EDUCATIONAL FUNDS.

THE PRIMARY SCHOOL FUNDS.

The moneys derived from the sale of school lands, and from escheats to the State, constitute the Primary School Fund proper, and bear seven per cent. interest. One-half the cash avails of the sale of swamp lands are also set apart as a school fund, bearing five per cent. interest, and this is called the Primary School five per cent. fund. The income derived from each of these funds, together with the surplus of specific taxes remaining in the State treasury, after paying the interest on the several educational funds, and the interest and principal of the State debt, forms the Primary School Interest Fund; the entire amount of which, that may be on hand at the time, is apportioned to the school districts of the State semi-annually between the first and tenth days of May and November in each year.

The condition of these funds for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1886, is shown in the following statement:

THE UNIVERSITY Fund.

This fund is derived from the sale of lands granted to the State by the General Government for the support of a university, and draws interest at seven per cent. The amount to the credit of this fund, September 30, 1886, together with the income derived from the same, is as follows:

This fund, derived from the sale of lands granted by the State and by the General Government for the support of the college, draws seven per cent. interest. The state of the fund at the close of the last fiscal year was as follows:

This fund, bearing six per cent. interest, is derived from the sale of salt spring lands, granted by the State for the support of a normal school. The condition of this fund and its income at the close of the fiscal year was as follows:

STATE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS.

THE UNIVERSITY.

The University of Michigan has nearly completed the first half century of its existence, and during the coming year will be celebrated its semi-centennial. And what a marvellous history will this event most fitly commemorate! From a few schools located in different parts of the State, each embracing a course of study which is now surpassed by many of our high schools, it has grown to the full stature of a University in the most comprehensive sense of the word. In the comparatively brief period of fifty years it has accumulated property to the value of nearly $1,000,000. In addition to the various courses of study offered in the literary department special schools have been established in law, medicine, chemistry, dentistry, civil and mining engineering and mechanics. Its several faculties aggregate more than ninety instructors. More than fifteen hundred students from all parts of the world are enrolled in the different departments, while the number of graduates exceeds eight thousand. The several libraries include 70,000 volumes. The museums of natural history, archæology and ethnology, fine arts and history, anatomy and materia medica, and the industrial arts are all very complete. The various laboratories are finely equipped with apparatus and material for practical illustration. More than a score of men and women who have been connected with the University as instructors or students have attained to high rank in science, literature and politics. In his address at the celebration of the semi-centennial of the admission of Michigan to the Union, President Angell sums up a brief but comprehensive sketch of the development of the University in the following eloquent words: "I have thus given a rapid and brief sketch of the origin and development of the University. Its growth is, we may confidently say, without a parallel in the history of American Universities. Its name is spoken with honor wherever American scholarship is known. It has long had in its faculties professors whose fame has circled the globe. It has done its full part in making the name and fame of Michigan familiar to the world. And looking back to-day on the proud history of the State, shall we say that the fathers erred in laying deep and broad the foundations of the University? Does not rather their work stand as a monument to their wisdom and foresight? They not only secured, almost without cost, a generous education for their own children, but they saved at least three generations of educated men to Michigan. They made certain, at an early day, the collection of museums and libraries, which could, probably, not have been gathered in a century through private generosity. Nor can it be ques

tioned that the University has exerted a most powerful, elevating and stimulating influence upon the public schools, and especially upon the high schools of the State. It has attracted a large number of men of high intelligence and character from other States who, after completing their studies, have remained to strengthen and enrich this State with useful lives. The power and influence of the University have been felt throughout the length and breadth of the State, nay, throughout the whole nation and in many a foreign land."

During the past year the University has prospered in all its departments. The total attendance reached 1,401, an increase over the preceding year of 106, the increase being chiefly in the literary department. The number of graduates in the several departments was 366, an increase of 3 over the preceding year.

The course of instruction in the law school has been graded and hereafter. text-book work will supplement the lectures. This change will insure more thorough training and is in harmony with the general policy of the Board of Regents to constantly advance the qualifications for graduation in all departments.

The annual report of President Angell, included in the documentary part of this volume, contains a detailed statement of the present condition and needs of the University. The institution has attained such a magnitude that the annual resources fall far short of meeting the current expenses, while the necessity of funds for special purposes was never more pressing than at present. The recent valuable contributions to the art collection have created a demand for a suitable building for their safe keeping and proper exhibition. It seems to me a matter of great importance that these collections, aggregating in value several hundred thousand dollars, should be protected from damage, and it is earnestly to be hoped that the Legislature will take prompt action in this matter. No doubt if the State would furnish a suitable build ing where valuable works of art could be safely deposited, the disposition to give to the University, which has been so marked in the past few years, would be greatly stimulated. Certainly the State has been amply compensated for all the aid given the University in the past, and I am confident the requests of the Board of Regents will receive the same liberal treatment from the State that has always been accorded them.

THE NORMAL SCHOOL.

The vacancy in the principalship of the Normal School caused by the resignation of Principal Willits, and which was temporarily filled by Professor Daniel Putnam, has been permanently supplied by the appointment of Supt.

J. M. B. Sill. Principal Sill was a member of the first class that graduated from the Normal, was afterward a member of the faculty, and has been continuously engaged in educational work since his graduation. He has long been recognized as one of the leading educators of the State, and his successful administration of the office of superintendent of the Detroit city schools gives assurance of the possession of executive ability so essential to the management of a large educational institution.

Principal Sill entered upon his duties under very favorable auspices. Under the wise management of acting Principal Putnam the attendance had increased until it exceeded any previous year in the history of the school. Perfect harmony existed between the individual members of the faculty, and the relations between the instructors and students was uniformly pleasant. The continued growth and prosperity of the school, under these conditions, would seem to be an assured fact.

During the past year the attendance in the normal department reached 628, an increase of 108 over the preceding year. The faculty numbered 24, and 87 were graduated at the last commencement.

The present accommodations are entirely inadequate for so large an attendance, and the necessity for enlarged quarters which was so strongly urged by Principal Willits in his last report, is made still more pressing by the large increase in the number of students. The matter demands prompt action or the board will be compelled to restrict the attendance.

The course in music has been extended to afford instruction in choral singing and in instrumental music. This has resulted in an increased attendance at the conservatory of music, the enrollment reaching 123 during the year.

No changes of any importance have been made in the courses of study or methods employed. Good, faithful work has been done by the students, and an earnest desire to make the best use of the opportunities offered has characterized all.

The reports of the State Board of Education and the acting principal furnish detailed statements of the courses of study, members of the faculty, and matters of general interest to friends of the school.

THE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.

The report of the secretary of the State Board of Agriculture, included in the appendix to this volume, contains many interesting facts relating to this institution not generally understood by the public. The permanent endowment fund of the college derived from the sale of lands granted by the general government, has already reached that point where the income is sufficient to meet the entire current expenses. Practically, the college is self