The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1881-01-14
TuE PUBLIC AND NORMAL SCHOOLS.

In his recent message Governor Hoyt
speaks Of the schools as follows
The State is carrying on its system of
public instruction in three directions Pub.
lie schools, normal schools, aud the soldiers
orphans schools The report of the Super
intendent of Public Instruction, DIR. J. p.
Wickersham, will receive your careful stten-
ton His views and recommendations are
entitled to your consideration, by virtue of
his long. Intelligent and effective service,
and his very extensive experience with
public schools in our own State iu other
States, and in the Old World. 1t is most
gratifying that he reports the organization
of the common schools more complete than
ever before "iu all departments character
lied by vigorous ii ie and progressive
spirit" The whole number of graded schools
is 7,037-the number of schools not graded,
1l,6lS. The total number of pupils on the
rolls Is 1910, with an average attendance
of n per cent. The expenditures OF all kinds
for tae year ending June, lSS0,n including
orphan or normal schools,were 81, ,4S2, ,57775
The value of the school property of the State
is $25, ,467,0 ,097. The total Indebtedness
| OF all the school districts in the State,
including those 10 CITIES and boroughs, is
only 81 GAS, ACC, awhile there remain lie the
various treasures of the dist. lets, balances
amounting TO 81 ,425, ,2l3 l6 These are salts.
factory figures, and indicate the permanent
value which this agency of progress holds In
the minds of the people.
NORMAL SCHOOLS.
The condition of the normal schools and OF
their property will require your notice.
There have been tweniy-nine hundred stu
dents in attendance during the past year
The value of their property is estimated al
81, 965, ,995l7..
The schools are ten in number. In theiI
establishment, there may be set down a.
contributed by private subscriptions s400, ,0OC
The State has contributed for grounds, bull
dings and apparatus, up to the year 1878
S645, 900. The debts of the schools may b.
put at s25O,700. The appropriations by th'
State to these schools has, for some years
been 100000 annually. By mere arbitrary
mode of distribution, and no other seemec
feas BILE, this sum has been parcelled ou
equally-$10, 900 to each. For these SUM
liens have been taken in favor of the State
They have been compelled to use their ap
preparations in paying old floating debts, o.
, 10 keeping down interest op the mortgages
and other liens against them. Resources
which should expended in the active con-
duct cf the schools are thus absorbed In the
reduction of debts which cripple them /; ant
this reduction is not being accomplished IL
the best and most economical manner tor tn,
State or the schools. Besides, the annual ap
preparation has tendency to induce tn,
belief that it is to be permanent relief, anC
weskens the administration and efficiency o
the system.
The correct policy for the State now Il
adopt will be to pay of the entire endebt
edness of the normal schools; and so far as
surrender of the rights of shareholders ant
: contributions can be secured, place the own
ersbp of the several properties and all liens
: in the State. After such provision in tbei
behalf, the schools ought to be self supper
ting, aud doubtless will become so. No fur
ther aid from the State should thereafter b,
expected by them.