STATE APPROPRIATIONS FOR CURRENT EXPENSES. The state donated $5,000 under the act of 1858. The first annual appropriation in 1860 was $1,500. The appropriation for current expenses was made permanent at $12,000 per annum in 1877. In 1885 it was increased to $18,000, with the provision that an institute conductor should be employed who, when not engaged in holding institutes under the direction of the superintendent of public instruction, should serve as instructor in the school. This sum was supplemented in 1889 by a deficiency appropriation of $1,000; and the annual appropriation was increased to the amount of $2,000; and in 1891 an additional appropriation of $2,000, in 1893, $2,000, and in 1895, $2,000, so that the present annual appropriations for current expenses amount to $26,000. THE NORMAL SCHOOL AT MANKATO. In 1866 the city of Mankato offered the state the donation specified in the act of 1858, and the legislature appropriated the sum of $5,000, as provided in that act. The school was opened in the basement of the M. E. Church, Sept. 1, 1868, with Geo. M. Gage as principal. In October it was moved to the second story of a store, corner of Front and Main streets, but the state building was so nearly completed that the school began to accupy it in April, 1870-about one month before the first class was graduated. Mr. Gage resigned in June, 1872, and was succeeded by Miss J. A. Sears, who served as principal one year. D. C. John became principal in July, 1873, and faithfully and successfully served until the spring of 1880, when he resigned to become president of the Hamline University. In May of the same year, Prof. Edward Searing became his successor, and has continued as its principal with flattering success in the improvement of the school in numbers, and in the excellence of its instructors. During the sixteen years of the present management the enrollment in the normal department has increased from 120 to 399, the last year, and in the practice school from 58 to 342. The total enrollment the past year was 733. In the school there are six training courses: An Advanced Latin Course of five years. An Advanced English Course of five years. An Elementary Course of three years. An Advanced Course for high school graduates of one year. The large model department of about 350 pupils is maintained exclusively as a school of observation and practice for students in the normal department who are near the end of their respective courses. COST OF THE NORMAL BUILDING AT MANKATO, INCLUDING HEATING Appropriated by the state, 1881, for repairs after storm...... Appropriated by the state, 1881, for grounds. 10,000 3.000 Appropriated by the state, 1883, for ventilation, heating and drainage. 7.000 ......... 5,000 Appropriated by the state, 1887, for furnace and repairs... .... 1,500 7,000 Under the act of 1858 the state donated $5,000. The special annual appropriations for current expenses for the first eleven years were from $5.000, the smallest, to $10,000, the largest. The annual average was $7,363. In 1877 the appropriation for current expenses was made permanent at $9,000 per annum. In 1885 it was increased to $15,000, with the provision that an institute instructor should be employed by the school who should work in institutes during part of the year under the direction of the superintendent of public instruction. In 1887 an addition of $1,000 was made; in 1889, $2,000; in 1891, $4,000; in 1893, $2,000; and in 1895, $2,000 more was added for each of the two following years, making the annual appropriation for current expenses at the present time $26,000. THE NORMAL SCHOOL AT ST. CLOUD. After the legislature in 1866, offered the third normal school to St. Cloud, the citizens started a subscription, which in 1869 amounted to $5,000 in cash. The Stearns House, built for a hotel, was purchased, with six acres of land, for $3,000. The site is on the west bank of the Mississippi, seventy-five feet above the river; it is level and adorned with primitive oaks. The grounds were enlarged by the donation of one lot and the purchase of several, paid for by the citizens, adding to the value of the property about $350. The building was repaired and furnished at a cost of $3,281, and the school was opened in September, 1869, with Ira Moore as principal.. The enrollment the first year was 125, and the appropriation for current expenses was $3,000. Mr. Moore resigned in 1875 and D. L. Kiehle was appointed to the principalship. In August, 1881, upon his appointment as superintendent of public instruction, Mr. Kiehle resigned and the vacancy was filled by the appointment of Jerome Allen, who was succeeded upon his resignation in 1884, by Thomas J. Gray, who closed his |