The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1910-02-28

and realizing that the proper education Of
our rural children is of as much import
ance to the welfare of the State as the
education Of its urban children. and further
recognizing that the present system Of
rural schools offers to the rural children
educational advantages greatly inferior to
those now offered to our villages and
cities.
Be it resolved, that the State of Mime
sofa should. proceeding along similar lines
to those by which it has built up lis
excellent system of urban. graded and
high schools, build up system of rural,
township, graded and high schools which
shall fully meet the needs of our rural
population and shall insure to them in
their home schools as much instruction in
elementary agriculture, manual training
and home economies as it is possible to
give.
Be it further resolved, that we recon-
mend the establishment of more schools
in the State Of the type Of the Crookston
School of Agriculture. and further believ-
ing that such system of rural. graded
and high schools can and will be estab-
lished in the near future,
Be it further resolved. that the move
ment for the establishment of agricultural
departments in urban high schools be
restricted to those high schools so situated
that the rural schools surrounding the
village or city can secure better results
through cooperation with the village or
city high school than through independent
organization. -s. j
Further be it resolved. that we recon-
mend to the State Legislature the estab-
ment of Rural High School Board whose
duties it shall be to foster and direct the
building up Of an efficient system of rural
schools. -..... -.
Whereas. Northern Minnesota is
region of fruitful soil. splendid waterways
and waterpowers, boundless wealth pro-
ducing resources and healthful climate.
and is the Variable parlor of natures
palace, and $500 -:
Whereas, the said State of Minnesota is
possessed of large and extensive areas of
lands secured under special grants from
the Federal Government, and said lands
as now handled constitute continuing
barrier against the early settlement and
development of Northern Minnesota by
landlockine the settlers in this region.
making the building of roads impossible,
and hence retardine the agricultural
development of Northern Minnesota.
Therefore be it resolved, that it is the
demand of Northern Minnesota in cOnven-
ton assembled. that speedy adequate
relief be afforded by the next Legislature
looking to the correction of these evils.
That laws be passed imposing tax on
all state lands not used exclusively for
public purposes to the end that these vast
areas of State lands in Northern Mime
sofa may pay their just proportion of the
tax necessary for the building of roads.
schools and public buildings. That State
lands, suitable for agriculture, when sold
or offered for sale, be sold in their virgin
state with the timber by contract or in
fee simple to the end that the settlers
building home on these tracts may
have some means of support from the
timber while developing these farms.
That the State lands. in order to be
handled rightly and intellieently be CLASH
fed and appraised after thorough
examination. That the present method
of dealing with actual settlers in matters
of contest with homesteaders whose
entries conflict with State Swamp selec-
tons be discouraged by appropriate Leeis-
lative enactment. That an amendment to
the Constitution of the State be submitted
to the people ammending article Eight
thereof so as to permit the enactment OF
better and more businesslike method of
disposing of State lands. having in view
the proper protection of the permanent
school fund of the State. =
The unanimous thanks of this conven-
ton is hereby proffered to the genial
gentleman, whose energy and executive
skill has been in so great measure
responsible for the successful completion
of the objects desired in the calling of this
convention for the spirit of harmony
among the thirty counties which his tact
has brought about, believing this is the
beginning of new era for northern
Minnesota this. we hereby thank Mr..
w. r. Mackenzie of Bemidji.
Be it further resolved, that the dele
gates of this convention, each and every
one of them, hereby express their appre-
citation of the courteous, hospitable treat
ment accorded them by the people of the
City of Bemidji during this convention.
M. N. Kohl. Chairman.
C. H. Mackenzie. Secretary
of the Committee of 80 on Resolutions.
The following we're adopted, in
addition to the foregoing:
Resolved, That It is the sense of
this convention that the Northern
Minnesota Development associa-
ton, through its executive com.
m1ttee, take such steps as may be
necessary to ascertain, as early as