Morris tribune., 1881-01-13

the sum of 1914, 695 has been repaid I ask your
attention to the several statements and recon-
mendatlons embraced in the report Of the state au-
ditor, which evince continuance of the same as
siduous care which has distinguished the manage
ment Of his department.
EDUCATION
The condition Of the several educational interests
OF the State Is clearly set forth by the comprehen
sive report of the superintendent of public instruc
ton, covering the two years ending August 81,
1850 The valuable historical resume contained
IN the last annual report is completed by the add
ton of brief sketch of the earliest public efforts
in behalf of education, and of those of the five years
mterregnum, during which the system was without
separate head. The few particulars thus rescued
from oblivion, however meager, form part of the
educational history of the State. They indicate the
wisdom of its founders in looking to popular intell
gence as one of the first conditions of durable
commonwealth and serve as a measure Of growth
for the proud results of after years.
To the usual review of the several educational
institutions under State supervision, the superin
tendent has added reports from various denomina-
tional colleges, and parochial, commercial and pri
waite schools throughout the State While there is no
provision of law requiring or contemplating reports
from such institutions, the information thus volun
teered by them is valuable aid to the more COM
plete presentation of all educational in
terests in a condensed and convenient form,
commendable movement thus begun will be so gem
orally followed in future that the superintend-
mt may be enabled to embody in each report COM
plete exhibit of all the educational institutions and
interests within the State The total enrolment in
our common schools it will be seen, was III ,945
in 1879, and 1SO,24S in 1850, showing an increase
of 12,433 for the two wears.
The average attendance throughout the State
during the former year was 60 per cent. of the
total enrolment, while the average length of all the
schools was 6-lO months in 1879, and Z 10 in
1880. The number of school districts in 1880 was
4.244; school houses, 3,G93 and teachers 5,2l5.
The value OF school houses and sites is given at
SIS, ,2lO for 1880. Exclusive of salaries paid
superintendent and principals of high schools in
the leading cities, the average monthly wages OF
teachers in 1850 was $3.50. % for males and
1878 for females. The total cost of schools for
1880 was ST ,32S, 42S 80 being an average of
$7.S7 for each enrolled scholar. comparison of
these results with corresponding figures of former
wears exhibits gratifying progress in all the branches
of common school education land its facilities) !;
but it only partially indicates the i'm
proved conduct of schools and their
better instruction and higher aims
which are largely due to the zeal. sagacity and
watchfu care of the superintendent. Perhaps one
agency has proved productive of good results as
teachers institutes which have been held in thirty
different counties during the past two years. for an
aggregate duration of sixty-ive weeks. The CO.
operation of normal school principals and teachers
in this work is found TO be mutually advantageous
and the beneficial results of these assemblages of
instructors, thus aided. with the accompanying
lectures have been so marked that cordially en-
dorse the recommendation that one teacher be
maintained by the State in each of the normal
schools special service in aiding the conduct of
these institutes
am impeed to dissent from the we'll Unknown
views of the SUPERINTENDENT regarding the Merrill
textbook law. SO-calIed Unfair attemDt is
made to represent the trivial mishaps, DELAYS and
OMISSIONS incident to its practical operaon as seri-
Gus defects Inherent in its character Without
going into extended remarks upon the sui
iect il is but silnpe iustice TO saw that in spte
| of some crude ami complicated provisions of the
law and the reuctant snnDort it has received The
net result is substantial achievement of the great
ness and uniformity of school books The
whole number of these school books furnished
hy the contractor since the law went into oneration
Sc, .l,o
| hands of the people has been Isl 1881. The same
| quantity of the books of corresponding numbers
which were in general MS. when This law was en-
acted at prices then prevailing would have cost the
| neople ST l475T showing a saving of S24O e06
or these same text books at the present list prices
prevailing in other States would have cost the peo-
pe of Minnesota eyceDt for the contract under this
law the sum of $3.50 536 showing a net SAVING of
SIoG,5s5. besides the expenses and annoyances in
fcted by FREQUENT and arbitrary changes of hooks
and by removals of scholars from one district to an
other As against practical results of this char
acter it is re pectfuy submitted that the petty in
conyeniences losses or Earrings experienced under
| the law are unworthy of serious consideration
And now that the law is to stand at least for an
| other term of five years with machinery and ap-
piapces in practical working order il is to be honed
that all parties conce, ned will aid its lust oneration
| by such prompt and cheerful obedienee to its re-
otirements as will ensure the best practical results,
| 10 this end it is not impossible that the law
! might be simnIied with the consent of the con-
| tractor SO as to be more easy of execution Much
of the opposition to this law has resulted from a
n
quality am Informed by those who onnose the
law and bv competent Judges that this is mistake
that the series Introduced under the Merrill law as
whole are fully eoual if not super;or tn any class
! of school books now in use
As "a question of policy and profit affecting the
splendid endowment of our common school system,
| direct your attention to the pronrietv of 50
amending the law governing the investment of the
uermanent school fnn6 thai other than the lnited
securities now prescribed may be employed in its
| future accommodations The nre,niums now, com
| manded by United States and other first-cass
bonds are so great that the nnrchasa of them re-
suts in net Interest," recent of less than four ner
cent On an averape mich Iarear nrafit conId he
| obtained by an investment in county school dis
| trict municnaI and other valid bonds in this
be made bv enlarginp the hoard of Investment and
renuirnq fhe assent of ali its memhars to IT, f
action.
Having personally visited our thraa normal
schools can snsat advisable of The imnrora t
methods and practical efficiency which tbeir gra51
ates impart to the popular instruction afforded nv
our common schools The growing population Of
me state increases the demand on these schools for
competent teacners ana ID view or the AID fur
nished by them IN conducting teachers institutes
thro9enout the otate, recommend that the total
sianGilg appropT!aIons Lor tnese schools be sum.
clehtiy increased to cover additional expenses A
terrlIc nurrlcane IN uhe iaSt unrooled ana damaged
the pulloing anu uemollshed the towers OF the
aormal seno2i at ManSatG, and producing
al emergency tnat threatened tne entlre rum OF the
eulnce. 10 avert this a,saster prompt acton was
f ad anu aceorunsly upon my auvlce new
- - 80 $50 10y iIe 20 VIZ Eaue, 1ne coss
TIL i a, It; meot t d apI,oprlatlol .
ano law ~ ieia.ion W nlsneI euucdion mas
tV; era tb W co a 9estleute OF
1nr rs .G 1919 eai
go io. papls nave atehueu Tue schOos
$500 ~ + i,ie p .h lie "a 5u.ion Suaises, WINE
;; ~ G hS. " &c hi anu ane uis.lic's e!-
!oslns tiie pene's vi tne ntgneE graues, bhe uni,
IargaIv IN tho common scboos tbns IapSin 80 ~
adhesion to the Successive stems of onr sd,ce+noi
system Some of the amanGatorv ac+S boaa nnt
nrodnced the results desired and The iar msd ~
he reriSad for greater atfin;snnv Tb 20" HJ bI
take an academcsl nsce in o,r s,era e i
strncton and "a thev nead the snecal id ~ ~
State 7 rennmuend on onnronr;at;on for tha;r o
timed snnnnrt ~ p-'i Aoi 'neii 'oi
The first biennial ranort of tho hoard ~ -e,.rt.
will acnnsint Won With The cnndtion d aa,
Of the State university have beretafor iISS
TO the GROWING stab;litv and widanng scnne 81 H.
institution It has been the aim of its officres and
faculty to render it in Just and practical sense
the crown and fulfllment of our educational sys-
tenn. Looking to that end, its emergence from
belnless embarrassment q. , o5;.;, -. .z,.:
usefulness is a sonrce of grt;8tion ~ ~ tis
of educotion WL " l =: " ~ =. - ieu NJ
dictate Of obyons nocv tn fae th is .ie
condition rnnst cop1; -. p .e . IN ~
is beliered that ~ eh T. " a a sui II
liar institntions IN o 49, q S.t op paee Will siln
af - e:,:.: - oi 'iStci oto'es' al eniafseueHt