elevate labor" There is continued evidence
that class of unfotunates who peculiarly touch the
sympathies of the humane, receive competent and
faithful care under the present management Of the
institution. :.
The rapidly increasing necessities for the proper
care of the insane will again claim your prompt A.
tention. The twelfth annual report of the hospital
shows that $50 patients under treatment ct the
close Of the year, being an increase Of 81 OF the
whole number of inmates 100 remain in the temporary