The Saint Paul globe., 1900-04-12
HER SCHOOLS HER GROWN
EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM MAKES MIN.
NEsOTA A QUEEN AMONG ALL
THE STATES
sUPT. LEWIS HAS FIGURES
To Demonstrate That the High Rep
utatiOn of the Schools of the
State Has Facts to Sus-
tain 1t.

State Superintendent Of Public Instruc-
toln j. IL. Lewis yesterday completed a
compilation of figures showing the growth
and progress of the educational system Of
! the state during the last twenty-five
years. During that period the school pop
ulation of Minnesota doubled twice over,
and the number of teachers and the
amount spent annually, shows a CORE
| among the first states in the country in
the matter of its educational system,
which has more than once been copied in
the sincerest testimonial to it's worth.
During that period the state of Mime
sofa grew from a population of 100000 to
something like 100000 The census hav-
ing not been taken since 1885, the exact
| population Of Minnesota can only be es-
timated, but conservative men place the
figures very close to 100000 From 1875
to 1900 the school population of Mime
sofa grew from 107,0A to 4O5, 600, while
the number of teachers employed in the
schools proportionately made a much
greater stride. from 1889 to 1900.
Perhaps as significant a fact as any
that can be drawn from the table is the
salaries paid teachers during the twenty
five years. Starting with 1875, teachers
received on an average of $30.25 per
month for their services, and for 1900 the
average will be about $40. twenty-five
years ago Minnesota had but 2,975 school
houses. Today 1900 rural schools, that
are on par with any. in the United
States, and frequently superior and high
er in standard to those of many older
Eastern states.
School property in Minnesota twenty
five years ago was valued at $2,520, 1865,
while today it could not be reproduced
for $16,000,0O0. From an educational stand
point, in respect to progress and modern
methods, the development of the educa-
t1onal system has been still greater when
relatively considered.
The permanent school fund of twenty-five
years ago amounted to $3,030,127. Five
years ago it was $11, $780, ,000 and this year
the total amount in the hands of the state
treasurer invested in interest-bearing
bonds Of other states and the govern
ment, is very close to $13,000,000
From comparisons given above it will
be seen that Minnesota has, educational
ly, made rapid advances during the last
twenty-five years, and, while commercial
ly and agriculturally the state has made
a phenomenal development, the educa-
tional interests have kept pace with the
times, and the result is most gratifying
The figures are as follows:
In 1875, population of state, 595, ,4O7;
school population, 1O7044; number of
teachers, 1883; average wage, $30.25; num-
Der school houses, 2,975; value school
houses, $3.50, 1865; permanent school fund,
$3030,127
In 1880, population, 7SO,773; school pop
ulation, 172, ,145; teachers, $500; average
wages, $31 40; school houses, 3,416; value,
$3OS4, ops; permanent school fund, $4O5O, ,729
In 1885, population, 1,117,79S; school, pop
ulation, 233, ,721; teachers, 1857; average
wages, $35; school houses, 4,S9S; value,
$6646, 200; permanent school fund, $6,731,-
In $780, population, 1901, 1926; school pop
ulation, 280,960; teachers, 1913; average
wages, $36.75; school houses, 1852; value,
$8,S43, 412; permanent school fund, So, ,955 ,92O.
In 1895, regulation, 1,574,619; school pop
ulation, 1852, ,092; teachers, 1910; average
wages, $39; school houses, 6,525; value,
$10,71O, 300; permanent school fund, $11, $50
600.
In 1900, estimated population, 1000, 600;
school population, 405, COO; teachers, 1900;
average wages estimated, $40; school
houses, 1900; value, $16, GOO, 600; permanent
school fund estimated, $13,0GO,O0O.