The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-01-07

vlction, such a classification was nut into
operation in 1889 by the board and with sueh
gratifying results that Minnesota grain in
spection stands pre-eminent Throughout TIA
world for the honesty and uniformity of its
grades and the business methods Of its ad-
m1nlstration. This scheme of classified serv-
ice was Endorsed and ratified by my pre-
uecessor, as was that business management
or all our state institutions previously begun
and has at all times received my hearty ap-
prevail.
Education.
The educational interests of the state have
materially advanced during the past two
years, Notwithstanding the prevailing stag
nation of business. In every county there il
average attendance and expenditure for school
purposes. The total value Of buildings ard
sites for public schools, including normal
schools and the state university, has in
creased from $14 049, 704 in 1894 to $1Gr232. $50
in 1885. The pupils enrolled have increased
from 941,4 to $50 1S9, and the gain in aver
age attendance was from 121 1876 TO 135. 702.
me school enrolment has increased faster
than population. and the average attendance
and value of school property nearly. if not
quite, twice as fast The increase in aver
age attendance is the most hopeful sign
showing that the object for which our people
tax themselves to support schools is being
attained to an increasing extent
The superintendent OF public instruction RE-
ports that one of the main agencies leading
to this great relative increase in average at
tendance is the use of free textbooks. He
tllcIeIUr6, joins Win the county SuDGrlnTeNQ-
ents and other school officials in recommend
ing that the free textbook system, now
optional with each district. be made com
pulsory. In this recommendation | most hear
tily concur.
The superintendent also recommends that
a Minnesota day for our public schools be
established-a day which shall be specially
devoted to teaching the history of the early
discovery and settlement of the state the
heroic deeds Of the sons of Minnesota on
the frontier and on the field OF war and
lode Of fba
OF the state and respect and love for its
institutions. | concur in this recommends
ton. and add further suggestion that the
legislature appropriate annually a small
sum Of money, 500 or $2G0, to be expended
under the joint authority of the superiE-
tendent OF public instruction and state his
tor1cal society for prizes to be distributed
among the students of our high schools for
essays upon topics of Minnesota interest
Among the other recommendations OF the
superintendent of public instruction, in which
| heartily concur, is the following:
small sum should be annually granted
to limited number OF schools in each cCuu-
ty. on condition that they maintain a high
standard. The rural schools labor under
many and great disadvantages which are not
met with in the schools Of cities and vii
lagos. The state should employ all practical
measures for encouraging an interest in
these schools. The measure here recon-
mended seeks to do for the rural schools
what is now accomplished 70. the town
schools by means of the present high school
law.
Inc superintendent furtES. recommends
additional appropriation TO N, - the expenses
of issuing state professional certificates an
increase in the aid to state graded schools
and to state high schools. These and the
other recommendations and suggestions OF
the superintendent Of public instruction in
GLIDING the proposed amendment or the
law for normal instruction in high schools
commend to your most thoughtful consid-
Grafton.
Normal Schools
The normal schools of the state are very
important factors in fostering and developing
our common schools whose great advance
ment in the past two years has just been
moderate appropriations to maintain their
high standard OF usefulness and efficiency
and to keep the buildings in a proper state
OF, repair. The school established at Duluth
by the last legislature will need liberal ap-
preparations If the same Is to be early
made an effective part of our educational
system.
State University. Up
The steady growth of this institution may
be noted by the following fact. In 1895 {
conferred $50 degrees upon its graduates and
in 1895, 1877 degrees. The legislature OF 1895
bestowed liberal appropriations upon the uni
versity, but its growth has. in many re-
spects, been greater than was toreseen and
hence there are many pressing calls for the
appropriation of money for this Institution
at your hands The departments OF botany
animal biology, drawing mining and metal
lurgy. together with the museum and thu
collection Of the geological and natural his
as may be, TN single building The proper
development OF the work OF q great univers-
ity. such as we have In our state institu-
ton. calls for more extensive aEcemHieaa Ions
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