State and the title to the lands shall be transferred from the National Government, the question of the management of the school lands becomes one of great importance; especially so when the history of school lands in other States is considered, for it is generally found to be a history of "extravagance, waste, fraud, and disappointment to the friends of education." in others much valuable timber has been removed from them, and, unless some steps many parts of the Territory settlements have been made on the school lands, and the soon taken to check these trespasses, so great will be the number of depredators that they will be able to influence legislation in their favor, and the public schools will be thus robbed of their resources. If the school lands are sold and the funds invested for the benefit of the schools, the principal can never increase while the interest must gradually decrease; but if the lands are held by the State and leased out on long terms, the value of the lands would greatly increase and the school funds be thus augmented, and in no case could the loss exceed ne year's income. This plan is strongly recommended by General W. H. H. Beadle, exTerritorial superintendent of public instruction, who is better acquainted with the subjeet than any one else in the Territory, and it is fully endorsed by the board of education. In connection with these lands it should always be remembered that they were granted by the General Government for the benefit of the common schools; special grants having been made for universities, normal schools, and the agricultural college; that the lands granted to many of the other States have been sold and the money wasted, and it therefore becomes the people of Dakota to guard theirs with jealous care lest another dark chapter be written in the history of public-school lands. SCHOOL-HOUSES. There are four thousand one hundred and two school-houses in the Territory, with an estimated average value of about eight hundred dollars; the number of children of school age to each house, according to the latest estimates of the population, is twenty-eight. In school accommodations for its children, therefore, Dakota ranks with the first States in the country. Many of the houses, though, are not built with as much regard to the comfort and convenience of the pupils as the extreme cold and severity of the winter storms require. All of them should be built with a fuel pit or cellar beneath them so that it would not be necessary to leave them in severe weather to secure fuel. The last Legislature authorized the department of education to "adopt the best plans and specifications for the construction of school-houses, and to furnish the same to the various school boards of the Territory, when needed, free of charge." Quite a number of urgent requests for plans were received, but as the Legislature made no appropriation to secure them, nothing could be done by the department. A small appropriation should be made for this purpose, and a saving of money in the construction of houses as well as the insuring of better light, heating, ventilation, and sanitary will result, condition. EQUIPMENT OF SCHOOLS. Sixty-one schools are without blackboards, and 1,034 without an unabridged dictionary. Two hundred and seventeen have school libraries containing 4,937 volumes. Local school officers have been encouraged to avail themselves of the provisions of the law regarding libraries, as it is thought that they will prove of great value to the children. UNIFORMITY OF SCHOOL SYSTEM. Seventy-six counties of the Territory have the township system, and fifteen the distriet system. The two plans have thus been in direct contact, and with the exception of the fact that the district brings the people into close relations with the schools, all the arguments are in favor of township districts. In the counties operating under the dis triet system the law has been so obscured by enactments, repeals, and reenactments that it is difficult to determine what the law is, and many disputes have been occasioned. It is is very desirable that the Legislature place these fifteen counties under the township plan like the other seventy-six counties. SCHOOL TERM. The average length of a school term in 1887-88 was one hundred and six days, three less than in the previous year, the decrease being caused by a failure of crops in a few the counties. The highest average in any county was one hundred and forty-three the lowest was sixty-three days; but one hundred and fifty districts had no school The law does not require the schools to be open any specified length of time, and some of the districts the officers would not levy a sufficient tax to provide schools. It Bould be required that every district maintain a school for at least five months, and in se of failure that the county superintendent be empowered to do so. 4 4 Less the rest albania ther getting all the jale sausfacery, and produbly prove very ad the wooooa of a thoroughly qualified wanty superintendent is very very this in making them a stoles He should be the lead$947 an in a' cases should be repaired to hold a first-grade dev kuld be and to have a superbien dent whose daty it was 翼 VAK PRO ONA Bot pass the examination himself Most of the su are we to tum men prepared especially for teaching, but in some cases inmen, ang table and of education should have the power to remove perintendents should be made longer. "A good 28 to pet his word organized till he is called upon to give it up or seek He anould be allowed a larger salary by law and relieved in a measure from tak reebraith aequemly placed upon him by the county commissioners. He has an important work to do and he should be given the opportunities to perform his duty wel, and receive a ju a colo; chestion for it. vide, tue donacion of school required by law, he should have authority to step in and proWhen township school boards fail to provic it In many waf [13 uthority in school matters should be extended and his position bac, od up Hei the most important officer in the whole educational machine, and though it we may to some extent destroy his usefulness so long as he exists at all they can not destroy his influence, In all that looks to real advancement in education be must be the leader, no matter what the work or influence of other officers. Every possible safeguard should be thrown around his election, and he should be removed as far as possible from partían politics." TEXT-BOOKS. While nearly all the States and Territories have laws regulating the use of text-books In the schools, the Legislature of Dakota has done nothing at all with reference to it. It would prove highly advantageous if it were required that a uniform series of textbooks be used throughout the entire Territory, and the Legislature should pass a law requiring uniformity in the townships at least, and that when a series has been adopted It should not be changed in less than five years; and when this has been enacted the different township officers can hold a convention and adopt a common system, and thus secure uniformity throughout each county. FOREIGN LANGUAGES, The law requires that the common schools shall be taught in the English language; but some instances came to the attention of the board of education where the teacher was not even able to speak the English language, and nothing could be done about it, as the foreign element was so strong that they not only controlled the schools but the election of county superintendent also, and a strong public sentiment was created in support of the schools taught in a foreign language. The board of education recommends that it be authorized to remove any county superintendent who refuses to enforce the law on this subject. RECOMMENDATIONS. The following recommendations are made to the Territorial Legislature: That the fifteen counties now operating under the district system be placed under the township system. That the county treasurer be made ex-officio treasurer of the several school townships of his county. That a general board of control be established to have charge of the various public educational institutions for higher and special instruction. That the law relating to the issuing of bonds by school townships be so amended as to authorize the clerk and chairman of the school board to execute the bonds instead of the clerk and director, no such officer as director having been established. . That a law be passed to prevent trespasses upon the school lands. That a general territorial tax be levied for the support of schools, to be distributed to the several counties in proportion to the school enrolment. That the clerk of the township school board be required to hold a receipt from the county superintendent that his annual report has been correctly made and delivered before he shall be allowed the last half of his salary. That an appropriation be made to secure plans and specifications for school-houses, and that it be required that school-houses be built according to them. That a uniform law be passed regulating the out-houses of the rural schools. That each school district be required to maintain a school for at least four months each year. That first-grade teachers' certificates be valid for three years and entitle the holders to teach in any county in the Territory. That the board of education be authorized to enforce the course of study prescribed by law. That each director of the subdistricts be allowed two dollars for each quarterly meeting be attends. That the appropriation of $50 per county for institute purposes be changed to an ap- That the law relating to the powers of the subdistrict directors be so amended as to leave the entire control of the schools and the employment of a teacher to a township school board. That it be made a misdemeanor for a clerk and chairman to execute any contract unless previously ordered so to do at a regular meeting of the board, or at a special meeting called according to law. Directors should be prohibited from signing any contract or agreement for furniture or fixtures at any time. feat the county superintendent be elected for four years; that residence in the county at to be required, but that a minimum standard of qualifications be established, and that he be subject to removal by the Territorial board of education. [From the Report of the State Board of Education to the Governor, 1888.] "The progress of education during the year ending June 30, 1888, has been very satFactory; indeed, it is not too much to say that it has been gratifying beyond anything expected. It is safe to affirm that during no year of our entire educational that we had cory has so great an advance been made in all that pertains to the real work of education, no matter in what line considered. Although the reports from local officers to ber of school-houses built, the amount of money raised in the Territory for school purthis department are not all in, enough is known to bear us out in saying that the numposes, and the number of children of school age in the Territory show a healthy and rigorous growth. But the results of the year's activity is not shown in statistics altoEther, but rather in an awakened interest in all that pertains to education, in a more ing force, in an increasing number of pupils in the higher and special schools, and lastly, actal pblic support given our educational workers, in larger enthusiasm in the teach though not least, in the convergence of all lines of educational work toward one general system of schools for the Territory. Our people are looking more to the kind of training their pupils are receiving. Our teachers are becoming more professional, and are putting forth much greater efforts to prepare themselves for efficient service, as is attested by a greatly enlarged attendance upon the teachers' institutes, associations, and normal schools. The people generally take a lively interest in school affairs, and are proud of our educational progress and standing, and are each year making greater efforts and sacrifices in behalf of our school system. There is no demand made upon them that is so readily and generously supplied as the demand for funds for school purposes. We have reasons to be satisfied with the present and hopeful for the future.” CITY GRADED AND HIGH SCHOOLS. "Great progress is being made by the principal cities in the Territory in matters pertaining to education. Fine and substantial buildings are being erected, and all the apparatus and appliances are being provided that are necessary for thorough school work. Skillful and experienced teachers are being sought in the educational centers of the East, and modern methods are adopted in all of the schools. Good salaries are usually paid, and tenure of office of both principals and teachers is becoming more permanent." SCHOOL LANDS. "No subject incident to the school affairs of Dakota is of greater interest and importance to her people than the subject of school lands. Hon. P. F. McClure, commissioner of immigration of the Territory, estimates the number of acres of school lands at three millions, and the estimate is a low one. At the very moderate valuation of six dollars per acre these lands represent a magnificent school fund of eighteen million dollars. If this sum were at the present time paying five per cent., the annual income from this source would be nearly sufficient to cover half the total expenditures for school purposes in Dakota. In their present condition the schools are deriving no benefit from them. Although the lands of the Territory generally are rapidly increasing in value, in many places the school lands are depreciating in value. Unoccupied lands in the eastern part of the Territory are becoming very scarce and the pressure of settlers is very great, so that much of the school land is occupied and cultivated. It is not a rash estimate that puts the portion of the school lands now cultivated at one-fourth of the whole. Each crop taken from them is impoverishing the land and diminishing its value, for the cultivator is anxious to get all he can from it without making any return to the land and with the least possible care of it. Many sections through this neglect are growing up to noxious weeds and will soon be in a condition that will make them valueless to any one. We would earnestly urge the Department of the Interior to take such steps as may be deemed wise to prevent further despoliation of these lands, that the people of this Territory, in whose behalf they have been set aside, may receive them undiminished in value. We would most respectfully advise that Congress take action authorizing their rental for the benefit of the schools of the Territory. In many parts of the Territory the lands would readily rent at the rate of from fifty cents to one dollar per acre for grain-raising purposes, while the unbroken sections would be easily disposed of at a fair rent for hay and pasturage, and the value to the new State remain undiminished. We believe that such a disposal of them would meet the universal approval of our people. In a new country like this the demands upon the people that must be met by way of taxation are very numerous and burdensome. In some counties the rate of levy for school purposes alone is 27 mills, a tax that would not be levied or borne in many of the older and more wealthy States. Many of the people have come here to make homes, and have brought little capital with them besides their courage and energy, and the burdens of taxation are very grievous. A small income now from the school lands will be far more helpful to them than four times the amount ten years hence. We would, therefore, respectfully urge that immediate steps be taken to prevent further waste of the school lands and to give the people of the Territory some present benefit from them." DELAWARE. [From Report for 1888 of A. N. Raub, President of the State Board of Education.] GENERAL STATEMENTS. The president of the State board of education thinks that it was the intention of the framers of the law of 1887 that a biennial report should be made by the State board of education on the first Tuesday of December, 1888, instead of in 1889; and he has acted upon this presumption. Great difficulty has been experienced in collecting full and accurate statistics under the new law, as its requirements are so meagre and the incorporated boards are under no obligation to furnish statistics to the county superintendents. It is not deemed advisable to recommend the adoption of a law for compulsory school attendance, as it would probably prove inoperative and unpopular. COUNTY SUPERINTENDENCY. The law establishing county superintendency proves to be a very wise one; the superintendents appointed by the Governor have discharged their duties faithfully and conscientiously. The schools have been regularly visited by them, and the examinations carefully conducted; they have held annual county institutes in which thoroughly qualified instructors were employed, and from which the teachers doubtless received great The term of office of the county superintendent should be at least two years, and it sess special qualifications and experience in teaching. would be better if it were four years; and the superintendent should be required to pos benefit. TEACHERS' CERTIFICATES. questions given at a teachers' examination is entitled to a third-grade certificate which According to the present regulations, a candidate who answers sixty per cent. of the s valid thers, it is necessary to answer ninety per cent. of the questions. In most of the States the ability required to obtain this second-grade certificate would entitle to a certificate practically good for life. Correct answers to eighty per cent. of the questions should entitle to a second-grade certificate. for three years, presumably in the county for which it was issued. It should be valid applicant shall be qualified in certain specified branches, and the certificate is valid only is somewhat indefinite; but it requires that the throughout the State, and should be renewable every three years by the county superin tendent. Certificates valid for life should also be issued to those who had held first-grade ceran incentive to teachers to make teaching their life-work, and would elevate the protificates and had taught successfully for a certain number of years, as this would prove ware if a like courtesy were shown in other States to the holders of life certificates issued It is thought, too, that the life certificates of other States should be recognized in Dela fession. by Delaware. THE HUNDRED SYSTEM. Or a modification The efficiency of the schools would be very much increased by abolishing the school districts and making the hundreds, as at present constituted, the school units; thus adopting what is called in the western States the township system. of this system might be adopted by dividing the hundreds into incorporated boroughs and rural districts. One advantage arising from this system would be that a high school might be estab lished in each hundred. TEMPERANCE INSTRUCTION. it cannot be expected that a law so loosely worded can effect much in a short time, as The law requiring instruction in temperance and hygiene is faithfully observed, but the FREE TEXT-BOOKS. A law should be enacted permitting each district to furnish free text-books to its pupils, it gives eminent satisfaction wherever it has been tried, and when once adopted is never abandoned. It would secure books at less cost, and increase the attendance of pupils, as indigent pupils would not be kept at home on account of the expense of furnish clase distinctions. INCORPORATED SCHOOL BOARDS. According to the present laws, schools having incorporated school boards have no supervision except that given by the commissioners, and their teachers are exempt from examination. It would be better if all the schools of a county, except those under special superintendents, were placed under the county superintendent. NORMAL TRAINING. tion for the special training of teachers, and a diploma from it should entitle the holder, Delaware, like most of the other States and of the Territories, should have an institu |