The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1891-01-16
STATE STATISTICS

! ~ u ~ \ ~ ~ l. IA j ~ INV
South Dakota Schools and
Finances.
Interesting and Instructive Facts
and Figures Concerning the
Great State.
PIERRE, 8. D., Jan. 6.-South Dakota
did not neglect educational matters
when she began statehood. The school
tax is the most burdensome of all taxes,
but the large heritage in lands to which
this branch falls heir will cut down this
expense when these lands are sold.
Thus far no sales resenting any amount
have been made, but it is understood
that some valuable lands will be placed
on the market this year, in the older
sections of tie state.
The study of the school question in
South Dakota is not uninteresting. The
first territorial school organization oc-
CURED in 1864 James s.. Foster was
the first superintendent OF public in
struction. Mr.. Foster accidentally
fatally shot himself at Mitchell last
last summer, and his death
was deeply mourned throughout
the state. In 1866 J. w. Turner, S. A.
Bentley and William Walters were
elected the first members of the board
of education. In 1859 I. M. Stuart OF
Union county, was elected superintend-
ent, but only held the Office few
months, Mr.. Foster doing the work as
deputy. j. w. Turner was elected, or
appointed. in 1870 Since then the SUI
perintendents Of public instruction OF
South Dakota have been d. w. Miller,
OF Union county; j. j. McIutire, of
Turner county; w. II. H. Beadle, of
Yankton county; A. Sheridan Jones, of
Hutchinson county; L. A. Dye, of
Sphinx county, for South Dakota, and T..
A. Rose, of Pembina county, for North
Dakota, and G. l.. Pinkham. of Hand
county, who now surrenders the office
to Ccrtez Salmon, of Turner county.
Some statistics may not be aninter-
| esting. In South Dakota there are
tifty-one counties organized. In those
counties there are 657 school townships
and 7o4 school districts. These two
systems prevail, but an effort will be
made this winter to adopt one or the
other of the systems. In the state
there are Se,177 people between the
ages of and 20. There are enrolled
7s,o43. There are 1,3t6 malls and 3,294
female teachers employed. The aver
age pay for males per month is SAC;
females, S37. There are 100 graded
schools. During 1890 there were 11O
school houses built. The total value of
school property is $685. ,2s4. The
amount paid county superintendent is
S3a.295. School bonds to the amount OF
Vi, ,s55, $50 and school warrants to the
amount Of $247,S4o are outstanding
The total receipts for 1890 were S1,433,-
o3l-74, and disbursements $l,225, 20s. 3t,
leaving balance on hand of S214, 323. 3S,
In the State there are 0 female and AZ
male superintendents of schools.
The statistics given above deal only
with the common schools of South Da-
kota. There are other statistics touch
Ing the higher educational institutions
In the state which may not be uninser-
eating. The report of tho regents OF
education is q little document full OF
meat. The first Institution noted is the
state university at yermillion. The re.
port shows total enrolment for 1890,
OF 436. The board says that lack OF
funds has materially retarded progress.
and recommends an appropriation for
this institution of S37, 1000 for 1891.
In 1890 the appropriation amounted to
1 t25, 10000, which the board pronounces
inadequate. The board also recon mends
/ th . ho rf +l,<, IL l.. 4
from the University of Dakota to the
University OF South Dakota.
| The agricultural college at Brookings
is reported in good condition. The total
enrolment for 1890 was 319 The board
recommends an appropriation of Sl3,.
$1,000. This college, by reason of the
munificent grants of land by congress,
| is sure to be one of the strongest insti-
/ tutions in the state.
| The school of mines at Rapid CITY
had bad luck during the year. The
last legislature made an appropriation
| too small to operate the school, and 1t
was closed last May. An appropriation
1 Of SO, $50 is recommended.
| The normal school at Spearfsh is re-
! ported in excellent condition The at.
tendance last year was 372. The board
recommends an appropriation of $14,-
ESQ
| The normal school at Madison had an
enrolment of 1870. and is reported in
very good condition, though in need OF
more money. The board recommends
an appropriation Of S11,715
In 1883 the legislature passed an act
creating normal school a,
Springfield, providing donation
of twenty acres was donated.
These conditions have been complied
! with, ard SO that this school may share
| in the so, 900 acres given normal schools
1 In South Dakota by the omnibus bill,
the board recommends that this school
be organized at once by the appoint,
ment of trustees.
Turning from the common schools
and colleges to another matter we came
| to the report of the state board of chari.
ties. The officers of the present board
are q. A. Uline. of Dell Rapids, presi,
| dent, and Zina Richey, of Yankton,
secretary. This board has supervision
| OF all state Institutions of charities and
corrections. Under les management
are the penitentiary, school for deaf
mutes, reform school, and hospital for
| the insane.
| The first institution noted in the re.
| port Is the hospital for the insane al
Yankton. The appropriation made for
the maintenance Of this institution was
S5s,3ls.s1. 1t cost S45, 1863. Is to run the
asylum from March s, 1890, to Novem.
ber 30, 1890, which would indicate that
the appropriation is too small. The
board asks an appropriation of S75. .OOG
per year The cost per patient has been
81 cents per day, which includes food,
medicine, medical attendance and all
incidental expenses.
The penitentiary at Sioux Falls is the
boards next subject for consideration,
The penitentiary has been we'll man
aged. The board recommends that
81, 900 be invested ina knitting plant.
80 that the prisoners may be employed,
and the state receive some revenue from
their labor, The board asks an appro
priation Of $50, 3s7.2o for the ensuing
two years.
The deaf mute school at Sioux Falli
has been run on an expense OF IS, 933. As.
The total appropriation was $14,soo
For the ensuing two years the sum Of
/ $50, ,066. 50is asked.
The state reform school at Plankin