ruary, Platteville was conditionally selected as the site of a school, and as it had become apparent that a productive fund of about $600,000, with a net income of over $30,000, was already in hand, with a prospect of a steady increase as fast as lands were sold, the Board, after a careful investigation and consideration of different methods, decided upon the policy of establishing several schools, and of locating them in several parts of the State.

At a meeting held on the 2d day of May in the same year, the board designated Whitewater as the site of a school for the southeastern section of the State, and where a building was subsequently erected; and on the 16th, permanently located a school at Platteville, the academy building having been donated for that purpose. Oshkosh, Stoughton and Sheboygan were also designated as suitable places at which to locate schools.

The school at Platteville was opened October 9, 1866, under Prof. CHAS. H. ALLEN, previously agent of the board, and professor in charge of the Normal Department of the State University. Prof. ALLEN resigned at the close of four years' service, and the school is now in charge of Prof. E. A. CHARLTON, from Lockport N. Y.

The school at Whitewater was opened on the 21st of April, 1868, under Prof. OLIVER AREY, formerly connected with the Normal Schools at Albany and Brockport N. Y., and the building, (erected after designs furnished by G. P. RANDALL, Esq., of Chicago,) was on the same day, dedicated to its uses, with appropriate ceremonies.

A building was completed, during the year 1870, for a third Normal School at Oshkosh, the designs for which were furnished by WM. WALTERS, Esq., of that city. A lack of funds rendered it necessary to delay the opening of this school for about one year. The opening and the ceremony of dedicating the building took place September 19, 1871. The President of the school is GEO. S. ALBEE, A. M., previously superintendent and principal of public schools in Racine.

The Board of Normal Regents, after visiting several localities in the northern and northwestern parts of the State, with a view to the location of a fourth school, somewhere within the limits of the sixth congressional district, and considering the subject fully at a subsequent meeting, determined upon River Falls, in Pierce County, as the most suitable place.

It is understood to be the policy of the Board of Regents to establish eventnally, when the means at their disposal shall permit, not less than six normal schools, but several years must elapse before so many can go into operation. The law which provides for these schools says, (section 28) their "exclusive purpose shall be the instruction and training of persons, both male and female, in the theory and art of teaching, and in all the various branches that pertain to a good common school education; also, to give instruction in agriculture, chemistry, in the arts of husbandry, the mechanic arts, the fundamental laws of the United States and this State, and in what regards the rights and duties of citizens."

The Board of Regents has adopted the following

REGULATIONS FOR ADMISSION TO THE NORMAL SCHOOLS:

1. Each Assembly District in the State shall be entitled to six representives in the Normal School, and in case vacancies exist in the representation to which any Assembly District is entitled, such vacancies may be filled by the President and Secretary of the Board of Regents.

2. Candidates for admission shall be nominated by the Superintendent of the county, (or if the County Superintendent has not jurisdiction, then the nomination shall be made by the City Superintendent,) in which such candidate may reside, and shall be at least sixteen years of age, of sound bodily health, and good moral character. Each person so nominated shall receive a certificate setting forth his name, age, health and character, and a duplicate of such certificate shall be immediately sent by mail, by the Superintendent to the Secretary of the Board.

3. Upon the presentation of such certificate to the President of a Normal School, the candidate shall be examined under the direction of said President in the branches required by law for a third grade certificate, except history and theory and practice of teaching, and if found qualified to enter the Normal School in respect to learning, he may be admitted after furnishing such evidence as the President may require, of good health and good moral charter, and after subscribing the following declaration:

I,

do hereby declare that my purpose in entering the State Normol School is to fit myself for the profession of teaching, and that it is my intention to engage in teaching in the schools of the state.

4. No person shall be entitled to a diploma who has not been a member of of the school in which such diploma is granted at least one year, nor who is less than nineteen years of age; a certificate of attendance may be granted by the President of a Normal School to any person who shall have been a member of such school for one term, provided, that in his judgment such certificate is deserved.

Tuition is free to all who are admitted to the schools under the foregoing regulations. The expense of board varies according to circumstances, but is moderate, averaging about $3.00 a week.

It is provided in section 39 of the Normal School Law, that "any person holding a diploma granted by the said Board of Regents of Normal Schools, certifying that the person holding the same is a graduate of a State Normal School, and that he is qualified to teach a common school, shall after the same has been countersigned by the Superintendent of Public Instruction, as provided in section thirty-eight of this act, be deemed qualified, and such diploma shall be a certificate of qualification, to teach in any common school in this State, and as such, shall have the full force and effect of a first grade certificate until annulled by the Superintendent of Public Instruction."

It is also provided in section 34, that "after any State Normal School shall have commenced its first term, and at least once in each year thereafter, it shall be visited by three suitable persons, not members of the board, but to be

appointed by the Superintendent of Public Instruction, who shall examine thoroughly into the condition, organization and management of the school, and shall report to the Superintendent of Public Instruction their views in regard to its success and usefulness, and any other matters they may judge expedient. Such visitors shall be appointed annually, and their report shall bear date of the 31st day of August, and cover the ing such date."

year preced

As an addition to the work of the Normal Schools, the Board of Regents are authorized to expend a sum not exceeding $5,000 annually, to sustain Teachers' Institutes, and may employ an agent for that purpose. Institutes are regarded as important auxilliaries and feeders to the Normal Schools.

INSTITUTION FOR THE BLIND.

[BY THOMAS H. LITTLE, M. A.]

RESIDENT OFFICERS OF INSTITUTION.

THOMAS H. LITTLE. M. A.,
Superintendent.

Miss S A. WATSON, MISS H. A. DAGGETT, MISS C. L. BALDWIN.

Teachers.

MAURICE D. JONES, MISS FRANCES L. COLVIN,
Teachers of Music.

JAMES STEPHEN,
Foreman of Shop.

MRS. M. H. WHITING,
Matron.

HISTORY.

This Institution was the first established by the State for the benefit of the unfortunate. A school for the blind had previously been supported during the latter part of the year 1849, at Janesville, by the citizens of that place and vicinity. Its operations having been brought to the notice of the Legislature, it was, by act approved February 9, 1850, adopted by the State, which has since entirely supported it.

It is under the charge of five Trustees, appointed by the Governor. They serve for three years. It is their duty to employ a Superintendent, teachers and other persons necessary for the conduct of the school, and to direct the management of it. They are severally responsible for the proper application of all money received. They meet monthly or oftener. No per diem is received, and no compensation made to officers of the board, except the Secretary.

The object of the Institution is declared by law to be "to qualify, as far as may be," the blind "for the enjoyment of the blessings of a free government, obtaining the means of subsistence, and the discharge of those duties, social