The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1882-12-28
fascinated at 81 per cent shove enrolment


the school population, one-third are engaged
in come Industry, Thus leaving the actual num-
school education out Of 216, 600 who should
be doing so.
NEW SCHOOL HoUsEa
During the two years 567 new school houses
have been built; giving the State a
The ifs total valuat,on Of school house property
in 1892 s Il, g S5 increase over that
" The tH total expenditure for education in 1882
will be So. 10000. OF this the amount
raised by tax is $1,slO.2s2. The average
6tate tax for Ill educational purposes in 1882
was 512 mills. The average State tax for
teachers wages was 312 mills. The valuation
Of the taxable property Of the State is $685..
n 1852 tofty .e institute, have
Of 2, 151 teachers. whose average age was
The move Of tho legislature of 1881 to make
link between the common school and the uni
versity or college has proven happy one.
The results Of tho first year indicate that the
plans Of the high school board will prove
economical and wholesome. The report says:
The appropriation Is now about equal to the de-
For the present year, schools have been accepted
under the supervision of the board. which, If they
all pass final inspection, win exhaust the fund ap-
three years upon condition Of meeting the reQuire-
ments For the future, it will DO necessary either
to gradually increase the amount. or for the board
not provided for. In any case it Is quite important
TO the success Of this plan that the frat stress be
laid upon the high character and grade OF the work
DONE
The attendance In normal schools Ia larger
than ever. They are thoroughly established
H. ~$> @1n%s@ - thn ~
large. The attendance this year in the three
schools has been LOTT. The number Of
graduates, 40, and the total number Of grad
yates ia 0O7
For the year ending March 10, 1882, the
value Of text books sold through this depart
BY local dealers was 1886, 1856 SO, the amount
sold by local dealers having increased As per
cent ard the amount sold through the depart
meut having decreased about 40 per cent
Under this head the superintendent says:
Tho reports Of county superintendeuts upon tho
books of the State series are in general use an
giving general satisfaction. superintendent gen.
orally agree that the list 10 incomplete in the lack
ology. have accordingly asked the contractor to
supply these books for the eeries The provision
of the law, however. which contemplated an annual
clerk has proven largely imDract:cabls. and is in.
operative, for the reason that many cler. E.f1'se
to assume tho necessary responsibility. The re-
that tho plan Of supplying books through district
clerks 10 decidedly Objectionable. 1 recommend
that the law be, in this particular. amended to
plan which shall be Just and reasonable; and that
Whatever Is done should be in harmony WITH rather
school officers Of the proatess anncyanoss Of book
COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT
The number Of county super1ntendente II
the State is se7enty-three, and OF examiners two
The number Of certificates granted was 3, 1884,
The cost Of the supervision OF schools was
S33, 740
On the subject of county superintendents
the compiler says:
The history Of tho superintendency. provee. be-
yond question, that In every county in which this
Office has been well filed. there is no officer more
highly esteemed. OF more indispensable than tho
On the other hand, county without ssuperl1-
tendent 10 left to the influences OF Its own low stand
ard: without efficient examinations. and 10 subject
nate on that low intellectual plane.
II there 10 anything more mischtevous than no
spps'inteudsnt 4 T. On ignorant and ;2ecie9t one
psthy With progressive spirits. and uses big posi-
ton to hinder what he ought to advance. TO ad-
vanceis to leave him behind: to gain light 10 to ex-
pose his darkness.
recommend as the best which tho experience Of
other States furnishes, the following:
]. That the county superintendent be chosen Tor
= term Of three years, at meeting In which every
school board shall be represented by one Of its
members.
2. That reasonable qualifications OF scholar.
ship and experience be required as qualification
for the Office.
5. That the duties be more carefully defined.
4. That provision be made for removal by The
governor, OF the iiterate. the immoral, and the
inefficient.
10 raise the standard OF teachers, it is REQ
commended that teachers holding certificates
lower than the second grade cannot be profit
ably employed; and that the third grade should
DO considered exceptional, and employed only
to meet the emergencies Of scarcity and small
pay.