The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1891-02-13

while the graduates from the high
schools eau enter q year or
two farther along. Last year in
these ways 143 entered the university as
new students, and this year 1877 have
already gained such admittance.
In addition to the work of teaching,
the state university is becoming a bu-
reau of information for the people.
Questions relating 10 the various de-
partmcnts of art, science, and industry
are constantly referred to the faculty
for solution by citizens in all parts of
the state. Through the manificencc of
the national government the university
ment station, in which the problems re-
lating to the different departments of
agriculture are investigated, and the re-
suit given to the people gratuitously.
The problems which have received spe-
cial attention during the biennium are
the culture of sugar beet in Nebraska,
the destruction of the insects of the
farm and garden, the grasses and for
est plants of the state, the composition
of the soils and waters of Nebraska,
and irrigation for the western counties.
The published results are free to all
citizens who choose to apply for them.
The continued growth of the univers-
ity requires a generous treatment at
the hands of the legislature. Not only
does it require money to pay for the
services of the instructors, and for the
necessary current expenses, but still
more to provide additional apparatus,
books and materials. A modern uni
versity has many departments, and it
takes a long time and much work and
money to bring together the necessary
facilities in them all If the University
of Nebraska is to rival the great uni
yersities of theseast, if it is to furnish
opportunities to the young people of
Nebraska as good as those enjoyed by
he sons and daughters of the older
states, it must be literally supported.
sTATE NORMAL SCHOOL.
From the biennial report of the prin-
cipal of the Nebraska State Normal
school, it appears that during the year
ending December, 1889, there was in at
tendance in the normal school pro ser,
572. Of these $40 were ladies and 1872
gentlemen. F%ifty-nine graduated in
June of that year from the two courses,
the elementary and higher.
For the year ending December, 1890,
there was 555 in attendance, of whom
800 were ladies, 100 gentleman; 1873
graduated from the two courses, of
whom seventeen were of the higher
course. Nearly all OF these graduates,
and many of the under graduates, are
now engaged in teaching or in school
work.
AS a significant fact bearing upon
this point, lit was ascertained that at
the late assembly of teachers which vas
held in Lincoln, the largest in the his
tory of these meetings of the state,
about one-sixth of thel entire enroll
ment were persons that had been con-
nected with the Nebraska State Normal
school, most of them graduates of eth
er the elementary or higher course.
This clearly indicates the zeal in their
chosen profession and a faithful contin-
uance of those who have availed them
selves of the advantage of the school.
The improvements that have from
time to time been in the building have
had reference to increased eficiencies
in the particular line of work, for
which the normal school is established
and maintained.
a practice school is an essential fea-
ture of this work. The graduates of
either course, besides a thorough curse
in the theories of education and the
of instruction, are given sew
eral weeks of observation and practice
in actual teaching in primary and inter-
mediate supervision grades, and under
the immediate supervision of the
teachers and methods.
At the last session of the legislature
thirteen thousand dollars were appro-
prlated for the purpose of erecting a
separate boiler house and removing the
boiler from the building, and for the
erection of a library building. The
buildings are completed and add greatly
to the facilities of the school, but there
seems to be some difficulty in the work
ing of the heating apparatus.
The library now contains four thous-
and well selected volumes, besides a
large number of public documents and
pamphlets.
The laboratories are well equipped with
apparatus and cabinets. So far as prac-
ticable the entire school now enjoys
their advantages.
The sum asked for the next two years
is the same in the aggregate as for the
last two years, emitting any estimate for
building. but including one thousand
dollars for placing the heating appara-
tus in working order.
1t is believed that no state institution
returns directly to the people greater
value for the sum expended in its sup
port. The estimates of the Normal
school board have always been moder-
ate. This school deserves well at the
hands of the state legislature.
STATE LIBRARY.
The number of volumes in the state
library as appears from the report Of
the librarian is "a, 1896.
Number of volumes added the past
two years according to accession cata-
logue 1904.
The librarian makes the following
recommendations:
1st. That the sum of 81, 600, or SO
much thereof as may be necessary, be
appropriated for the purpose of building
and furnishing of a vault in which to
keep the records of the supreme court.
I'd. That an appropriation of $500 be
made for printing a new catalogue of
the library, none having been issued
since 1884.
Sd. That provisions be made for
binding in one volume for the use of
each state and territorial library the re-
ports of state officers and other public
documents. The plan is now largely