The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1885-01-15

the state are completed; 90s, 145 acres Of
this have been sold at an average Of So. OF
per acre. Estimated upon this basis, the
common school fund will ultimate,,- r.ol,.e
over ST 900. 900 from t. ,is sourca This
will probably be Increased to 500. 600 600
by sale O. swamp lands inuring to this fund
2. Ter prior grants are satisfied The perma-
ne university grant has 93. OSl acres yet to
lations of its fund to fully 81, 900, 900. and
ultimately constitute an endowment for our
state university that will assure it's future
financial stability The internal improve
ment land fund has 274,S33 acres of its
should be nearly SIS, 900, 600 This may
properly be denominated sinking fund for
the redemption of the state railroad adjust
ment bonds, as it has been provided by con-
stltutional amendment that all the revenues
OF this fund shall be applied to the payment
or the principal and interest of those bonds
STATE DEBT
The present Indebtedness of the state Is rep
resented by the following issue of bonds:
Railroad adjustment bonds, issue Of
1881, due in'twentv and redeemA-
bic IN ten years, 4i9 per cent. "a 203, 900
Revenue bonds, issue Of 1883, re.
deemable at the pleasure Of the
state, Ala per cent .................. 2OO, 900
These revenue bonds viii be redeemed
within the next three years, provision hav-
ing been made therefor The trust funds Of
the state hold s. 523, 900 Of the adjustment
bonds, 1922 900 of which are in the internal
Improvement or sinking fund" These latter
might properly be cancelled, and the indebt-
edness OF the state reduced by that amount
There is also nearly 81 5000 of land con-
tracts in the sinking fund, which will be in
creased from time to time by further sales of
land Whenever it is deemed advisable,
these contracts might be transferred to the
permanent school fund, and adjustment
bonds to an equal amount held by that fund
redeemed and Cancelled 1t may not be de-
sirable to do this at the present time, but
the board of investment to cancel the
bonds now in the land or sinking
fund.-" and any further bonds Of like char
acter it may acquire in the future. As ops
portunity has been presented I'd purchase
our state bonds the board Of investment have
converted other securities and invested in
them; the advantage of these transactions
being net gain to the trust funds of $1O5,-
600. The auditor makes some practical sug
gestions relative to the future investment of
the trust funds Of the state, which merit
your attention. The state has expended
over half million dollars within the last
four years in replacing structures destroyed
by fire. Comparatively little insurance was
upon the buildings destroyed, and even that
was placed without direct authority there
the loss, the premiums beinS paid from their
current expense funds. In view of this ex-
perience and as simple business PROPOSE
ton, submit that the policy heretofore pre-
vall1ng OF refusing appropriations to pay
premiums should be reconsidered and the
boards in charge of the several state institu-
tions be authorized to procure reasonable
indemnity against fire on such buildings as
are exposed to danger from that source The
structures recently erected are practically
freproef and will not need to be insured
EDUCATION.
The report of the superintendent of public
instruction presents an exhaustive review of
the educational interests OF the state; their
development during the past two years, the
improvements noted, and the defects still
existing in our system of popular education.
Due attention to the criticisms and sugges-
tions of the superintendent will discover
wherein that system may be much improved
and its advantages more generally realized
by the people of the state. There is no ques-
ton of state policy that interests or affects
our people to a greater degree than the
means adopted for the development of popu-
lar intelligence. With its admirable plan of
organization and its munifcent endowment
supplemented by large tribute of annual
taxes, our common school system should be
made a model of it's kind Assuming that it
is your desire to contribute your efforts to
secure that end, I commend the recon-
mendations of the superintendent to your
favorable consideration The enrolment in
our public school the past year was 223, 200,
an increase of 1866 since the last bien-
NAL report. Three hundred and ninety two
new school buildings have been erected at
a cost of 81 ,OS5, ITO. There has been raised
for educational support during the past two
years 81, sos, 931.7O. The permanent fund
for the support of common schools has been
increased in the sum of 1888, 3O6 Is, maxi
ing it's present aggregate So, 255, 632 50,
The estimate of $40, 100000 as the prob
able amount of this fund when it's grants Of
lands are disposed of, seems likely to be re-
allied A personal inspection OF the three
normal schools the past season has confirmed
my Judgment previously expressed of the
valuable work these institutions are accom-
plishing Their organization and admins
tration are in high state of efficiency, and
in results accomplished as well as prospec-
lively promised, Justify the liberal provision
made for their maintenance The normal
board report the following enrolment for
the past year:
Az MAHAdto SOP
At st. Cloud. Observation-Disclosures, $40