Morris tribune., 1883-01-11
For additional heating and

| honSB:, water supply. ..... $500 90 $4,000 90
For lightning and repairs. ........ 2l.000 %
| For new wing with furn-
| ture . $1,000 90
The average weekly cost of maintenance per
capita was $3. 70 and 3d. 80 for s9l and 1882 re-
spectiVely at st. Peter, and 81 and 81 at Roch-
| ester.
The cash value Of farm products are given G.
| $279S4 SO at ST. Peter, and SO, 1880 a. Roch-
ester, for the two years.
| In August last designated number of citizens
OF the state, distinguished for their acquaintance
| with, and interest heretofore manifested in the
subject OF public charities and reforms, to repre-
sent the State at the national conference OF chari
| ties and corrections, held in Madison, Wis They
discharged the trust with which they were dele
gated with great credit to themselves and the State
invite your attention to their report which will
| be submitted to you.
Among those best informed in regard to the char
table and correctional institutions of the several
States the opinion apparently prevails that there
should be in every State board of State charities
by which general information and thorough inspec-
tton can be had of all charitable and correctional
work. These boards have been established in niue
States. the most noted for their excellent charitable
and penal institutions, and others are now consid
erlng the question OF adopting this system. These
boards, acquatnting themselves with the institu.
lions OF their several States, and their necessities,
become the medium Of communicating to the legis-
| lature whatever relates to their management
| and tleir pos ,ible improvement. The
local boards of trustees Of the various institutions
| are not superseded: with them rest the same re-
possibilities and duties as before. but In the dis
charge thereof tn ~ are aided by such advisory
Deryison. The system in various States differs In
some particulars. being advisory IN some and ad-
lnnistrative in Others. The weight of opinion now
| inclines to favor making these boards advisory
rather than executive aud that their purpose should
be to keep the public and the legislature fully adj
vsed of the condition and needs OF the institutions
| subject to their supervision.
| These boayds are found to be mes. effective
| when they serve without compensation, their ex'
penses simply being met by the State Such q
board. If selected with proper care being wholly
non political and composed OF men OF acknowledged
ability and information. who would render this serv-
| Ice from their interest In public reform
| atory and penal institutions would. from
| st1dy OF the charitable systems and
| institutions elsewhere, soon become an authority
what Is best and most necessary for their own
| sta.e. They would inform THEMSELVES as to the
| eond ioa and management Of county a!mshonses,
jas, reformatories etc. and become not only ut to
inspect, criicise and supervise the MANAGEMENT OF
such institutions, but competent to advise as to
what may be necessary in securing their enlceDcy
EDUCATION.
The continued development OF the educational
interests Of the State has been commensurate with
its growth II other respects. The report OF the
superintendent Of public instruction Is replete with
valuable Instructions looking TO the perfection OF
our system of education which Is already the pride
of every citizen Though the slperintendents
criticism Of some features of the management OF
our common schools under existing laws aud prac-
tees, would indicate there is yet room for improve
ment in directions suggested, yet the facts estab-
shed by the statistical exhibits and other tnforma-
ton furnished by his report, assurance that
our system is gradually but surely attaining that
degree of perfection which was the hops of its
) founders and which will prove the browning glory
Of the commonwealth.
There has been an increase in the enrolment In
our public schools during the past two years OF
%, 63S, the total being 1876 238 in 1882 against
l73,6OO in 1880. There have been erected 567
school buildings at cost Of $759,022. The total
number of school houses now in use is given at
1890, valued at $3.947,s57. There has been
secured $3. 766, 665.79 and expended 1884
S66.49 on account of public schools during the
past two years The magnificent permanent school
fund of the State which it is estimated will amount
to 81 600 900 when the lands all sold, will con-
stitute endowment that will place our system OF
popular education upon most enduring basis. The
various recommendations of the superintendent win
command your attention and need not be
capituiated here. I especially concur however, in
the recommendation that the pr sition of county
superintendent be no longer political Office.
The three norma schools ara now demonstrating
their value and efficiency an adjunct of our edu
cationa system. The State is realizing upon its in
yesmeht in these institutions In manner that
promises ample returns for their cost and care The
influence of the well-trained teachers supplied by
these schQQls 10 apparent in the improved methods