The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-05-06
,OENsUs SCHOOL REruRNs

HAERlI0 ldl65U CCA60s
ffty-three, continues the information
regarding the public schools begun in
the issues OF December, 1890, and Feb
ruary, 1891. In the former were CON
tanned returns from nineteen states and
territories, from the District of Column
bia, from 1856 cities, and the private
schools OF Oklahoma. To the informa-
ton then presented, the latest compila-
tion adds returns from sixteen states
and forty-two cities. OF course, in none
of these cases is it to be assumed that
the returns are perfect. They do not
pretend to be SO. They have been
issued, we are told, in answer to press
ing calls for information, and their early
publicity, it is hoped, will tend to lessen
the liability to error in final publica-
ton.
The comprehensive table, showing the
changes during the last decade in popu-
lation and IN public school enrolment,
is full of interest. So far as it's informa-
ton goes, North and South Dakota oc-
cupy . position of proud pre-emlnence.
Both display phenomenal growth in
population and school enrolment alike.
Within the last ten years the popula-
ton OF North Dakota has increased
$500 per cent, and the school attend
ance during the same period shows a
gain of no less than 722.77. Bravo,
North Dakota! And South Dakota is a
worthy second with it's gain of 234.60
and 563.36 per cent, respectively. The
figures Of school enrolment in Montana
are highly complimentary to the intelli-
gence of our citizens and their desire to
give their children as good a start in
life as possible. In the growth of popu-
lation, Montana, with a gain of 237.49
per cent, has to yield the third place Of
honor to Washington, which can boast
Of an increase of 365.13. But, in the
matter of school enrolment, Montana
relatively leaps away ahead Of her west
ern competitor, for, while the latter can
show an increased public school attend
ance Of 275.05 per cent, u W state
trends closely upon its heels with a gain
of 260.12. M. Gannon's figures, indeed,
re probably more correct than those
Of Robert Porter. According to our
state superintendent, the total
,chool enrolment for Montana in 1880
was 5,161, and for 1890 he sets down the
figures at 1880. That means a clear
gain of over 300 per cent, and we leave
Washington, not only relatively, but
actually, in the rear. Wyoming is the
only only other state that SO far ap-
proaches the figures of the 'big four
The gain IN population is 1921, and the
increase in school enrolment 1929 per
cent.
The same table furnishes fairly con-
elusive proof of a general acceptance of
Horace Greeley's advice to young men.
No doubt, a large proportion of the
phenomenal growth Of the northwestern
states is due to foreign immigration, but
. glance at the figures OF population will
convince the most sceptical that the
great of this section Of the
country are draining the eastern states
of their young and active men and
women During the decade Maine car
show an increase in population of only
1877 per cent. Vermont falls away be-
low that with 0.0i. New Hampshire
makes a little better showing
with 8.51, and Connecticut can boast o
1884. But the school figures tell the
tale of old homes and homesteads de
serted by enterprising sons and daugh
ters. Connecticut's school gain is onl,
6.68 per cent, and Maine, New Hanp
shire and Vermont have to acknowledg
absolute losses of 1913, 7.5l and 1912 re
s%pectively. In the relation of the sexe
in public schools New Mexico gives
vivid picture Of the effects of distanc
on the att ndance Of the weaker Sc,
The boys enrolled throughout the stat
are in the proportion of two to one con
pared with the girls, and in Valenci
county the ~Gisproportlon reaches tn
remarkable figure Of thirty to on
SEVEN a boy OF a %galloping pony canne
always 60 to school and return in
day."
IT is always interesting to know no
our great men are viewed away fro
home. This from the Seattle TelegraI