Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1910-10-20

| UlSluullOuS CatdUllSllCu Ill tIlC UcklIlHlUR
of statehood made remarkable growth,
but the legislature has seen fit to organ
ize three additional institutions during
the past decade.
We may be permitted here to call at
tention to two things which have had
and we hope Mill have greater influence
in the future. One was conference Of
the heads of the state institutional in
situations, which met under the presi-
dency of the state superintendent of
public instruction during the legislative
session of 1907, and which made an hon
| est effort to define the field of the sew
'ral institutions. This conference and
its work were not altogether satisfac-
tory, yet it is an earnest of greater ef-
forts in the future for cooperation This
conference at least directed the atter,-
| ton of the state to what we consider
the proper function of a normal school,
namely, the training of elementary
teachers: to the wisdom of the yearly
elimination of preparatory department
a, such, at the university. and the crea
ton of a real teachers college and also
the fact that the institutions more re-
Gently created are not to conflict with
or aspire to be institutions of the rank
| of the Agricultural college and the uni
verSity. We look for other conferences
which shall definitely and for all time
| fix the policy of cooperation among
state educational institutions.
Two things in our normal school
/ work brough, about during the past
year are OF the highest educational val
! tie. These are the advance made in the
courses of study in normal schools,
bringing these courses up to the best
to be found in this country These
courses are, namely, the four year course
i for eighth grade graduates. and two
year course for high school graduates.
The additional course of ten and 4 half
months for rural school teachers is at
least a realization of the need of special
training for these young people who arc
going to do the really great work of
our educational system, which is the
education of the boys and girls OF the
country.
Before bringing this address to Il
close, we desire to direct the attention
of this great body to the wonderful
growth of the common school and insti
tuition funds. and to the fact that in spite
Of many difficulties. the care and man-
agemcnt of these trust funds should be
a matter of congratulation and state
pride. Our school lands thanks to tina,
Grand Old Man, General H. II. Bradle, !
not been sold for less than ten dollars
IN acre. These funds are inviolatc: the
credit of this sovereign state is pledged
to their protection. The increase in
these funds during the past decade is
from about four millions to over twenty
million dollars. The income to the
common school has has grown from
less than quarter of million dollars
to over a million dollars during the last !
school year The time is at hand when
there is need of more permanent man
agc,ncnt of these funds Good business |
sense would seem to direct that the
man who manages this great bushes,
ought to be worth and ought to COM
mand a salary in excess of 81, 500 a year.
which is now the salary of the COM
missioner of university and school lands.
and further, the present method of APP
portioning this money on the basis of
enumeration only will in time paupcrize
the common school,
| trust the day may never come in |
North Dakota when we do not have to
go into our pockets to help pay for the
education of our children.
May say, in closing, that the great
needs of education in North Dakota
today can be comprised in concerted
movement to raise the standard of the
rural schools and provide adequate
means for properly training and super
vising the teachers of the rural schools
in seeing that the physical and moral
wcll-being Of our children is adequately |
considered. and in fixing in the minds
If every child the ideal that his great
est service to his state is found III hon
est. efficient citizenship.
In submitting these thoughts for your
consideration, | desire to thank the cdu-
Gators Of this state for the loyal support
through sunshine and shadow and for
what at times has been personal dcvo-
ton. While my active educational car
Ger is about to close. | shall never fail
to have a deep and abiding interest in
the educational welfare of the state to
which | have given the best years OF
my life