The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-12-29


Special to The Journal.
Grand Forks. N. D.. Dec. 29.-The nineteenth
annual session of the North Dakota Educa tional
association closed with a session Of the general
association, at which addresses were made by
Professor Webster Merrihed Of the University
of North Dakota and other prominent educators
The officers of the general association are
?. s. Berg, Larimore, president; A. NJ. Sfmp-
son, Forman, first vice president; Agnes Ber-
rington, Ardoch, second vice president; DIR.
George s. Thomas. Grand Forks, treasurer; A. T.
Hollis Valley City, secretary. DR.. S. c. Smith,
pastor Of the st. Paul Peoples church, deliv-
cred a lecture last night, and Cameron Mann.
bishop Of the North Dakota Episcopal church, de-
livered an address at the closing session today.
Superintendent Of Public Instruction w. L.
Stockweu spoke the retrospect and prospect
Of education in the state. and in an interesting
manner reviewed the history of educational prog
ress. Speaking Of the endowment Of common
schools and higher Institutions, he said that
when the state was admitted there nothing,
while today the fund approximates $1,000 600.
Of this, between $7,ooo,OOO and SsOooOOO is
the common school fund, the balance belonging
to the various institutions. This fund is all
interest bearing with the exception Of the cash
paid in at the recent sales, approXinating $780,
600, and probably this. a larger portion Of it,
may have to wait some time for investment,
owing to the fact that the avenues for invest
ment are at present few. This, he hoped. will
be remedied before another year rolls around by
the adoption of constitutional amendment to be
submitted to the voters at the next general
election. -. ~,,..,.-.
How School Fund Grows.
The income from these funds is used to support
I he common schools and Institutions Originally,
the interest and income from the lands and
mes and forfeitures, was added the 2-nillr state
chool tax. This constituted the state tuition
md and was apportioned by the state depart
lent. Beginning with $1O7 1923. 80 in $780, it in
| reased to $445, 630.34 in 1890. After that year
| nly the interest and income with fines and for
sltures was appropriated by the state. The
:-m1u tax has from this time been apportfoned
| the counties where it is collected. The state
| tuition fund. excluding the 2-mill tax in 1900.
amounted to $1S1. 067. 80. in 1904 to 1896 ST. sc
| and In 1905 to $41O,16 "a.
The Income from endowment this year alone
| has nearly equaled the combined income from
! the endowmt mt and the 2-mll tax of 1899
| He said that in all probability the income to
the various state institutions has exceeded $780,
ooo this year, whereas. six years ago it scarcely
amounted to one-tenth Of that; thus, it NAV be
seen how much the endowment means to education
| IN North Dakota and how carefully it should be
| sateguarded. The appCrtionment Of the common
| school fund In the past, on the basis Of school
census he sa1d has resulted In no special effort
| to get the children into school, but rather has
! placed premium on mat tendance. He said:
| ut is doubtful whether more unjust method
| OF distribution could be devised. The new basis
| OF apportionment upon attendance Of sixty days
| curing the school year Is a vast improy ement
| and while this may not be the ideal basis of ap-
port1onment still it better attendance
| longer terms. better enforcement of the comDul-
sorry attendance law and larger interest on the
part Of school officers in their schools
IN speaking of future educa ton in the state
he predicted there would be an adjustment OF
relations between the institutions Of higher
learning which will prevent duplication and even
trplcation Of work and which will allow each
OF these institutions to develop to the highest
point OF efficiency in its appointed field.