It is no more patent to the human mind that the prosperity, stability and perpetuity of a State are matters of supreme concern, than that liberal and judicious provisions for fostering and building up public instructions, for both political and economical reasons, are matters of supreme concern. Public education in this country is the most effective means yet devised to promote general intelligence and morality.

     It also removes much of the friction in society in the way of crime, and hence becomes a public and practical necessity in every State. The greater the degree of education in any community or State, the greater the security of life and property; or in other language, general intelligence resulting from popular education is effective in preserving life and property, and hence, of increasing wealth by productive industry.

     This is the substructure on which the free school system of Nebraska is based. Money expended under this system is not a gift in charity, but a most profitable investment to the State, simply because the wealth and prosperity of a self-governing State is entirely dependent on the intelligence of its citizens.

     Profiting by the experience of the older States, Nebraska has incorporated into her Common School system what has been proved by experiment as the most advantageous and economical methods.

     The school revenues from the State are classed under two heads, temporary fund, and permanent fund.

     During the two years ending December 31, 1878, there was placed to the credit of the temporary school fund, and distributed to the Counties, and by them to the school districts, the sum of four hundred and thirty-eight thousand, three hundred and fifteen

dollars and twelve cents, derived from the following sources: Interest on land sold $129,033.50; interest on leased lands, $62,633.93; private loans, $2,540; State and County bonds, $73,572.25: school tax collected, $170,185.81; from all other sources, $349.63; total, $438,315.12.

     Of this sum there was disbursed in 1877, $169,281.88; and in 1878, $205,637.88, an increase of $36,356. The rate per pupil in 1877 was, $1.83; and in 1878, $1.99.

     There is a great difficulty in the way of arriving at a correct statement of the permanent fund, owing to the fact that its productive value is constantly changing. The whole amount of land leased prior to 1877, was 80,381 acres, and since that date up to December 31, 1878, 100,918 acres, making a total of 181,299 acres, at an average price of $4.45 per acre. Prior to 1877, 110,362 acres were sold at an average price of $9.26 per acre, and since that date, up to December 31, 1878, 26,819 acres, at an average price of $7.54.

     One hundred and eighty-one thousand, two hundred and ninety-nine acres at $4.45 gives a valuation of $806,758, which is at eight per cent. The income in 1878 from unpaid principal on school lands, was $46,635.43, which indicates a valuation on which such interest was paid, of $777,257.16. The total productive school fund on the 31st of December, 1878 was as follows:

     By a constitutional provision this is made a trust fund, and if any part is lost, the State is obligated to replace it. The interest can be used for the payment of teachers and for no other purpose whatsoever. The interest on the State bonds is eight per cent., and six per cent. on school bonds, the interest prior to 1877 being ten per cent.

     The following is a summary, of the school statistics of Nebraska, from 1870 to 1879. It will prove of more value in showing the progress and healthy condition of the educational system of the State than would be a volume of remarks by the author.

     The following statement shows the rapid expansion of the educational advantages of Nebraska, during the past nine years:

     Total number of School Districts in the State, 2,776; number of graded schools, 60; number of ungraded schools, 2,716; school age of pupils, from five to twenty-one years.

THE STATE UNIVERSITY,

Located at Lincoln, was established by Act of the Legislature in 1869, and opened in 1871. Rev. E. B. Fairfield, D. D., L. L. D., Chancellor; Professors, eight; Tutors, six; legislative appropriation, $25,000 per year.

     By Act of the Legislature five Colleges are authorized to be established as follows;

     1. A College of Literature, Science and the Arts.

     2. An Industrial College embracing Agriculture, Practical Science, Civil Engineering, and the Mechanic Arts.

     3. A College of Law.

     4. A College of Medicine.

     5. A College of the Fine Arts.

     As yet only the first two have been established. Fourteen instructors devote their time to the University; Military and Preparatory departments have been added; the library contains 2,100 well selected volumes, and the cabinet consists of many thousand specimens of the various departments of Natural History; tuition is free to all, except for music, painting and drawing both sexes are admitted. Two hundred and eighteen students were enrolled for 1879. The University has an endowment of 46,080 acres, and the Agricultural College an endowment of 90,000 acres donated to the State by the General Government for their permanent support.

     Located at Peru, Nemaha County, was opened in 1867, Robert Curry, A. M., Ph. D., Principal. Assistant teachers, eight; students enrolled in 1879, 242; legislative appropriation $12,000 per year; tuition free.

     This school, designed principally for the education of young ladies and gentlemen as teachers, has been remarkably successful, it being necessary during the two years just passed to employ assistant teachers to meet the wants of the increased attendance. The studies pursued are an elementary normal course of two years; an advanced English normal course of three years, and an advanced classical normal course of three years. By an Act of the Legislature, approved June 20th, 1867, twenty sections of the Saline lands of the State were set apart as an endowment for this school.

     Located at Omaha, was opened in 1869. J. A. Gillespie, Principal; assistant teachers, three; pupils, fifty-two; legislative appropriation, $6,000 per annum.

     This institution aims to give its pupils a good common school education, and especially to give them a command of the English language. The highest branches now taught are Physiology, Universal History, Geography and Arithmetic.

     The Principal in a recent letter says: "We teach articulation as a branch of our work. We do this by means of Bell's Visible Speech, a system founded upon the positions the vocal organs assume to produce sounds. As to trades we have but one, --printing. We have now thirteen boys learning this. They print the Mute Journal of Nebraska, a monthly publication. The smaller boys are trained in gardening and farm work. The girls are taught house-work and sewing."

     The Institute building is a commodious brick structure, located on the outskirts of the City of Omaha, and was erected in 1871, at the expense of the State.

     Located at Nebraska City, was opened in 1875. Principal, J. B. Parmlee; assistant teachers, three; pupils December, 1878, twenty,one; legislative appropriation, $5,450.00 per annum.

     This Institution is admirably conducted, and is doing excellent service. The school is divided into three departments, viz.: The literary, musical, and industrial, separate in themselves, yet forming one complete course of instruction. The studies pursued are arithmetic, algebra, grammar and analysis, physical and descriptive geography, rhetoric, physiology, history, reading spelling and penmanship.

     The musical department has made rapid advancement under the efficient management of Jacob Niermeyer, who is himself blind. The choir and band meet every afternoon on alternate days. Two pianos, an organ, flutes, and violins make up the equipment of instruments.

     In the industrial department the boys and young men are required to spend a certain number of hours each day at the trades taught, which at present are limited to broom making, cane seating, etc.

     The girls and young ladies are instructed in all kinds of sewing, knitting, crocheting, bead-work, etc.

© 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 for NEGenWeb Project by Pam Rietsch, T&C Miller