Year: 1877




fullest OF vital concern for an enduring public
welfare Is that pertaining to our educational
interests. To exhibit at single view the
marvellous expansion of our common school
system, it will suffice to contrast the few par
ticulars Embraced in the first report of the Ter
ritorial Superintendent Of Public instruction,
made for. the year 1851, with the correspond
ing items in the last State report for the year
1876, covering an interval of % years:


1851. 1876.
Whole number OF school dis
Whole number OF school


Aggregate value Of school '
Total enrolment of scholars $50 151 ,s66


But, striking as these comparative figures
are, they give little idea of the actual improve
ment and efficiency OF our common schools
under their existing supervision. For evidence
of this fact, as we'll as for q thorough present.
alton OF the whole subject of common school
ton niasS mastery report OF the Superintend-
eat or Public instruction. If the noblest ap-
preciasioM tild the best practical management
result rom 8. realization Of the. faults as we'll
as the merits Of our school system, Mr. Burt
must be deemed an invaluable officer in the
discernnent and forcible presentation OF the
subject We are chiefly indebted tor the salu-
tary Grange III the app0rtiOnment of the
school funds. Instead OF distribution upon
the basis of the number of persons entitled to
attend, the number in actual attendance now
governs the apportionment. The Supern-
tendcnt. moreover, intimates that further
quiring not only formal enrolment, as at
present, hut an uninterrupted or aggregate at
tendance as the measure of monetary app0r-
tionmentl The first and most obvious result
of the change already effected, is to greatly
remedy that dilatory and random attendance
at our c0ramen schools which is one of the
principal obstacles to their SUCCESS. while such
by the additional requirement suggested.


To distribute school money for the benefit of
those who ere being actually educated by its
aid rather than to those who are entitled to
but neglect such aid, is at once obviously
equitable and a direct inducement for better
school attendance. When parents and school
managers realize that not only the benefits OF
pend upon more faithful and continuous at
tendance, it cannot but result advantageous
ly for all concerned. Mr.. Burt's report
abounds in pertinent suggestions. Instead
OF dealing in the easy and. discursive COM
mon places devoid Of practical application,
sdh which is the besetting temptation to SO many
treats the subject in the incisive and vigorous
manner usually productive OF specific results.
Having proven his right to urge changes for
greater efficiency bespeak your careful and
dispassi0nate consideration OF his recommen-
dation Tor restoration of uniform State
school tax with provision for its apportion-
ment, as we'll as Of his cogent reasons for the
measure.


We may indulge an honest pride in the
results already achieved with our common
schools and no reasonable effort should be
spared to perfect a system constituting one OF
the essential conditions to the perpetuatiOn of
popular institutions. Our permanent school
fund has reached the sum OF about s., ,39O, 900,
ranking fifth in amount among those OF the
States of the Union. If the residue of the
school lands shall realize prices equal to those
heretofore obtained, our common school en-
dowment will eventually reach the majestic
figure Of &26,Oo0,O00.


The subjsct of Normal School as legiti-
mate agency i'll our educational system has
elected much discussion. Without here en-.
tering upon the subject, simple justice sug-
gests that these schools are not fairly charge
able with the failure of any reasonable results
that may have thus far been expected of them
in this State. The inevitable legislative wran-
gle annually repeated over the needed meas
ure of their support, the disparaging COM
ments to which they are subjected, and the
uncertainty respecting their MAIN
tanance, place them at constant and serious
respectfully submit that this
treatment is neither just to these institutions
nor to the State Treasury burdened with their
support. In my Judgment they should be
sustained. At all events their
maintenance should either be abandoned or
provided for by standing ap-
preparation. Normal schools are recognized
as potent educational auxiliaries in twenty
seven of the States of the Union and are
maintained at an average annual cost OF about
S2l 900 each. In our State while it may be
doubted whether the creation of SO many as
three Of these schools at so early period and
with our slender resources, was wise, yet the
labor and cost of their first establishment
having now been borne their continued main:
tenance upon footing of useful lness will
scarcely admit OF a question, in view OF the
rapidly growing need of our common schools
for higher qualifications of teachers.


Owing to the failure of the last leg stature
to make the customary annual appropriations
for their support, these schools have been
thrown upon other resources, which cannot
long bear the burden. AS some of them will
be compelled to close by mid-winter unless
speedily relieved, you will see the necessity for
early action andI cannot doubt that you will
will give the subject that prompt and candid
consideration its Importance requires.


The attendance at these schools during the
year will be exhibited in the statement fol-
lowing:


Total Average