The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-01-11
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Report and Recommendations
of State Supt. Bryan.
DEFECTS IN PRESENT LAWS.
American Navigators Are ut q Disadvan-
tage, Owing to Pilot statutes-Pub-
lie Lands and Insurance.
DEFECTS IN PRESENT LAWS.

PUBLIC instruction Bryan says:
That marked progress has beeu made in our
eaucatenai affairs during the last year is evil
dsnccc by the fact that an increase over 1889 is
SHOWN ny the comparison made In almost every
feature touched upon BY this report More
schoolhocses and better ones are in existence
tnan last year: the amount raised for school
purposes is largely in excess of that Of any former
sear' the increased average wages paid To
teaeaers indicates healthy growth oil public
sentiment IN favor of competent instructors,
ana the increased number OF teachers institutes
held and the increased attendance OF teachers
az these institutes, indicates a disposition on
the part OF the teachers and county superintend-
ents 10 increase the efficiency OF the teaching
the principal items found in the
statistical tables having been made,
ana recapituiation of the more important facts
e.iclted having been appended, it is not thought
70 &c necessary or advisable to enumerate,
specifically, those items in this article; but the
attention OF all is invited TO the comparison
Hide Sno the recapitulation appended to It, and
q CAREFUL study OF the facts there presented is
solicited. One of the most gratifying facts
Ioahc III the comparison is the great increase in
the nulnper OF graded schools, for though the
iacs may be unpalatable, il is nevertheless true
that the graded schools are the most important
factors IN our public school system in preparing
thc south OF the country for the duties and re-
sponsibilities OF good citizenship A large per
csntage OF the people Of the state is found in the
cues auu towns, throwing a majority of the
children enrolled in schools into these graded
sehools, where longer terms, better facilities,
more extended courses OF study, and, as rule,
DETER work is done. Most of our graded schools
are In the hands of as competent instructors as
can De found anywhere, and the equipments
towns compare favorably with those
OF any OF the older cities of
the Union. And while our graded schools merit
most favorable consideration, the best efforts of
the law-making power of the state should be ex-
erted In behalf of the schools in rural districts
ana every opportunity should be given them TO
increase Their efficiency by providing literally
Tor their support. The terms of schools ia rural
uistr1efs are far too short and owing to scarcity
of funds, In many instances the teachers EN-
nloyed in them are far from being qualified for
are to be congratulated upon their devotion to
the cause OF education and upon the progress it
Is making in this state. IL is not complimentary
10 them TO be compelled to admit the fact that
the average length of the school year in the state
is less than five months, especially when the
TACT Is taken into consideration that more than
100 graded schools, with long terms, enter into
the account.
Perhaps the least gratifying fact presented in
this report is that the number of children en-
rolled In the public schools is but co per cent of
the school population, while the average daily
attendance is but 81 per cent. OF the number en-
rolled, or q per cent. OF the entire school popu
lation, and this, too, for the short period OF 4s6
months out OF the twelve. Is this short average
term OF school, with its small percentage of at
tendance sufficient TO equip the children Of the
state for the battle OF life and launch them upon
tnS SEA Vi cOtlSls PORTUGAL GIQ pUSlutSS
properly prepared to perform their respective
parts with credit TO themselves?
NORMAL SCHOOLS
One OF the greatest emharrassments of the
hour is the absence OF normal schools. While
normal school training cannot make success
ful teacher of one who is not adapted to the
work, it is most potent in preparing those who
are by nature adapted to it, for efficient work in
the sehoolroonl. The legislature of lSS9-90 en-
acted faxrS aSrabfiShfnO frva nal
one at Ellensburg, the other at Cheney. No ap-
preparation was made for either and while
ample provision has been made by congress for
the support OF one or more normal schools in
this state in the granting OF lands to the state
Tor that purpose, no funds can be derived from
that source for some years yet to come The
school at Cheney was opened for the reception
OF students on the 18th of October, $780, but as
no funds are available for the support Of the
school, II is presumed that it is either conducted
as private enterprise or is being supported by
private contributions. Lands aud buildings
were donated to the state at Cheney for the
accommodation of that school, and beautiful
site has been donated by the city of Ellensburg
upon which 10 erect q normal school as soon as
funds ere provided. II the people can afford to
pay thousands upon thousands of dollars each
year for the training OF state militia that will
probably never be called into active service, can
they. not afford to pay few thousand dollars
Tor the establishment and maintenance of one
or more normal schools for the training of
teachers who viii go into active service at once?
THE STATE UNIVERSITY.
The pride of several states of the American
Union is their universities. The university
when properly supported, properly organized
and properly equipped, is the crowning stone of
the educational monument of a state. The ne
necessity for legislative action in providing
Washington with university that shall be the
pride. OF her people, cannot be too strongly
urged, and such action should not be longer de-
layed Let the present university be re-organ-
lied, given ample scope and adequate means of
support, and the set will be approved and APP
plauded by the enlightened people both within
and without the state.
STATE REFORM SCHOOL.
Provision as made for a state reform school
by the last legislature, and a site has been Sc
lected near the city of Chehalis, Lewis county.
Provision should be made for putting it in sue
eessful operation as soon as possible. II costs
less to provide for reclaiming the erring youth
OF the country than il does TO provide prisons
Tor them when they become adults.
SCHOOL FOE DEFECTIVE YOUTH.
A school for defective youth is already in OPP
GRAFTON at Vancouver. Ample means for its
support should be provided, that these unfortu-
nate children may be cared for in the best man
her that human skill can devise.
STATE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.
Unfortunately the commission appointed last
winter to select site for this school have been
unable TO agree. Such action should be taken
SUPPORT OF COMMON SCHOOLS.
Ample means for the support of the common
schools of the state have been provided by the
general government, when once the lands do
mated for that purpose can be sold and the pro-
ceeds become available. Data are not at hand
showing the exact amount of these lands, but
approximately il is 2,50o.000 acres. This land,
sold at the minimum value OF SO per acre, viii
give a fund OF SIS, 600, Goethe most magnificent
school fund that was ever bequeathed 10 any
This fpnf rtt9aaI 81 at ar
cent per annum, will yield en- annual income of
sl,25O,00, which win be ample for the support
OF all the common schools OF the state that will
be needed Tor the education OF its children.
While much Of this land IS unstable, large
portion will sell Tor much more than the mini
mum price, and viii insure fund not less than
that above stated. This fund may all become
available within twenty years, and ii judi
Ciously invested viii We'd an annual apportion-
Fnent OF not less than So per child OF school age
But il has been the misfortune of many states TO
lose much of their school land funds by negli-
gence or bad management and il is not iInpossi-
bic that Washington may follow IN their foot
steps. Already attempts are being made 10 wrest
from the state some OF its most valuable school
lands, and unless ample provision Is made for
defending its interests, the story OF many other
states is likely to be repeated in this. Upon the
legislature Gevolyes the task Of throwing around
or school fund such safeguards as cannot be
broken down by the hand of private greed or Of
fetal dishonesty. Let il not be said by future
generations that the magnificent school fund
vouC hsa.ed 10 Washington By the faurifcent
hand Of the republic has been lost through the
neglect OF the legislature 10 provide ample
means Tor its protection and preservation
GSt-l the permanent school fund CT the state
shall become avaIla bic, which viii not be for
several years, taxation must be relied upon 20
keep the educational machine in motion. ii
special taxes, levied By school districts, are re-
lied upon 10 any great extent. the result VIII
prove that the faith OF the law makers was not
wen founded, and even tie county commission
ers OF several OF he counties have demonstrated
the sct, within the last few months. that it IS
far saseT 10 eireuIsefi5e their privileges II the
lcvyiug Of school taxes than TO rely upon their
voluntary action IN HffoFding adequate means
for the support o: schools Unfortunately. two
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