History of Dakota Territory, volume III, Part 84

Author: Kingsbury, George Washington, 1837-; Smith, George Martin, 1847-1920
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : S.J. Clarke Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1146

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In the biennial report of the regents of education, December 1, 1892, were many important suggestions and recommendations. The board looked upon the state university as the "crowning institution of the educational system." They said, "Its duty is to furnish, as fully as its means will allow, to every ambitious young man or woman in the state, an opportunity for the highest mental disci- pline. It must be for the state the center of activity and interest in science, literature, language and the arts." It should be so equipped and sustained that all ambitious young men and women of the state could secure here a useful and liberal education. The two normal schools had their peculiar and special work, which was to prepare teachers for all public schools. The work of the school of mines was distinctly technical, its functions being simply to give instruction in mining, mining engineering, prospecting, assaying, and reducing ores. The work of the agricultural college was broadened by the assistance of the national endow- ment. Its function was to give instruction in the productive and manual indus- tries. Its studies, the regents said, should bend distinctly toward a helpful prepa- ration for the pursuits of agriculture, the mechanic arts, and the domestic indus- tries. In addition, it should give a good English education, with every possible advantage afforded for the mastery of the sciences. It should be scientific and still practical.

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The university primarily offered the usual college course of four years, known here as the college of arts and sciences. Students graduating from this course or college, received the degree of bachelor of arts. This course was the central idea of the university and imparted a general or liberal education. It was, in fact, the fine old humanities course adapted to modern conditions, seeking those cul- ture values that characterize true scholarship. Its mutual discipline and broad learning made it the best possible foundation for success in specialized educa- tion, and prepared the student for public and semi-public life. It is still the educational basis of the university.

Military work was made a part of the university curriculum in 1891 by the state authorities. All able-bodied students between the ages of fifteen and twen- ty-four years were required to take part in the military exercises.

The state board of charities and corrections, late in 1894, showed that the institutions under their care were generally in good condition. Under this board were the penitentiary, school for deaf mutes, reform school, and hospital for the insane. In August, 1891, there were in the insane hospital at Yankton, 163 male and 120 female inmates; twenty-five were from Lawrence County. Their con- dition was ascribed to troubles over politics, mining and property rights in the Black Hills. There were present nineteen inmates from Minnehaha County ; to divorce complications were ascribed the condition of several of these inmates. The average number of inmates from July, 1892, to July, 1894, was 318. During the latter year it ran up as high as 338. This was a larger number than it had been estimated. Accordingly, the appropriations were scarcely sufficient to meet the expenditures. The board recommended increased appropriations and addi- tional buildings and repairs. They recommended that the institution should not be divided until it became too unwieldy. This recommendation was made in view of the fact that a number of persons throughout the state thought an addi- tional hospital should be built. At this time L. C. Mead, M. D., was superin- tendent of the asylum.

The report of 1892 showed that the penitentiary had been well conducted by I. S. Spooner, deceased, and N. E. Phillips, wardens. Already the work of reforming the inmates in order to make them fit for life's duties was in progress. The management opposed the system of punishment and vengeance and put in force that of forgiveness, kindness and instruction; but the institution was still greatly restricted because the laws did not permit the amplification of humani- tarian methods. The board asked the Legislature for permission to use the in- mates in the quarries and in other industrial institutions of the state. The Legis- lature of 1890 enacted a parole law, but the Legislature of 1893 repealed it. This was regarded by the board and by many citizens throughout the state as a step backward. Accordingly, in 1895, they asked for its re-enactment. They gave many excellent reasons why this course should be taken.

The state reform school under the care of C. W. Ainsworth, superintendent, and his wife as matron, was in prosperous condition in 1894. Already this insti- tution was regarded as one of great importance. An examination by the board showed that no serious fault could be found with the management. The motto of this institution was "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure," also "Just as the twig is bent the tree's inclined." The previous Legislature had appropriated $8,000 for a shop building. This was already up and in use. At

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first the farm here consisted of eighty acres, but just previous to statehood 160 acres additional were secured, which tract was paid for by the different legis- lative appropriations. Although the farm now consisted of 320 acres it was not sufficient with modern machinery for the use of the school. The inmates of this institution were able bodied, healthy and capable of performing great physical tasks. They were mostly city boys and had to be taught how to work on the farm. Already plans to rent additional lands or to purchase more were con- sidered. In the school on June 30, 1894, were eighty-seven children, sixty-five boys and twenty-two girls. Of these children eighty came from twenty-six coun- ties in South Dakota, and seven from North Dakota. Regular reports were received by the superintendent from children sent out on their own account. As a whole the reports were good.

The school for deaf mutes was in charge of Prof. James Simpson, in 1894. There were at this time forty-five pupils in attendance. They had necessary instructors and were doing well. This institution was established in the fall of 1880, under the title of the Dakota School for Deaf Mutes. Mrs. D. F. Mingus, formerly Miss Jennie Wright, took the first steps toward the establishment of the school. She came to Sioux Falls from Burlington, Iowa. Important build- ings were erected in 1881, and from this time forward, the school began to pros- per. By 1894 the institution was divided into many departments, the study sys- tem was excellent and the instructors competent and active.

In January, 1895, the City of Gary agreed to maintain the blind school free for a few years, in case its offer was accepted. As the state at this time felt too poor to accept the offer, action was postponed, but in the end the proposi- tion was accepted.

The orphan's home at Sioux Falls, under Superintendent Sherrard, was reported in prosperous condition in January, 1895. In 1895 the inmates of the reform school at Plankinton put in crops 1,200 acres, of which 400 acres were in wheat, 250, oats; 200, barley ; 250, corn ; 100 millet; 35, potatoes; 15, beans ; and 10, garden truck. On the farm were thirty-five horses, about the same num- ber of cows and the state owned here 640 acres, the remainder was rented. There were seventy inmates at this time.

Early in 1897, Governor Lee appointed as regents of education, Messrs. Blair, Hough, Haire, Herreid and Spafford, under the recent act of the Legis- lature. But the old board refused to be removed, and at once there arose a contest, which was taken to the courts, as to which board was legally entitled to serve and as to the right of the governor to remove such officials. The old board maintained that Governor Lee had no power to remove the board of regents, while the governor insisted that he possessed such power, therefore had acted accordingly. The old board served notice on all heads of educational institu- tions to pay no attention to any authority except themselves. The whole question passed on up to the Supreme Court. Treasurer David Williams, of the old board of regents, should have had at this time $14,000 on hand, but really possessed only $4,000 to turn over to the new board of regents. He stated that he had been directed to spend the other $10,000 by the old board of regents. He was defended by Hugh J. Campbell.

At the end of the fiscal year 1897-8, the hospital for the insane at Yankton, was generally in excellent condition. The institution was crowded and consid-

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erably cramped for operations, but as a whole, all were receiving proper atten- tion. For several years its facilities had been overtaxed. The Legislature had failed for several sessions to provide money enough to enlarge the capacity for the wants of the rapidly increasing number of inmates. In order to meet the growing demand for room, many shifts and changes were made to utilize tem- porarily portions of other buildings. The condition finally became serious, because proper attention could not be given the patients. Little help could be furnished where the buildings and rooms were over-crowded. Due to this con- dition at the state institution was the fact that insane people were often permitted to remain in county jails throughout the state, for considerable length of time, or to be guarded in their home while a menace to the peace and security of others, because they could not be accommodated with suitable rooms, space and attention at the asylum. The board believed that the Legislature looked upon the overcrowding as only a temporary inconvenience, but when session after ses- sion passed and no adequate relief was secured, they began to offer serious and emphatic remonstrances. At all times the superintendent was prepared with plans for additions to buildings or for new structures to meet the demand. Up to this time no tax had been levied upon the people of the state for the main- tenance of the insane asylum. The funds needed were provided by special assess- ment upon the counties in proportion to the number of insane persons from each county. A county without insane patients was required to pay no insane tax. The amount collectible from all counties represented among the insane at the hospital on November 1, 1898, was $88,300, there being 460 patients present. The amount appropriated by the Legislature for the fiscal year was $72,200. This left a deficiency in face of the fact that the number of patients was rapidly increas- ing and that additional tax should be levied upon the counties for their support. At this time the superintendent asked for a rear central building, and his recom- mendation was seconded by the state board. The institution at this time needed also additional funds to meet current expenses. It was estimated that for the year ending June 30, 1900, there would be collected throughout the state a total insane tax of $96,000, and for the following fiscal year the sum of $100,000. The board recommended that these sums be apportioned in accordance with the recommendation of the hospital superintendent. During the fiscal year ending June, 1898, one maniac killed another in the hospital. The superintendent and attendants were released from any culpability.

As a matter of fact, up to this time, no state institution was complete in buildings and equipment, all were in need of more or less important improve- ments and additions to keep up with the growing demands. The inmates of the insane hospital were nearly double those of all the other penal and charitable institutions combined. As there was no definite limit to the confinement of an insane patient, no estimate could be made when an inmate would be discharged nor could it be foretold certainly what the expense of the institution would be. Inasmuch as the institution was certain to grow rapidly the state board asked the Legislature to provide in advance for the accommodations that were sure to be demanded. They asked at this time that the capacity be increased at once or soon to accommodate 1,000 persons, because it was certain that figure would be reached within a few years. A new steam-plant and boiler-house was needed. The management at the hospital received the approval of the state board in June, 1898.

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In 1898 the penitentiary farm and garden were an important feature of that institution. It afforded an excellent opportunity to test and expand the parol system and to keep unruly and restless inmates husy. Great advance in moral improvement and in systems calculated to reform the inmates had recently been made. Many within the penitentiary, it was realized, were not criminals by nature or habit, but had been guilty in a single instance through sudden passion or some resistless emergency. These people needed only to be surrounded with the right influence to become again good citizens when they were turned from the prison doors. The warden asked that the number of guards and other employes be increased in order properly to guard and maintain restriction and order within the walls. The state board declared that nothing more surely tended to the demoralization of personal discipline than a feeling of certainty among prisoners that they were not securely confined and guarded. Inasmuch as the penitentiary was located in the center of an immense rock or building stone deposit, he asked that the prisoners be given an opportunity for employment therein. Many temporary structures built at considerable expense had already been erected but many others were needed. Within three or four years a large proportion of the output had been used in constructing the magnificent and serviceable walls surrounding the penitentiary. It was said to be at the time the finest and most substantial of any penitentiary walls in the United States. Steady work was maintained. All were employed at healthful labor, had an abundance of substantial food, were assigned to well selected duties, and attended regular . Sunday chapel services.

In June, 1898, the State Reform School was in charge of C. W. Ainsworth, superintendent, and Mrs. C. W. Ainsworth, matron. A full report concerning the care and reformation of the young people who had been sent here for improve- ment was made by the superintendent. On the night of October 5, 1897, the girl's dormitory which had been erected in 1893 at a cost of about fifteen thousand dollars, was burned to the ground. One teacher and six pupils perished in the flames. The origin of the fire was not ascertained. Owing to the inflammable character of the buildings, a similar calamity was liable to happen again at any time. The superintendent and the state board asked that future buildings of any and every kind be made fire proof. The destruction of the dormitory just at the approach of winter, made it necessary to provide a temporary abiding place for the unfortunate girls who were thus deprived of shelter. The Board of Charities and Corrections were prohibited by law from contracting any debt for which an appropriation had not been made, and from making any engagement that should involve the'state in debt. This fact compelled the board to provide temporary quarters for the houseless and homeless girls. The public spirited citizens of Plankinton promptly offered to build a temporary structure that would furnish suitable accommodations during the approaching winter and depend for their remuneration upon the next Legislature. The edifice was hurriedly erected at a cost of about three thousand five hundred dollars. This structure was merely temporary and was inflammable. Soon afterward the board enter- tained from the citizens a proposition to erect a substantial fire-proof structure to take its place. The citizens agreed to furnish the funds and await for the Legisla- ture to remunerate them. This building was erected and the board accordingly asked the Legislature to settle with the citizens for the cost. A steam plant was at

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this time added to the school. The boys' dormitory was prepared for steam heat- ing and electric lighting, and thus the use of about thirty kerosene stoves was dispensed with. This expense was borne by a business man of Traer, Iowa, who depended upon the Legislature to reimburse him for the outlay. The state board sanctioned these various improvements. The stone used in constructing the girl's dormitory and the boiler-house was furnished by the penitentiary at Sioux Falls. An additional expense was incurred in furnishing the girl's dormitory. Legisla- tures for four years had failed to appropriate sufficient money to defray the current expenses of the school. This left a deficiency in 1898 of about ten thousand dollars. The Legislature was asked to make this amount good. The board commended the entire system, management and discipline of the school, and urged that more liberal appropriations should be made.

In 1898 the School for Dcaf Mutes was well managed and parents and guard- ians who had entrusted their children thereto and had kept posted were well pleased with the elevating influences and christian care given the unfortunates. This institution reflected the highest credit upon the benevolent system of the state. Its object was to care for and educate the class of unfortunates, who, when properly instructed and educated, were about as well equipped for self support as the average educated man or woman. A new heating plant was recommended by the state board. They also asked for a separate building for hospital purposes, because contagious diseases had already threatened the students and might reappear with deadly effect at any moment unless proper preventive measures were employed. Although the institution had been visited by contagion, the disease was prevented from obtaining a foothold, because temporary hospital accommodations were provided in a building remote from the school and wholly equipped for hospital purposes. It was believed that a suitable structure could be constructed at a cost not to exceed $3,500.

In 1898 the State Board of Regents noted particularly the great increase in attendance at all the educational institutions. The records showed that all con- tained about 20 per cent greater attendance than they did the year before. Never before had there existed such perfect harmony and good feeling among all of the educational institutions as was manifest this year. The board noted par- ticularly that the masses of people throughout the state took greater interest in the advancement and prosperity of these institutions than ever before. This meant in the end larger attendance, and far greater extensions in usefulness. As the funds for the support of the state schools came directly from the people and directly from the state school funds which belonged to the people, the success and prosperity of the institutions depended upon the feeling entertained toward the schools by the citizens. Thus far the educational institutions, as a whole, had been only fairly well equipped and supported. When it was absolutely certain that an institution would suffer seriously without a certain specific appro- priation, the Legislature sometimes came to the relief unless there was some plausible reason against such action. The people generally throughout the state at this time desired that the state educational institutions should be made equal in usefulness to similar institutions in other states. It began to be realized that as the schools were compelled to depend for their support upon the biennial appropriations from the Legislature, there could be no definite and effective plan adopted for their enlargement or management. In other states a definite tax levy

SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND, GARY

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was provided. It was now believed that in South Dakota a tax levy of one mill would be sufficient, if made regularly, to place the educational institutions of the state on a permanent basis of prosperity and advancement. The state board noted that other states had fixed annual levies for the support of their educational insti- tutions. Because of this fact the regents perceived that, while in 1888 the total enrollment of students in the State University, the Agricultural College and the two normal schools was nearly equal to that of similar institutions in either Minne- sota, Iowa, or Nebraska, the enrollment today in South Dakota institutions was no greater than it was in 1888, while in the institutions of the other states named the enrollment had quadrupled. Previous to 1888 the Territorial Legislature was comparatively liberal in providing for these educational institutions and had given them an adequate support. From 1888 to 1898 little or no increase in these facilities had even been attempted. In several of the states above named, $1,000,000 or more had been spent on new buildings, libraries and other equip- ments, besides giving them a fixed and liberal annual support. This condition in the neighboring states and the reverse condition in South Dakota had induced hundreds of young people to seek in the other states the higher education not offered here. This was an evil of great magnitude, one that could not well be measured. Experience had already shown that students who left South Dakota to secure an education did not usually return again to become permanent citizens. It was presumed that the public spirit and enterprise of the citizens in the other states had inspired the South Dakota students with the fires of intellecual advance- ment to such a degree that they were unwilling to return to a state where the citizens themselves showed no concern for advanced education and were unwill- ing to support institutions so essential to the development and greatness of any commonwealth. It was a fact that the state lost in this way many of its most desirable young men and women.

The regents of education made a comparative investigation of the educational institutions of the neighboring states and of South Dakota. This investigation revealed several important features to which they specifically called the attention of the citizens. First, they compared the cost of maintenance of the same institu- tions in the different states. The number of faculty employed in South Dakota University was 16; the same institution in North Dakota, 19; Wyoming, 14; Colorado, 70; Minnesota, 168; Nebraska, 85. The average salaries paid pro- fessors were as follows: South Dakota, $1,400; North Dakota, $2,000; Wyom- ing, $1,600; Colorado, $2,000; Minnesota, $2,400; Nebraska, $2,000. Other items of expense were compared and the same differences were shown to exist. In regard to material, equipment and other expenses, the contrast was equally marked. Particular attention was called to the salaries paid, because in South Dakota there was considerable complaint that salaries paid the faculty were too high. It was known that the supply of men and women thoroughly equipped for professional work was limited, that the demand was rapidly increasing, and that if South Dakota paid much the smallest average salary it would secure none but the weakest and least efficient faculty members. As the state was not yet burdened with the support of too many educational institutions, and as the cost of their maintenance was much less comparatively than in adjacent states, the regents urged all in their power that the state institutions should be granted much larger and better buildings and far better equipment; that the faculties should

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be paid higher wages; that normal training should be recognized for what it was really worth, and that a general uplift of the educational institutions should at once be made if South Dakota desired to increase its population by new settlers and additional capital. Particularly was efficient normal school instruction demanded.

The people of the state had recently amended their constitution by giving the management of the State University, the Agricultural College, the three normal schools and the School of Mines to a single educational board of five members, which was cvidence that they had determined there should be no further rivalry or conflict in the management or purposes of those institutions. The single board now devoted its sole attention to administering the institutions for the benefit of the whole state without reference to local or sectional interests. The regents in 1898 called attention to the fact that the State University had been without a president for a year, mainly because there were no funds available for his salary. They asked that such officer should be selected as soon as possible, because the State University was generally recognized as the head of the educational system. They said that Dr. Edward Olson on one occasion had remarked, "It requires only three B's to make a great university, Bricks, Books and Brains, but un- fortunately it takes money to get either." It had cost other states large sums to build up their institutions of higher learning, and now the time had arrived when South Dakota should not hesitate but should meet the requirements and advance abreast with the other states.

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History of Dakota Territory, volume III, Part 84

Author: Kingsbury, George Washington, 1837-; Smith, George Martin, 1847-1920 Publication date: 1915 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : S.J. Clarke Publishing Company Number of Pages: 1146

Author: Kingsbury, George Washington, 1837-; Smith, George Martin, 1847-1920
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : S.J. Clarke Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1146