The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1893-01-12

Dtpdt tlHellIS OI law anu medicine nave Deen cS-
tablished and are in most successful operation.
There were 453 law and medical students in at
tendance In 1892, and in 1898 the number will no
doubt reach, if not exceed, 600. The fees charged
students in these departments are nearly sufi-
Gent to pay the salaries of all the instructors,
and will in the near future be more than ample
for this purpose. Perhaps nothing pertaining
to the progress and growth of the university has
been more marked and original than the estab-
lishment of school of practical agriculture CIV
ing special instruction in all that pertains to the
theory and practice of agriculture in all its
branches. In connection with this school and as
a part thereof is a dairy hall. ample and well
equipped. in which instruction is given in the
theory and practice of cheese and butter making
by an expert instructor. This school has been
well patronzed by the sons of our farmers. In
1891 the attendance was 1O4. In 1892 it was l15,
and in 1898 it will be over 40, and would be far
more if there were sufficient accommodations.
While the state has dealt literally with the
university, yet its growth has of late been so
rapid that appropriations have not always kept
pace with its wants. An increase in the force of
instructors has been made from time to time,
and is still needed. and such increase, to my
knowledge. urgently calls for additional apprO-
priatiOns. The library and assembly-rooms are
located in the old main building. which was so
injured by fire in April, 1892. that the assem-
bly, room has been unfit for use since that time
The quarters occupied by the library afford very
inadequate room, and wholly unsafe in case of
fire. An assembly room sufficient for the great
audience of students and a safe and commOdiOus
place for the large and valuable library are
among the most urgent wants of the university
The regents think that, with economy and adj
vantage. these twO-library and assembly rooms
should be combined in one suitable and sub
stantia building. and for this they appeal to you
for liberal appropriation at your hands.
Our normal schools are increasing in useful
ness and in attendants, and seem to keep on adj
vanced ground in all that pertains to their Spe-
cial lines of education.
Our high schools have become excellent feed
ers for our university, and have, to a large eX-
tent. assumed the sphere and absorbed the
work of the Od-faShOned academies. and there
by they have brought the advantages of higher
education close to the doors of the mass of our
people.
Ourconinon school systematic priceless jewel
of our liherty-grOws in quality and effectiveness
year by year. Through summer training schools
at the university and at other points in the state
as well rs through teachers institutes. the teach
erS acquire II skill and aptitude for their work
which greatly raises the standard of our common
schools. Liberal appropriations for these train
ing schools is money well invested. and there can
be no serious objection to setting aside portion
OF the one mill school tax for this purpose re-
commended by the superintendent of public in
Struction. The contract for the supply of text
books for our common schools. which has been
in existence for fifteen years. expired last Au-
gust. We are now RENTED to the status. which
existed prior to 1877. under which the pupils sup
piled themselves with such books as the school
board for the time being selected Under this
system books were dear, changes frequent. and
there was an entire lack of uniformity. To avoid
these drawbacks, some action. it seems to me. is
urgently needed Oh your part TO secure the
highest order of books. at the lowest possible
price. with uniformity and stability. ought to be
the central idea of any plan that may be devised.