rolled increased during the year about 10,000 (against an increase of about 8,000 in school population), the number enrolled in graded schools was 13,754 more, there being, of course, a proportionate decrease in attendance on ungraded schools. This larger proportion of the better class of schools, in connection with an advance in the average pay of teachers, an increase of nearly 5,000 in average daily attendance and of one day in the average school term, shows plainly that better work, as well as more of it, must have been done in the schools. The increase in expenditure for school purposes was $570,742, the value of school property was $1,301,580 more, while the amount of the State school fund was augmented by $12,566.

MICHIGAN.

The statistics from this State are gratifying, showing decided advance in nearly all important points. Of 595,687 youth of school age (5-20), 411,954, or about 69 per cent., were enrolled in public schools, besides 30,458 in private schools. Public school enrollment increased by nearly 7,000, against an increase in school children of 18,624, over two-thirds of the advance in enrollment being in the graded schools. More districts maintained public schools, more houses were reported, and more teachers were employed, the increase in the latter item, too, being less than in that of the number required to supply the schools, showing a healthy tendency toward fewer changes in the corps of teachers. More teachers' institutes were held; the attendance on them was larger than during any previous year, and further means for improvement were sought by them in the organization of a State teachers' reading circle. Notwithstanding this, there was not only no increase, but even a slight decrease, in the average monthly pay of male teachers, which was only about $46. The average school term for the State decreased.

WISCONSIN.

With 544,976 youth of school age (4-20), 321,718, or 59 per cent., were enrolled in public schools, and 174,844, or 32 per cent., were in average attendance, an increase of more than 16,000 in the number of youth of school age and of only 4,749 in the enrollment. There were 237 more teachers employed during the year, while only 147 more were necessary to supply the schools, an apparent indication of frequent change. An increase appears in the average monthly pay of teachers in the cities, with a decrease in the pay of those employed in the counties. The whole amount, however, expended for public schools increased by $335,594.

MINNESOTA.

The reports of the State superintendent to the legislature being biennial, and the last one printed being for the term closing with 1883-'84, the information at hand for the present year is limited to that given by the superintendent in a special return to this Office. These figures show advancement, as far as they go, in many respects, the exceptions being a small decrease in the average monthly pay of teachers, in the whole amount expended for public schools, and in the estimated value of public school property. Progress appears from an increase of about 9,500 in pupils enrolled in public schools, and one nearly twice as great in the average daily attendance, causing nearly 6 per cent. of advance in the latter based on the former, while the average school term for the State was 4 days longer.

IOWA.

In this State the statistics for 1884-'85 show advance in many points. With 634,407 youth of school age (5-21), there were 477,663, or about 75 per cent., enrolled in public schools, besides nearly 18,000 more in private schools, an increase for the year of 4,697 in pupils enrolled out of over 11,000 more of school age. The number of schools, both graded and ungraded, increased, as did that of teachers, in about the same proportion, and the average monthly pay of men advanced slightly, that of women falling off. The average school term was, as during the previous year, 144 days; the valuation of public

school property was $1,882,237 higher, and the amount of the State school fund $46,707 more than in 1883-'84. There was, however, on the other hand, a decrease of 2,704 in the average daily attendance, and of $182,658 in the whole amount expended for public schools.

NEBRASKA.

The statistics for the year 1884-'85 indicate progress in the public school system at all points. With about 233,000 youth of school age (5-21), nearly 162,000, or 69 per cent., were enrolled in public schools-an increase of 23,802 in school youth and of 24,300 in the number brought into the public schools, the per cent. of the enrollment to school population having advanced by 3.72. The average monthly pay of teachers was greater by more than $2, and all public school expenditures by $1,075,527, the whole amount spent for school purposes reaching $2,918,157. The valuation of public school property was over $641,000 more, and the amount of the permanent school fund $348,421 more.

COLORADO.

Here, too, the statistics show an advance during the year at nearly all points. With nearly 58,000 youth of school age (6-21), about 39,000, or 67 per cent., were enrolled in public schools, an increase over the figures given in 1883-'84 of 1,713 in school population, of 1,023 in the number of pupils enrolled, and of 1,440 in average daily attendance. To meet this greater demand for instruction 74 more teachers were employed, and accommodations were provided for 2,820 more pupils, the valuation of State school property increasing proportionately. This valuation for 1884-'85 was $2,052,100, against $1,676,130 the previous year, although from a clerical error in the Report of this Office for that year the annual increase in valuation of school property was given instead of the whole amount. The entire expenditure for public schools also increased during the year, but to an amount less than that of the increased value of school property, and the amount of available State school fund was $19,609 more.

STATES ON THE PACIFIC SLOPE-NEVADA.

There appears but little ground for doubt that population in important parts of this wide territory is declining, from depression in the mining districts, which were for several years sources of great wealth. Partly from this cause, and probably some kindred ones, the activities of school work have been affected, and Superintendent Young prefers to wait till 1885-'86 before presenting the statistics of schools, which by that time, it is hoped, may be more satisfactory and fuller than they could be if presented earlier.

CALIFORNIA.1

Through figures furnished by State Superintendent Welcker, in advance of his full biennial report, there is shown, in 1884-'85, an increase of 14,425 in youth of school age (5-17), of 4,200 in public school enrollment, and of 1,566 in private or church schools; also 121 more school districts, 112 more public schools, 170 more teachers in these last, and 633 more such teachers holding first-grade county certificates, with 55 additional graduates from normal schools. The pay of men teaching was somewhat diminished; that of women slightly increased. No figures are given for school expenditure, value of State school property, or amount of State school fund.

OREGON.

The legislature having changed its time of meeting from September and October to January 1, all State reports from Oregon are now presentable at that date. The next biennial one for public schools will therefore be submitted to the legislature January 1, 1887. Meanwhile Superintendent McElroy supplies statistics for 1885 which show an increase of 6,151 in school youth (4-20), and of 2,950 in the enrollment of such youth in public schools, but a large decrease in average daily attendance. The average school 1This Office is much indebted for valuable aid to Mrs. S. B. Cooper, of San Francisco, well known for her able, self-sacrificing, and effective labors in behalf of education.

term was 5 days longer, the expenditure for public schools $34,475 greater, than in 1884, and the valuation of all school property, including school lands yet unsold, was estimated to be far beyond any before reported.

THE TERRITORIES-ALASKA.

Dr. Sheldon Jackson, recently appointed United States general agent in Alaska, reports the schools in 1884-'85 in a flourishing condition under missionary supervision. At Sitka the training and industrial school for native children was enlarged, and the girls' industrial school held for some time at Fort Wrangell was removed to and united with it, instruction being given in school studies, household industries, and, for boys, carpentry and woodwork, by 8 teachers. Over 100 children came under these forms of instruction here. At Haines, 200 miles by water north of Sitka, an industrial school, with from 25 to 30 boarding pupils and about 75 day scholars, was carried on in a new building under 3 instructors. At Hoonah, 130 miles north of Sitka, the school attendance, under 2 teachers, was 69 boys, 76 girls, and 74 adults, making a total of 219. At Jackson, 533 miles south of Sitka by the usual route of travel, about 100 pupils were taught by 1 teacher. At Fort Wrangell, after the removal of the industrial school to Sitka, a small industrial school for boys has been maintained, under 1 teacher. From the Seal Islands, where the Alaska Commercial Company has schools, no report for 1884-'85 has been received.

March 2, 1885, the Secretary of the Interior assigned to the United States Commissioner of Education the duty of providing for educational work in Alaska. This looks towards an enlargement of school training there, which will require additional teachers, buildings, furniture, charts, books, etc., and must require an increased appropriation. As nearly as can be ascertained from the United States census of 1880 there are 11,237 children of school age to be provided for within the Territory.1

1 During the progress of this Report the Senate called for a copy of the report of Dr. Sheldon Jackson on the schools of Alaska. I transmitted the same with the following letter, which, as it contains matter of permanent interest, I think it best to repeat in this place. Dr. Jackson's report gives full details of the work in Alaska. Six thousand copies of the report have been ordered, and as soon as published copies may be obtained by application to members of Congress.

MARCH 1,1886.

SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith the report of Dr. Sheldon Jackson, general agent of education in Alaska, called for in your letter of the 17th ult., in accordance with Senate resolution of February 15, 1886.

In forwarding this report, allow me to say that in obeying the order from the Department to organize the common schools required under the provisions of the organic act providing a form of government for Alaska, the first requisite, as it seemed to me, was some one in Alaska possessed of the ability, education, honesty, devotion, courage, and willingness to sacrifice his comfort and himself and endure the hardships and perils of undertaking to supervise the establishment of the schools; one who should not only understand the facts in the condition of the youth to be taught, but who should be able to aid in securing the teachers fit for the work. No one, to my knowledge, met these requirements as did Dr. Sheldon Jackson, who had already spent so much time in the Territory, and who had studied the people and their environment so thoroughly, and who had done so much to arouse the country to an effort for the education of their children.

Although I had carefully studied Alaska with reference to the possibilities of education there, and had endeavored to report the facts as I found them with the same care that I had studied and reported all other portions of the country since entering upon the duties of this office, I could have accomplished little or nothing had not Dr. Jackson accepted the place of general agent of education as named by you. With his aid I believe that good progress has been made, considering the distances to be traveled and the lack of communication and the other obstacles encountered. Plans have been matured; the co-operation of benevolent agencies has, as far as possible, been secured, in some cases greatly increasing the amount expended and the good accomplished; the schools have been started upon methods and principles specially calculated to take the people as they are, on their soil, in their climate, and with all their other peculiar surroundings and all their customs, and give them the benefit of instruction in the virtues of our civilization before they are destroyed by its vices. The people are self-supporting and teachable, and never should be set back by introducing the destructive features long ago admitted into our policy of treating the Indians, and now found at once so obstructive and so expensive in the present efforts for their wise education. Al

ARIZONA.

Although this young Territory in 1885 shortened by 3 years its free-school age, making it 6-18 instead of 6-21, it still reported 844 more youth of that age than in 1882'83, enrolled 1,527 more pupils in its public schools than in 1883-'84, and held 945 more in average attendance under a slightly larger corps of teachers. The average term of school, however, was less by 58 days, and the amount expended for the schools was smaller by $53,983. A new and much improved school law made the minimum school term 5 months instead of 3, with other changes, which may be found under the full Territorial matter in the Appendix.

DAKOTA.

This vigorous Territory, excelling several of the States in expenditure for schools and accommodation for the pupils in them, shows striking growth at almost every point: more youth of school age by 10,064; more pupils enrolled in public schools by 19,044; more by 10,997 in average attendance daily. School districts increased by 20; school townships, by 214; schools in the public system, by 1,280; teachers, by 1,234; expenditure for public schools, by $507,333; and valuation of school property, by $498,192—a record almost, if not quite, unparalleled in the case of so young a Territory.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

No census but a decennial one being taken in the District, the increase of school youth cannot be reported, nor, consequently, the true per cent. of such youth enrolled and in average attendance. The enrollment, as may be seen, fell off considerably, notwithstanding an increase of 319 enrolled in colored schools; but average attendance in the public schools was 978 greater than in the previous year, an indication of more attractive teaching. The average time of school was nearly 4 days less; the teachers, 40 more in number; the expenditure for their pay and all school purposes, $21,833 beyond that of 1883-'84.,

IDAHO.

The statistics presented here are few, many trustees of schools having failed to report them to the Territorial superintendent, but, as far as received, they show an increase of 2,259 school youth (5–21), of 1,750 such youth in public schools, of 35 in the number of school districts, of 39 in school-houses, of 68 in schools, and of $33,454 in expenditure for the Territorial schools. Teachers' monthly pay was reported to be $61.53 on an average, the standard of qualification having been raised. Teachers' institutes, marked by good attendance and lively interest, are said to have been held in several counties with excellent results, a new law providing for the attendance of all teachers in the counties where they are held, without loss of pay.

though the report is only a preliminary one-coming in the first few months of progress-it is brought as nearly as possible down to date, and is full in details of great value.

It will be seen that I have not thought it best, with the smallness of the appropriation already made for the work, to begin the erection of school buildings, but in my opinion there is now in hand sufficient data on which to base estimates and to proceed to erect buildings. These, in my judgment, with the school-house, should include a residence for the family of the teacher.

I have elsewhere recommended that $50,000 should be appropriated for the next fiscal year. It only remains for me to add that I have many evidences that the schools and the general agent have been uniformly favorably received by the Alaskans, and that the only opposition has originated with those who should have been the first and most constant to aid him and his work.

I may be pardoned, perhaps, if I add that I have felt that in our neglect to fulfill our solemn treaty promises with the Alaskans, our boasted free government has in their case been brought into unfavorable comparison with the imperial government of autocratic Russia, and I have therefore taken special pleasure in endeavoring under the order of the Department to give the people of those distant regions, even at this late day, the benefit of our common schools in the form best adapted to their good, and best calculated to teach them our ideas, and to introduce among them the knowledge of the blessings of our free institutions.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JOHN LATON, Commissioner.

To the Honorable THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR,

Washington, D. C.

INDIAN TERRITORY AND INDIAN SCHOOLS.

From the 5 tribes of the Indian Territory proper no report for 1884-'85 has been received; but for many of the other tribes new and improved arrangements were secured by Mr. John H. Oberly, Indian school superintendent, with $992,800 from the general Government. The results of these arrangements were 84 boarding schools and 86 day schools under agency supervision, with an average attendance of 6,008; 7 Indian training schools, with an average attendance of 1,425; and 23 other Indian schools in the States and Territories, with an average attendance of 710, all at a cost of $887,276 to the Government, besides large amounts from friends of the red men in the States and Territories.

MONTANA.

The report from this Territory indicates advance at every point but one; 33 more school districts, 54 more public schools (the number of such graded reaching 76), while 45 more teachers were employed at fair pay, that of women lessened, that of men increased, the average for both sexes being better than in some large States. School property was rated $42,395 higher than in 1883-'84. With only 1,714 more school youth, there were enrolled in public schools 1,632 more pupils, which, with 90 more in private schools, a little more than covered the whole increase of persons of school age.

NEW MEXICO.

The new school law of 1881, referred to in the last Bureau Report, shows some good fruits in 1884-'85, no full statistics coming yet from the Territory as a whole, but enough to give promise of fuller ones ere long, when the machinery of education shall be brought into better working order. It is something to have a report at all from a regular school officer (the Territorial auditor being ex officio superintendent), those of previous years, few and far between, having been from generous volunteers.

UTAH.

An increase here of $24,504 in expenditure for public schools and a still larger one in the estimated value of school property is hardly met by a corresponding advance at other points. There was indeed an addition of 1,749 school youth; but of this new material all that appears to have been utilized was 653 more such youth in the Territorial schools, the average attendance in such schools falling off by 395 from the reported number in 1883-'84, making a loss of .78 per cent. in youth enrolled and of 2.13 per cent. in average attendance.

Under the domestic mission boards of the Presbyterian, Congregational, and Methodist Episcopal Churches, 60 day schools report 7 male and 99 female teachers, and 1,769 male and 1,637 female pupils; 43 of these schools report grounds and buildings owned and valued at $147,025, and 22 schools report apparatus valued at $2,232.

Of the 60 mission schools thus reporting 32 are Presbyterian, 15 are Congregational, and 10 are Methodist Episcopal. All but two are doing elementary and intermediate school work; they are supported chiefly by the mission funds of their respective churches; nearly all have a nominal tuition fee, but, from the purpose of their work, do not collect much from their pupils.

From the other mission schools among the Mormons nothing definite has been received; the Protestant Episcopal Church has a good school at Salt Lake City and another at Logan; there is a flourishing Baptist school in Salt Lake City; the Roman Catholic Missions are at work in Salt Lake City and other places, but of these efforts no authentic particulars are at hand.

WASHINGTON. 1

Superintendent Kerr, in charge of Territorial school affairs, reports fair progress here, 71 per cent. of the school youth going into the public schools, and 66.31 per cent. of 1The schools in Oregon and Washington Territories have had from the first a wise and faithful riend in Rev. Geo. H. Atkinson, D. D., to whom this Office is specially indebted for information.