History of Dakota Territory, volume III, Part 85

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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During the previous year the School of Mines had suffered an unfortunate experience due to the resignation of all the faculty except one. The resignations were not the result of any conflict in the institution or disagreement over the management, but simply were due to the fact that they were offered much larger salaries by other institutions. This called up the question at once whether it paid the state to support the School of Mines. The regents promptly took the position that it did, because the mineral regions occupied such a prominent field in the resources of the state that it could not be neglected; that the enormous wealth added each year to the state from the mines was alone sufficient to warrant the maintenance of such an institution. The state had already provided all the requisites for teaching, therefore the school should continue. They said that too much weight should not be given to the criticism of the School of Mines in the neighborhood where it was located. Its existence affected the whole state and the latter alone should determine whether the school should be continued. They said. "What the state needs is honest investigation in regard to her resources. Fictitious advertising always ends in discredit to the state and injury to the people. All that was necessary was to pay large enough salaries to secure men competent to conduct the institution."

The people of the state generally did not understand at the commencement the objects for which the agricultural college was established in this state with a liberal endowment. It required many years before even the faculty itself of that institution had fully encompassed the object and before the college was started on the right path toward its industrial destination. Many people thought the same as did the faculty at first that the institution was designed for any sort of an education and it required many years before this view could be overthrown. An examination of the act creating the Agricultural College showed its object

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clearly and showed how the Morrill and Hatch funds were to be expended. As time passed and as the necessity for a distinctive institution for the farming and engineering community became manifest, the college was at last turned in the direction intended by Congress. The funds of the Government were to be applied for a specific purpose only. Accordingly, it became necessary for the State Legislature to supplement the needs of the college, particularly in regard to the construction of buildings, the payment of salaries and the running expenses. In 1897-98 the Legislature provided $2,000 per annum for the advancement of the department entitled "Student Labor and Employes." This sum was used mainly in furnishing employment to a considerable number of students who were paid a small amount and were thus enabled to continue their studies. It began to be realized in 1898 how important to South Dakota was proper advancement in the science of agriculture. Accordingly the Regents of Education urged the Legis- lature to make every effort necessary to place the college among the leaders of its kind in the United States. The experiment stations, the Department of Agri- culture and the agricultural colleges were doing a grand work at this time, and already in every community could be seen the excellent results of improved methods in progressive farming. At this time no one except the Legislature was slow in the state. As usual it held back support for the Agricultural College and other educational institutions until public demand forced it to supply the funds wanted.

For four years ending with 1898, the Legislature appropriated annually $1,000 for the support of farmers' institutes, irrigation, etc. This sum was so ridiculously small that it was impossible to accomplish much, and accordingly the institutes were conducted largely at the expense of the farmers themselves, the faculty of the Agricultural College and other progressive and up-to-date scientific agricul- turalists. The farmers' institutes were rightly regarded as the adult farmers' schools. Here could be learned by all the farmers the principles underyling the art of agriculture, and here could be learned from successful farmers the best methods of applying these principles. Thus the scientists and the more success- ful farmers were brought in contact where in actual practice the needs of the farmer could be ascertained and the falseness of theories and deductions made by experiments could be disclosed. The views of both farmer and experimenter were thus cemented and broadened with excellent results. This was true in South Dakota as in every other state of the Union. Owing to lack of funds from the state the farmers' institutes were conducted under various auspices and were supported in different ways, but there was considerable enthusiasm and great interest and a vast amount of good accomplished. The regents asked that $5,000 be appropriated for maintaining farmers' institutes in 1899, and stated that this amount was barely large enough to enable the institutes to do effective work. As the national authorities did not permit any expenditures of the Hatch Fund for the erection of any permanent sub-station, the regents recommended that the state should appropriate whatever was necessary to carry into effect the work of the experiment stations. They asked also for $5,000 to be expended at the college in erecting farm buildings, animal sheds, fences and the purchase of pure- blood stock. The regents further recommended appropriations of $7,500 for a creaniery and its necessary machinery ; $5,000 for a girl's cottage ; $5,000 for the enlargement of the greenhouse and repairs thereto ; $20,000 for an administration

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building ; and $3,500 for a gymnasium and drill hall. Thus in 1898 the Agri- cultural College asked for $45,000. In 1896-7 the total attendance was 320, of whom 231 were males. In 1897-9 the total attendance was 405 and the number of males 267.

In 1898 the Board of Regents inquired particularly into the management and condition of the State University. They noted that the funds required to erect the present buildings were furnished by Clay County, the City of Vermillion and by individual donations, but the amount, about $50,000, was not sufficient to complete the new building and its unfinished condition was a great detriment to the school in many ways. The chemical and physical laboratories had not been furnished with any new apparatus since the main building was burned, and, as many valuable and necessary articles had then been destroyed, they should be replaced without any further delay. An insufficiency of class rooms was another serious detriment.

The bill to locate an additional normal school at Aberdeen was reported on favorably in each House of the Legislature early in February, 1899. All mem- bers at this time seemed in favor of adequate appropriations for all of the state institutions.

"The agitation arising over the election of a new president for the State Uni- versity which for the space of about twenty days threatened to convulse this commonwealth from center to circumference, owing to the fury of the Argus- Leader in a vehement but abortive attempt to frustrate the action of the Board of Regents and freeze out its choice, has subsided and a condition of calmness once more prevails. The election of Professor Droppers was not the result of a star-chamber procedure nor was it a snap-caucus affair. For fifteen months correspondence has been going on between the board and numerous parties in relation to the vacancy. Presidents of other colleges have been consulted and several prospective candidates have visited Vermillion to look over the situation and meet members of the board. Indeed there have been no less than twenty-one applicants."-Dakota Republican, January 26, 1899.

Early in 1899 the Insane Hospital at Yankton was destroyed by fire and seventeen inmates were burned to death. The night was exceedingly cold, which increased the suffering and prevented any effective effort to fight the flames. Amid the confusion several other inmates were severely burned or otherwise injured. The structure was the laundry building which was being used tem- porarily as a dormitory until other quarters could be furnished. This building was erected in 1894 and the total loss was about $25,000. The inmates burned were seventeen females who had been crowded into the building. The news- papers of the state openly charged the Legislature with the responsibility for this loss. They had not provided suitable buildings and were therefore the responsible parties, so it was said. According to the best evidences the fire was caused by the lint on the steam pipes catching fire. Up to this time the state had lost in twelve years by fire, $168,000 worth of buildings; and during the last year, up to February 17, 1899, had lost about seventy-five thousand dollars worth of property and twenty-four lives. There was no night watchman in the building, because the institution could not secure such a person, as no money was provided for his wages. No doubt, the parsimony of the Legislature was due in large measure to politics, which continually boasted of its superior economy. Such campaign

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buncomb enabled them to keep solid with the farmers and to be able to solicit their support and vote. The coroner's jury found no one criminally responsible for this loss, which was the severest in the history of the state. At this date not a single state institution except the capitol building at Pierre carried a dollar's worth of insurance. At the time of the fire the temperature was 22º Fahr. below zero. Immediately thereafter the Legislature passed a bill appropriating $70,000 for the construction of a new building at the insane asylum to take the place of the one destroyed. The newspapers declared that the Legislature was locking the barn door after the horse had been stolen. It was shown by the investigation that the asylum had really cared for seventy-five more patients than it could accommodate with comfort. On March 1, 1899, there were in the asylum about four hundred and seventy-five.

Late in November, 1899, the main building of the Insane Asylum at Yankton came near burning down. At this time there existed an annoying conflict between the authorities concerning the management of the institution. There was a serious struggle for place and power. Doctor Mead was superintendent before the popu- jists came in power. He was superseded by Doctor Ross, who was appointed by the populists. Doctor Mead resisted because he was charged with a serious offense. It required a year or more before this contest was finally adjusted. In December, 1899, the troubles there seemed to be increasing rather than diminish- ing and seemed to be due to factional strife as well as to a general dislike of the management.

The agreement between South Dakota and North Dakota concerning the dis- posal of the public institutions was to the effect that each state was to take the institutions already established within its borders, and pay all debts, etc., of the same. Inasmuch as the majority of such institutions were in South Dakota, the latter, it was agreed, should pay to the former $42,500, to balance the excess of the territorial appropriations for improvements of these institutions. The two states bid to see which should receive the territorial library. South Dakota bid $4,000 and secured it.

In the summer of 1899 the state institutions were in excellent condition con- sidering the lack of funds. The Legislature of 1899 provided for a state library building. Up to this time it had none. The fire-proof vaults were small and were located in the various state offices. The records were even kept in sheds and cellars. Thus the public records were insecure and liable to be destroyed at any time by fire caused by lightning or defective flues. At this session of the Legislature there was a general demand that provision should be made to gather the state's statistics and keep the same regularly on file after their publication.

In regard to the Reform School in 1900-01, Governor Lee in his message said, "The management of the Reform School under C. W. Ainsworth lacks in business sense or common honesty, or both. His methods of discipline were better adapted to the sixteenth century than to modern times. The young peo- ple have had no reason to complain of their treatment by Superintendent Tomp- kins, whose management of the institution has been exemplary. His discipline is perfect but kind. The children enjoy nineteenth century privileges and are treated as if they were human beings without price and with an even chance in the world for honorable fame. Mr. Tompkins returned $1,262.59 to the state treasury from his maintenance fund, and during his first year he saved $3,150 from his maintenance and cash funds."

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Governor Lee said in his message of 1901 that the management of the peni- tentiary, while satisfactory as a whole, was corrupt from the standpoint of civic virtue; that the minor funds had been misapplied; that the public examiner had made several incriminating disclosures, and that this was true of nearly all the other state institutions. He said the School of Deaf Mutes was well and hon- estly managed and conducted, with an attendance of fifty-two, and that under Superintendent Simpson not a single irregularity was discovered. He asked for an appropriation for a new building for this institution.

"The penal and charitable institutions of the state are in better condition than they have ever been. The institutions were received by the present board of charities from the former officials during the spring and summer of 1899. At the hospital for the insane everything possible was done to delay the transfer and subsequently, through intriguing employes, to embarrass the new superintendent and his chiefs. In this institution it had not been the policy to keep an accurate set of books, the public examiner being compelled to rely in making his investiga- tions upon vouchers on file. It was found that excessive prices had been paid for almost everything bought, but there was nowhere any evidence of discounts having been credited to the state. It is by official collusion with favored bidders that the state pays high prices on its purchases, and public officers are afforded an opportunity to share in profits made by those who supply the merchandise required by the institution. During the past two years the hospital has under- gone many necessary improvements. The large central building for which the last Legislature made an appropriation of $35,000 is well under way. While the Legislature appropriated only $35,000 for this building, the plans drawn by the architect and accepted by the board are for a building to cost $65,000, and this estimate was evidently without including plumbing and fittings. One peculiar feature of the contracts for the construction of these buildings is that they were all let to be built during one season. It seems that the old governing board was anxious to let all the contracts and expend as much of the money as possible before their successors in office should enter upon their duties. Why they should do so can better be surmised than explained. The present population of the institution is 515, an increase of thirty during the last two years. Applications which tax its capacity to the utmost limit are constantly being made. In this connection it seems to me that money levied for insane purposes upon the various counties having inmates should be appropriated for the insane and that the Legislature does a wrong in withholding it or eniploying the funds for any other purpose. If the present per capita charges are too high the counties should be given the benefit of a reduction."

The report of the board of regents concerning the state university in 1901 was one of much importance. H. H. Blair, president of the board, prepared the report. He found generally that the recent enlargements authorized by the Legislature had greatly improved the facilities of the university. However, he pointed to the fact that the buildings then existing were not sufficiently large to accommodate the students in attendance nor meet the material wants of the uni- versity. The institution, owing to its recent growth, required greatly enlarged facilities. Nearly all of the buildings were too small; the class rooms were over- crowded; the instructors were overworked; and more students from all parts of the state were demanding admittance. These conditions, he noted, caused many

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students to leave the state to secure the education which South Dakota did not seem able or inclined to furnish. He dwelt at considerable length on the serious- ness of the situation and urged that the institution should at once be so enlarged that instead of being compelled to turn away students, it could receive young men and women from other states. He pointed out that one of the disadvantages of allowing the state university to remain in a backward and undeveloped con- dition caused many people who were looking for permanent homes in the state and who would make the most desirable citizens, to hesitate upon moving here owing to the lack of suitable educational facilities. He said that the state uni- versity was regarded in every state as the head of the educational system, and that if such institution was weak, inefficient and dilapidated, the result would be disastrous and humiliating. He said it was a fact which could not be denied that the university had not grown and prospered as similar institutions had developed in neighboring states, but declared the reason for this fact was mani- fest. He stated that within the past twelve years the states of Minnesota, Iowa and Nebraska had expended more than one million dollars in new buildings and other permanent improvements for their universities, while in South Dakota the sum of $7,500 appropriated by the Legislature of 1899 was all that had been provided to expand or improve the facilities of the University since 1888. At this time there were present about four hundred earnest students all eager and ambitious to advance.

In 1901 the Legislature established a department of history and made it the duty of the historian to collect, preserve, exhibit, and publish the materials for the study of South Dakota history as well as the history and development of the adjacent states. The state administration was at first given charge of the his- torical department, but it was finally conferred upon the State Historical Society. The department was duly organized January 23, 1901. It was provided that any organized historical society of the state could become an auxilliary member. Immediately after this time Doane Robinson, the historian, began making annual reports of the progress, development, and history of South Dakota. These re- ports have been one of the most important and interesting publications of the state since that date. Subsequent history will be based largely upon the statistics thus collected.

During the contest between the two rival boards of charities and corrections appointed by Governors Lee and Herreid, the state auditor refused to allow the per diem and expenses of the members of the board that had been appointed by ex-Governor Lee. He refused to pay their expenses until the Supreme Court should decide which was the legal board.

In 1901 the Legislature appropriated $10,000 for a building to be used prin- cipally for a dormitory at the blind school in Gary. Bids were called for and as all exceeded the appropriation they were rejected. After a few changes the contract was awarded to Hess & Rau of Watertown. The new building was completed and accepted by the board in April, 1902, and afforded at once great relief to the already overcrowded school. The old frame building which had been donated to the state by the citizens was permitted to stand between the two brick buildings in order that its rooms might be utilized for school purposes. Soon after this date the central brick building was planned. The state at first owned only four acres where the buildings stood. The board notified the citizens Vol. III-89

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of Gary that they would not begin the construction of the new building unless they would donate ten acres adjoining the state land on the north. Promptly the City of Gary purchased this tract and deeded it to the state. At the same time the board asked the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company for a strip of six acres adjoining the state's land, and were at once given a deed for the tract by the company. All realized at this time the importance of the work being done by the school. Its situation was somewhat inaccessible, but otherwise the institution was well located and at this time it was well conducted. Miss Donald was superintendent of the school in 1901. - Upon her recommendation the board advised the Legislature to change the name of the school from South Dakota Blind Asylum to South Dakota School for the Blind. This change was made.

An important topic before the Legislature in 1901 was the bad report con- cerning the special funds which accumulated at the various state institutions. It appeared that few officials had thus far escaped charges of malfeasance in handling these funds. The farm fund at the reform school, the hide fund at the penitentiary, and the amusement fund at the insane asylum were pointed out as illustrations of this irregularity. It was shown that they were drawn upon con- tinually by the institution officers for incidental expenses not provided for in the general appropriation bill. In January, 1901, the Legislature passed a bill pro- viding that all of these funds should be paid regularly into the state treasury. It was believed that such a law would save much annoyance, prevent irregularities and establish a system of business most desirable.

The Legislature of 1901 appropriated $3,500 for the erection of a hospital at the school for deaf mutes. The contract was awarded to F. C. Marson of Sioux Falls, at $3,375. The institution at this time was in prosperous condition. Some controversy was had over the kind of a building that should be constructed, but the amount appropriated was so small that it was concluded finally that it did not make much difference. The board at this time considered the school a model institution, in which the people could take pride.

The Legislature of 1901 appropriated $28,000 for the newly established Northern Normal and Industrial School at Aberdeen, to be used in the construc- tion of a building which was planned to be ready for use in September, 1902. When near completion the structure was destroyed by fire, the severe loss falling upon the contractors, Franzen & Bros. The regents thereupon made new and satisfactory arrangements with them and they immediately reconstructed the building. In January, 1902, the regents selected a faculty for this institution and prepared to open school the first week in September, 1903. By January, 1905, the school had 130 students and was in flourishing condition.

After ten years of effort to secure a suitable Science Hall at the university, the faculty were finally successful in 1901, when the Legislature appropriated $40,000 for that purpose. Strange as it may seem, several members who fought this appropriation asserted that the institution was a local one and that such a waste of money was uncalled for and out of place. However, much of the opposition came from the friends of the denominational schools throughout the state. They realized that should the university be made much stronger the result would be to decrease their roll of students and curtail their usefulness. Others in the Legislature opposed the appropriation because they, themselves, were unable to see any great advantage in education. The new law authorized the establishment of a law school and the construction of a Science Hall.

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In his message to the Legislature in 1901, Governor Herreid reviewed the condition of state schools of all kinds, taking up each one in succession and noting their wants, management and success. He demanded that the young women and young men of the state should be provided at home with every facility for securing higher education along any line desired. If such provision were not made the young people would continue to leave the state, perhaps per- manently, as they had been leaving in the past. In this connection he said : "The practice by the board of regents of holding long distance meetings, by passing motions through the mails to one another cannot be too severely con- demned. It is a fraud upon the public service. Officials who find their work unremunerative or incompatible may always find refuge in private life. Another practice which deserves the severest condemnation is that of assigning to each member of the board one school over which he has absolute control. The recom- mendations made by each member in regard to the school of which he has charge are almost invariably accepted as final; whether they are for the best interests of the institution is not given serious consideration. This practice should be prohibited and no business be transacted without a majority of the board being present. The favoritism practiced by one member of the board who uses his position to give employment to his relatives, likewise deserves a reprimand. It is not a question whether the relatives are competent. Nepotism has always brought abuse, and is justly unpopular in any branch of government."

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History of Dakota Territory, volume III, Part 85

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