Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1849-01-19
As a means of creating this urisorm;tv

the Regents of the University and State
| Superintendent constitute board to pre-
scribe the course Of study and the books to
| be used IN all the schools Of the Slate
| This board should have the selection Of the
Libraries and apparatus of such schools, and
| the fixing standard Of qualification for
teachers and plan for school houses. /
learn that the revisors will submit for your
action at the session an efficient, uniform
system of common schools, adapted to the
wants of the people. Your eaily action on
this subject and repeal of existing laws
relating to ii is advised.
Another important requisite for good
| school, Is competent instructors it is there
fore the duty of the legislature, in perfect
ing system of public instruction, TO secure
| suitable teachers. The close connection
that exist between the pupil and tutor has
not been sufficiently regarded. The estab-
lishment OF Normal Schools at which teach.
ers can be properly educated and prepared
TO perform their duties, will be the most eff
lectual method of accomplishing this object.
| recommended the adoption of this course
so soon as the finances Of the State will
permit.
| respectfully call your attention to the
act pro |lding for the election of State SUI
perintendent and prescribing his dutes.-
This act requires revisons. The term of
service of this Office should be increased 10
Two years. Without this increase no one
can do justice TO the station. This officer
having been elected under the constitution
and laws, 1t will become his peculiar duty
TO have general supervision over The sub
ject ana TO collect such facts ard make such
recommendations as The interest of the
school system may seem to require, which
| have every confidence TO believe will be
faithfully performed.
The benefits resulting from Geological
survey and examination of the State in pro.
noting and developing lis agricultural and
mineral resources, will be of immense value
10 our people. Very liule is known of our
State in Geological point of view and re-
ference Is made at this lime to the subject
more for the purpose of directing public at
tentlon 10 lis importance than TO recommend
any legislative action on the subject at this
session. The state Of the finances will not
1T present admit oft.
The building of good harbors on our
Lake borders, and the improvement of the
rapids OF the great waters are such ackoyl-
edged commercial importance to the State
and the whole Union, that it will only be
necessary to refer you TO them to ensure
such legislative action on yeur part as will
tend TO their accomplishment.
| submit for the information of the Leg,
Isature a communication of Mr.. Alexander
Valtemo!c, on the subject of international
exchanges, accompanied by his report to
the Gov. OF Virginia, as the agent of that
State. respectfully invite your attention
to the consideration of this subject.
The improvement of the internal COM
municatlon of the Stale is worthy your al
lention. While our constitution has denied
to the legislature the power 10 engage in
such improvement except in particular ca
SEES, the main object OF investigations, in con-
nectlon with the subject, is the manner and
means OF accomplishing it.
The right Of the general government TO
establish a system Of this kind, or to col
lect money and distribute it among the
States for such all object being denied it's
power to donate land for any useful purpose
to the Stale wherever il lies has never been
seriously questioned aud can be maintained
upon rational principles. New states arc
admitted into the Union upon an equal
footing with original states but no such
equality can exist, until the states possess
as well the Ultimate right of the soil, as Of
jurisdiction, and the right also 10 tax the
whole domain within her limits. AS some
equivalent for this inequality, il is but right
that the general government should surren-
der portion Of her domain To the states in
which it may lie, 10 be appropriated to
bcneficlent purposes.
| therefore suggest that this subject be
presented to Congress by the legislature,
and that it be asked TO grant TO the State
such quantity Of land within its limits, Ell
Their altern; te sections or otherwise, as will
be sufficient TO construct our most important
works of internal communications. Such
grants can be made with much proprety
IN the unsettled parts of the State in the
north, where settlements will not be inter-
lered with.
Tho construction Of Rail Roads connect
ing the waters of The St. Croix River with
those of Lake Superior, and one extending
from some point on the Mississippi TO near
tiC iilthit VI DldCh ikiNGi tilIOupH w
consin Pincry to Green Bay has been sug-
gested as feasible and well worthy of the
liberIIity of Congress. Among the most
important works OF the kind requiring attcn-
ton, is the construction of such a road
south of the Wisconsin and Fox Rivers,
connecting Lake Michigan with the Miss
issipi. These and the subject in general
is commended to your notice. Ii we do
not ask we shall not receive.
The present manner Of disposing of the
National domain in unlimited quantities has
become striking evil in many parts of our
State Individuals, and some are even
citizens or residents of the u. s. have pur-
chased large quantities of the best lands,
and the settlement Ct the country has been
thereby greatly retarded. Settlers have
Deen compelled to pay an advanced price
for teir homes. ard 10 increase by their
labor the value of the wild lands of non-res>
idents without any corresponding benefit
10 The holders, ard the Investment in many
cases is Improbable. To show the extent
to which this monopoly of the public do