Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1837-01-11

acquisition may be rendered valuable. The
value of fisheries and other objects of trade
and commerce on Lake Superior, will l am
confident, yet exceed the expectations of
the most sanguine of our citizens; and II |
only needs communication for our ship
ping around the falls of the st. Maries river,
TO enable US to realize those expectations.
This work should however be considered
essentially national, and would therefore
suggest, that you memorable Congress for
IN appropriation for the construction Of a
ship canal from the outlet OF the Lake, 10 a
point on the river below the falls. The dis
lance between the two points, will not it is
thought exceed one mile and the eXpendi-
turc of one hundred thousand dollars in the
construction of this canal, would be so
trihng mutter when compared with advan-
tagcs growing out Of it, that we should not
lose sight of the importance of making it
State improvement. in the event. that the
Government of the United States should re-
fuse the necessary appropriation for its
completion.
Numerous applications for charters will
the construction of rail roads in different
sections of the State. feel it my duty as
the Executive officer of the Government to
give my sanction to all applications of this
character, however much | may doubt the
expediency Of too great an extension of
chartered privileges, whenever am salts
fled, that the public and not private interests,
are the objects of the application. In as.
Stunning this rule of conduct, | shall not fail
at the same time, to keep before me the fact,
that rail roads are only of advantage to the
great body Of the people, where they tend
10 increase the value Of the products of
agriculture and the demand for labor.
These results are only to be expected from
such rail roads as open O market for pro-
duce, by supplying better and cheaper facil-
ties OF transportation to such parts Of the
State, as were in a measure before deprived
of them. am led to these suggestions
from the circumstance, that all applications
for rail road charters are apt to be too readi-
ly granted, whether running from one Sec
ton Of the State to another, from village TO
village, or from neighborhood to neighbour
hood. The result Of this course of legis-
lation ifpersevered in, must be, that the CON-
mon roads of the country will become ne
elected and forgotten, will be rendered un-
fit for the ordinary purposes of travel, and
the farmer must ultimately be dependent on
private companies, for the transportation Of
his produce, upon such terms, and at such
prices, as individual interests may dictate.
So manifestly important and essential to
the permanent interest and prosperity Of
the State, is the immediate perfection of
system of internal improvements, that
deem it unnecessary to urge the subject
more fully upon your attention. In the
first commencement OF our public works,
we must necessarily rely upon foreign loans
for the immediate means of carrying them
into effect. | would therefore recommend
the adoption at your present session of such
measures, as may be required in the nego.
citation of such loan, as is demanded by
the objects which we have in view. A loan
of Five millions of Dollars to DO drawn as
wanted, it is thought would be sufficient, to
accomplish all the important public improve
mems demanded by the State for the pre-
sent; and that economy may be consider.
ed as misjudged, which for the sake Of
avoiding an immediate advance of money,
would subject the community to inconveni-
ences and evils hundred fold greater, than
the benefits to be derived from procrastina.
ton.
The superintendent Of public instruction,
will report TO you system for the CO.
vernment of the University of Michigan,
and for the organization of the primary
schools of the State. For the details Of
these systems, refer you to the report,
which | commend to your most earnest
consideration. cannot however, dismiss
the subject of education, without endcavor-
ing to impress upon your minds the truth,
that in it is embraced the most vital interests
of the country, that no object within the
province of your legislation, should demand
so important portion Of your time and at.
tention.
The State fund for the support of CON-
mon schools, with prudent husbandry will
equal our utmost wants. The University
Of Michigan will also possess an endow.
ment, which will enable the State to place
that institution, upon an elevation of char.
acter and standing, equal to that of any |
similar institution in the Union. would |
therefore recommend the immediate loca.
ton of the University, and at the same time
the adoption of a system for its government,
as well as system for the government of
your primary schools.
In the organization of your common
schools, which are the foundation upon
which your whole system of education must
be based, the FIRST measure essential to their
success and good government, is the an.
pointment of teachers orthe highest charac.
ter, both moral and Intellectual. Liberal
salaries should be allowed the instructor
and without this, you may rest assured YOU
must fail in your object; as individuals in
all respects competent to the charge of your
schools, will be excluded from them by the |
parsimoniousness Of their compensation.
Let me also suggest that YOU adopt per.
manent and uniform standard of works to
be used in the schools, and that in the
studies selected they may to as great an
extent as practicable, embrace the useful
and practical information of life. Let your
youth be taughtthe first principlesi in morals,
OF science and of government, commencing
tleir study in the primary school, elevating
1t grade as you approach the district semi.
nry, and continue its progress until you
: .ach the highest seat in your University.
by this system your children will acquire