The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1886-12-30
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT LAND FUN

Total ........... a.. $S5o,627 10
Less adjustment bonds Cancelled. 80, 900 90
Total 81, 52s'627 10
funds in two wears OF ISL $50, GO 81, and an ag-
gregate accumulation Of S9,6ol ,G3T.ll. There
We. remain unsold of the congressional grant Of
land from which these funds are derived teSti-
ma ing he full grant to common schools at
5000. 900 acresl l,SS7,5Tl acres III the common
school grant, 50. S2$ acres in the university
grant, and 10, 81 : i'll the internal Improvement
land grant. 1t seems likely that former esti-
mates of the ultimate accumulatlons of these
funds will be realized and that when ali the
lands are disposed of the permaueat school
fund will amount to fully 81 Is 200, 900. the uni
ycrsity fund to over 81 600 600 and The iu-
ternal Improvement land fund TO nearly So,
100000.
STATE DEBT
The Indebtedness of the state is represented
hv the following Issues of bonds:
Railroad adjustment bonds, issue
OF Ssh. due in twenty and redeem
able i'll ten years, 1 l. per cent SIS. go 600
Revenue bonds. issue OF 1888. re-
deeinable at the pleasure OF the
state, l., per cent $1,000
Total - O26 600
The state debt has been reduced in two years
$l57, coo by the REDEMPTION OF Sl39.O0O of rev
enue bonds, and the cancellation OF S322.0 900 of
adjustment bonds. held by the internal I'M
provemeut land fund. The balance of the rev.
enue bonds. S6l 900. will e redeemed from the
revenues OF the current fiscal year. The inter
nal Improvement land fund is practically sink
ing fund for the redemption of the railroad adj
juStment bonds That fund now holds securities
the amount of 81, 52S.627 The balance of
lands belonging to this fund will, when sold.
add more than million dollars To this aocuinll-
latlon, and thus reduce he state debt due with
out taxation - less than 81, 100000.
EDUCATION.
The superintendent of public instruction
ports that in ali departments of our educa-
prosperity. He. however, notes some detects
which detract from its Harmonious working.
and recommends i'll that behalf such remedial
legislation as will secure its more perfect organ
izatlou would especially call attention to his
recommendation that the common school organi-
lation be changed from the district TO the town
suceinctiy set fer i'll the superintend
ent's report, and III his conclusions l
cordially concur, His suggestion, also,
that the school dis riet township furnish
text books free 10 all pupils is in the line of pol
icy OF the state that our common schools shall
be MADE FREQ schools" in the fullest signitica
tloa at the term. From table in the suprein-
teudent rseport, showing the general distribu-
ton of the expense of instruction., it appears
i hat with much higher rate OF local taxation
the country districts of the state expend less
per scholar than those In the cities and towns.
notwithst andlng the children in the latter re-
ceiye over a third longer term of instruction
each year These facts prove that the property
OF the countrDjs bearing an inequitable burden
OF taxation for educationsl purposes. When we
are reminded. too, that the state is aiding by
direct tax all other departments of education.
schools" the present one-mill tax being simply
a compulsory local taxi the thought is sug
gested that We are neglecting the great source
OF education for the people. The super
intendent's Recommendation in this
nection that special tax of one mill be levied
for the benefit of the common schools OF the
state to be added to the present apportlonment
from the income of the permanent fund is com
mended to Your favorable consideration. The
theory of our system is that the greatest posi-
BILE facility for an education shall be offered
every child in the state. The greatest burdens
society bears are the outgrowthS OF ignorance
and ehe vices with which it is associated and
for their relief preventive influences which edu-
cation provides are surely more effective than
he curative measures turnished bv our refOrma-
tory and penal institutions. The education of
the masses is limited TO the instruction received
i'll the common schools. Comparatively few
reach the high schools or the university. 1t Is
the first duty of the state therefore, and con-
ducive to its highest interest to foster and de-
veiop our system of common schools. They are
the schools OF the people, and the burden OF their
support should be borne by all the people
equally, or as nearly so as practicable
There has been expended for the support of
schools for the past two years So, 1924 or, as
follows:
For common schools So, 600, III s3.19s,s15
For high schools % 600 $4,000
For normal schools...... $4,000 $4,000
For teachers Institutes 6,O0O 5000
Total ...S2 50, 767 Jog S3,354971
The enrolment in the public schools was
225, 215 in 1S95 and $3.50 in 1856.
The state university had 80 students in
1885 and LOG i'll 1856. Under the able admin
istratlon OF President Northrop the university
Is making substantial progress in all respects:
It's efficiency is, however, somewhat impaired
by the lack d buildings required in some of its
departments. The wants Of the institution in
this respect are fully set forth in the report of
he r6 afr al riatj n1S
to the amount IF $50, 900 are required to pro-
vide the structures needed, and the regents
make an earnest appeal to your body for that
sum. 1t must be the policy of the state TO make
that will compare with the best Of its class in
the country. 1t cannot reach the rank of those
after which it is modelled unless thoroughly
equipped in all its parts. The legislature has
heretofore responded promptly to the wants Of
the university, and do not doubt it will do so
in the present case. It is the Judgment of the
regents, as expressed to me- that the appropria-
lions might be distributed over period of three
years, OF ZOO per annum, without embarass-
ment to the university. There was expended
for new buildings during the past year the sum
of $3S. 600
For current expenses $40 900 per annum will
be required for the ensuing two years.
The high schools of the state have increased
to 80 and their enrolment to 3,195. In the
character of their work and the results accom-
plished. these schools have made mvch progress
and give ample promise for the future
The normal schools have increased their
rollment until the capacity of the Msnkato and
St Cloud buildings have become insufficient for
the accommodation of the pupils in attendance,
and appropriations arc asked for their enlarge
ment
The requirements Of the three schools in addi-
d1tion to the annual appropriations for their
support as reported by the board. follows:
Winona Mankato. ST. Cloud
Addition to build
ings. ............. ....... $4,000 $4,000
Repairs ,....... 81 900 1900 .