The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-11-30
LEGISLATION FOR SCHOOLS.
Recommends New Plans for Invest.
ment of Permanent Fund-state
Control Of Inssitutes-Need Of Fa-
eilftfes for Normal Training.

ipisIAIcN 70 TIE t1OSt-l infringement
OLYMPIA. Nov. Estate Supesinsend-
ent Brownies biennial report to the govern
or and legislature Is about completed. and
vii. be fled with the secretary Of stare
within few days. Among other recam-
mendattons by Superintendent Browne viii
appear the following suggestions. en- whieA.
in his opinion, legislation IS needed.
The state land commissioners are au-
fhor.zed by law TO invest the permaa mt
school fGnd, when accumulated 10 he
amount OF 500 or more. in national.
state, nuDicipa. or other county bonds. a.
par OF the United States. this state. or OF
the counties or school districts. bearing not
less than 5 per cent. per annum. or In war
rants drawn upon The state Of Washing
ton
'Insomuch as the rarke. price OF the
securities named IN the law is now and
for some tine has been above par. II IA :
not been possible 10 inses. the school fund
under the provisions of the statute, and
the fund has accumulated until there now
is n the treasury over S230,ea subject I'd
investment by the commission, Apart
from an occasional demand on the part OF
some school district desiring 20 fund a small
district bond. there has been no demand
for investment
The legislature should enact such laws
viii enable the investment Of this fund.
The loss 10 the schools amounts 10 tho2-
sands OF dollars annually under the pres
snt conditions. IL is suggested that law
be enacted permitting the state land COM
'+Firs,-To invest the permanent school
fund In state or territorial bonds at per
cent
"second-To invest in United States bonds
at Per cent.
.-Thiri-To invest in warrants drawn on
the normal school lands, the state euaTaD-
teeIng me payment of interest annually.
"Eourth--To invest in warrants secured
by the state capitol lands. the state guar
anteeng interest annually.
THE selection Of lands for The state nor
maj schools and for the state capito. are
now OF such character as &c secure the
value of those warrants n the future, ara
ny such investments the current schooi
funds will receive constant benent ~ the
annual interest Though this be but J per
cent il is far better than to permit me
fund 10 lie idle, producing no interest what
ever
After two years operation OF the code OF
public school instruction Cav OF lsSl,
beg leave TO recommend for the consider
alton of the legislature the foi!o"lns
items on which legislation appears 10 be
neeiful.
"Revenues-The apparent uniform sat
isfaction regarding the levy and distriJu-
ton of the school funds argues In favor OF
a still broader application OF the princ.-
pie and il appears wise 10 authorize the
state board Of equalization to levy at least
s. per annum for each child enumerated
in the school census. instead OF 80, as IL re-
qsared by the present law. and 10 Increase
the minimum term Of school 20 az least
five months in the year.
tenn. as now conducted. is so devoid OF un.-
form plan or method in the various coun-
ties. thai il appears wise 10 consiier the
the advisability Of placing them at
ment TO the end that they may
distribute their usefulness more equal
y TO all the counties OF the state
The argument for equal rights and priv
leees which is used 10 maintain "A uniform
school system in the state is equally appl.-
cable 10 .hs training and inspiration of
the teachers.
Normal and Training Schools-T'he
standard for teachers certificates has been
raised 10 a higher point than ever before
in this state years record of examina-
examined and received certificates 1883
failed entirely. and 49, temporary eertt-
Gates we're issued by the county superin-
tendents. These facts show that large
percentage OF our teachers gain places In
the schools through the door Of the exam
ination room. instead Of through the door
Of the normal school or training schools
They also show that n the several eoun-
ties The appointments were led 20 issue
about 800 temporary certificates to prevent
the schools from being deprived Of teach
solves Itself 10 this: Must the standard oe
lowered. and tyres ana nov.ces be paced
N. charge q. the schools. or must the
standard D" maintained and adequate
means ho provided for professional train
ing by the state To make the teachers
work professor, the standard dare nor
the chiidren and 10 The commonwealth
TIE common schools deserve trained teach
crs. The legislature can 90 no better than
to provide adequate means 10 this end
state Board Of EduCAtion-The et!uca-
Gonal DEPARTMENT of state Is by mature
expansive The growth OF me schools i'm
ply new duties and Increased supervision.
! he additional organization demanded ty
the growing interests in teachers readIag
circles. n teachers associations. in hign
school work, IL Tutal graduation ard m
the tendency 10 unity all the elements Of
}ne public schools Of the state has placed
ljaua the state board al education ANA the
STATE superintendent office enlarged op-
gortuniteS ana responsibilities ard tire
Jaw governing tho board. ana also the law
teiat.Dg 20 the board OF higher eiacat!on
should be- modified To permit II the proper
administration 6! the dulles resulting from
the natural growth Of the school system.
School L:hrarics-The absence of a
school library 5a~ mas In some instances
distracted the intellectual growth OF com
muu.teS. and some law Should be enacted
hereby certain amount may be tx
pended annually by the directors OF
school district for suitable books. selected
und"r advice from tac county supetiutgaa-
ptt or ma state hoard OF psflsfs.ffnN