Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1885-01-16

Total. Sc, 255, 632 SO
Cash. Ae...'l " SIS, 1852 81
interest. ............:........... s47,226 60
justment bonds. ................ 277,ooo 90
Fruit farm. ................... 1900 10
Experimental farm ..,.. $500 90
$662,7Ss 80
INTERNAL, IMPROVEMENT LAND FUND.
Cash. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. 90. $16.135 IL
Land contracts bearing per cent
1922 900 Minnesota railroad adj
justment bonds. $4,000 90
$1,3oo,6o5 II
The congressional grant of land For the
use Of schools, it is estimated, will amount to
about 5000, 900 acres when the surveys of
the state are completed; 908, l45 acres Of
this have been sold at an average of SO. OF
per acre. Estimated upon this basis, the
common school fund will ultimately realize
over $lS, 100000 from this source. This
will probably be increased to $50, 600, 900
by sale of swamp lands inuring to this fund
after prior grants are satisfied. The perma-
nent university grant has SO, OSl acres yet to
be disposed OF, which will swell the accumu-
lations of it's fund to fully $1,O0O,OOO, and
state university that will assure it's future
financial stability. The internal improve
1nenu land fund has 27l, 1913 acres of it's
grant vet unsold It's final accommodations
should be nearly $3,0OOOOO This may
properly be tlenominated a sinking fund for
the redemption OF the state railroad adjust
ment bonds as it has been provided by con-
stitutional amendment that all the revenues
of this fund shall be applied to the payment
of the princi pal 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 III twenty and redeena-
BILE in tex years, L. per cent. 81, 283, 900
Revenue bonds, issue Of 1888, re-
deemabe at the pleasure Of the
state, z per cent. Observation-Disclosures. 100000
Total 81, 1873 900
These revenue bonds win be redeemed
within the next three years, provision hav-
ing been made therefor The trust funds Of
the state hold So, 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 100000 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. It may not be de-
sirable to do tlis 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 OPP
portunity has been presented to purchase
our state bonds the board of investment have
converted other securities and invested in
them; the advantage Of these transactions
being a net gain to the trust funds Of $lO5,-
900. 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
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
for, by the board of management suffering
the loss, the premiums being paid from their
current expense funds. In view of this ex-
perience and as simple business PROPOSE
ton, 1 submit that the policy heretofore pre-
vailing of refusing appropriations to pay
premiums should be reconsidered and the
boards in charge of the several state institu-
lions be authorized to procure reasonable
indemnify against tire on such buildings as
are exposed - danger from that source The
structures recently erected are practically
dreproof and will not need to be insured
EDUCATION.
The report OF the superintendent of public
instruction presents an exhaustive review OF
the educational interests IF 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-
lions of the superintendent will discover
wherein that system may be much improved
and it's advantages more generally realized
by the people OF the state. There is no ques-
rF ypr-., 4ooto
our people to a greater degree than the
means adopted for the development of popu-
lar intelligence With it's admirable plan of
organization and it's muniticcnt endowment,
supplemented by a 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-
1nendations OF the superintendent to your
favorable consideration. The enrolment in
our public school the past year was 223 200,
an increase Of 26 566 since the last bien-
new school bu ldings have been erected at
cost of ST. ,O85,17O 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, max
ing its present aggregate P0, 25o, 632 49,
The estimate of $2OQOO,OOO as the prob
able amount of this fund when its 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-
p]ishing. Their organization and admins
tration are in a. high state of efficiency, anc
in results accomplished as well as prospec
lively promised. Justify the liberal provision
made for their maintenance. The norma
board report the following enrolment fo
the past year:
Az W mona ~.
AZ AlLHhttp ,.............. 0O1
Al ST. Cloud Observation-Disclosures. 3It
Showing an increase Of 347 in two years. O.
the total enrolment 672 are in the norma
department proper 800 in the preparatory
and 4O3 in the model The number O
teachers graduated to date in all the school!
is 1903. The growth Of these schools in
evitably involves au increase in their current
expenses, mostly required for the pay of thu
additional teaching force employed Tht
boart. asks for an increase at Winona O.
$3, 900, Mankato $4,000 and St Cloud q
50, 900 in their perman emit annual appropri
alton for current expenses With this in
crease the appropriations would be: Winona
Sis, 900; hfankato $4,000; ST Cloud