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

INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT LAND FUND.
Cash. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. $l36,S46 33
Land contracts. ..............., 1,oSo,o14 40
$685., 600 Minnesota railroad ad-
ment bonds. Observation-Disclosures. S22,Ooo 90
Interest overdraft.... ........... 1926 80
Total. :. $S5o627 10
Less adjustment bonds Cancelled. 32o, 900 90
Total. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 81. 52s'627 10
These 5. atements show an increase in these
funds in two years of 81, 3S2, 60 81. and an ag
gregate accumulation Of $9.6Ol, 637. ii. There
yet remain unsold Of the congressional grant of
land from which these funds are derived (esti-
mating the full grant to common schools at
5000, 900 acresl 1897, ST. acres In the common
school grant. s23 acres in the university
grant, and 1 rs, 81 in the internal Improvement
land grant. 1t seems likely that former esti-
mates of the ultimate accumulaticns of these
funds will be realized. and that when all the
lands are disposed OF the permapeAt school
fund will amount to fully Sis, O0O, 900. the uni
versity fund to over $1,O0O.OOO. and the in-
ternal improvement land fund to nearly 49,
100000.
STATE DEBT.
The indebtedness Of the state is represented
by the following Issues of bonds:
Railroad adjustment bonds, issue
of 1881, due in twenty and redeem
sSe in ten years
deemable at the pleasure OF the
state, 4l2 per cent. Observation-Disclosures. $1,000
Total, 81, O2s. 600
The state debt has been reduced in two years
$457 600 by the redemption of 1888. 600 of rev.
enue bonds, and the cancellation OF $322.O0O Of
adjustment bonds. held by the internal i'm
provemeut land fund.- The balance of the rev.
enue bonds. SOL 900, will 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 ad-
justment bonds. That fund now holds securities
to the amount of 81, 52s.627. The balance of
lands belonging to this fund will, when sold,
add more than a million dollars to this aocumu-
lation and thus reduce the state debt due with
out taxation to less than 81, 100000
EDUCATION
The superintendent of public instruction
ports that in all departments of our educa-
tonal system there has been uninterrupted
prosperity. He. however. notes some defects
which detrae, from it's harmonious working:
legislation as will secure its more perfect organ
izstion. would especially call attention to his
recommendation that the common school organi-
ship plan The advantages of this change are
succinctly set for in the superintend-
eo and II his also
that the school dis riet or township furnish
text books free to all pupils is in the line of pol
icy OF the state that our common schools shall
be MADE free schools" in the fullest significa-
tion at the term. From table in the suprein
tendent' rseport showing the general distribu-
ton of the expense OF instruction, it appears
that with a much higher rate OF local taxation
the country districts of the state expend less
per scholar than those In the cities and towns.
Notwithstanding the children in the latter re-
ceive over a third longer term Of instruction
each year. These facts prove that the property
of the countr0s bearing an inequitable burden
OF taxatien for educational purposes. When we
are reminded. too, that the state is aiding by
direct tax all other departments of education.
but is giving directly no such aid to the common
schools" 1.-THE present ne-mill tax being simply
a compulsory local taxi the thought is sug-
gested that we are negecting the great source
Of education for the people: The super
intendent's Recommendation in this con-
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 apportionment
from the income of the permanent fund, is COM
mended to Your favorable consideration. The
theory of our system Is that the greatest possi-
BILE facility for an education shall be offered
every child in the state. The greatest burdens
society bears are the outgrowths OF ignorance
and the vices with which it is associated and
for their relief preventive influences which edu-
cation provides are surely more effective than
the curative measures furniehed bv our reforma-
tory and penal Institutions. The education of
the masses is limited to the instruction received
in 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-
velop 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. 1872, or. as
follows:
For For sae sa~sassy ss5s
For high schools. .. $4,000 $4,000
For normal schools. $4,000 $4,000
For teachers Institutes. 5000 5000
Total. .......... SO. 767. Jog s3,354971
The enrolment in the public schools was
The state university had $40 students in
1885 and 4O6 in 1886. Under the able admin
istratlon Of President Northrop the university
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
the board Of regents. Additional appropriations
to the amount If $50, 900 are required to pro-
vide the structures needed, and the regents
sum. 1t must be the policy of the state to make
her university complete institution, and one
that will compare with the best OF it's 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
in the present case. It is the judgments Of the
regents, expressed to me. that the appropria-
lions might be distributed over period Of three
ment to the university. There was expended
for new buildings during the past year the sum
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 8, 1875. 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 en-
rollment until the capacity of the Msnkato and
ST. Cloud buildings have become insufficient for
the accommodation of the pupils in attendance,
and appropriations are asked for their enlarge
ment
The requirements of the three schools in addi-
d1tion to the annual appropriations for their
support reported by the board are as follows:
Winona. Mankato. st. Cloud.
Addition to build
ings. 1900. $4,000 $4,000
repairs $4,OOO LOU
Purchase of lots. ....... 5000 .......
Improving grounds ....... 5000 ........
Furniture, appar-
atus, etc. ........ ....... 500 300
Annual increase for
current expenses 1000 5000 1000
Deficiency on Ia
dies home. 800. .,.. ... 5000
Total. ........... sc, 600 $67, 900 SAT, 700
The Wnona school also asks an appropriation
for ladies' home, but no estimate of its cost is
given. The normal schools sustain prominent
and most important relation to our educational
system, and should command in the future as
in the past, the fostering care of the state.
Tt,,ir