Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1851-01-17

| legislature, incorporating an institution for the
education OF the blind, which provided that IF
teenth of one mill tax should be assessed to aid
/ this institution.
ms tax has been assessed and is in process
OF collection, and amounts TO the sum of S., $50
Is. 1t Is understood that this institution has
been organized, but TO what extent | am unable
to inform you, report Of its trustees not having
been made to any department: ofthe government
The State having lent its aid to build up the en-
terPrise, it is proper that the progress made
| should be communicated to its representatives.
There IS, however no reason to question the
fidelity of its officers, or that they will fail to
make known the steps taken to promote It's in
terests. Such an Institution is we'll worthy the
patronage and countenance OF the State, and |
commend 1t to your favorable notice.
In pursuance Of the act providing for the sale
OF the School and University land, the Board of
Commissioners VINO have the sale of these lands,
and The investment of the funds arising from
such sales IN charge, have, with the approval of
the Executive, offered for sale large portion of
those that have been appraised, and have been
otherwise actively engaged in the discharge OF
their duties under this act, since the adjournment
Of the Legislature. 1t is intended to place in
market the residue of these lands, as early as
practicable next season.
The Reports of this Board will show in detail
the extent of their labors, the quantity sold in
each county, the amount of purchase money paid
or to be paid, with the amount of loans and inter-
est, which Will merit your careful examination
The aggregate number of acres, of the 10th
sections, including the school section in the vii
lage Of Racine, sold, is 90,279 TO-
Amount Of purchase money paid, up
to January lst, 1851, S7I,l47 90
Amount of purchase money unpaid
up to Jan. LIST, 1881, 444,4O9 76
Total amount of sales of school lands,
up to Jan. lst, 1851, 5l5,55G IS
Add amount Of per cent fund, re-
ceived from United States for the
years 1913 and l849, 22.537 So
Total amount Of School Fund on the
lst Jan. 1851, $4,000 IL
Amount Interest received on loans
up to Jan lst, 1851, 1850 10
Amount Of interest received on TIL
paid purchase money up to Janu-
airy LIST, 1851, 22,47O Is
Deduct amount paid for expenses Of
sale, record books, &c, LIS 10
Nett amount Of income fund on the
first Of January, 1851, subject to
distribution for the support of COM
mon and normal schools, 2O,65I 70
The irstalmeut ofinterest on the unpaid Dur-
chase money, due on the first day of this month,
amounts to S27,065 35. Should this be paid
promptly, the sum to be appropriated for these
objects will be S47,7l6 IT. This result affords
encouraging anticipations-of what may be reai-
Zed for the general instruction of the popular
mind when our whole School Fund shall be
made available and productive The importance
of practically educating those that succeed US on
the active theatre of life, will be too we'll appre-
ciated by you, not to attract your closest scrut-
ny and favorable action. Having discussed the
educational interest Of the State at large in my
former messages, l shall content myself by d.
recting your attention TO the views there express
ed
The Report Of the State Superintendent will
furnish YOU with the situation and progress made
in perfecting the common school system, and the
plans deemed most effective for its Improvement.
\ careful perusal and examination of the Report
ofthis officer is invited. The services of com
petent and qualified teachers in our common
schools are indispensable to the successful pro-
gress Of this branch of our State policy. To Sc
cure such services, has been an object of the Ut
most soliGitude, and has received the untring eff
forts of those of elevated intellect, and devoted
and experienced in the art of instruction.
The discussions upon this subject, have result
cd in the establishment of normal schools for
imIarting the art Of teaching, as the means to
effect the desired end most worthy of govern
mental patronage. The views Of the Supern-
tendent relative to this branch of our education
al system, seem TO be Just, and deserving the at
tention OF the legislature. The constitution de-
cares that the income of the school fund shall
be applied to the support and maintenance OF
common schools, academies and normal schools
and suitable apparatus and libraries From this
it clearly appears to be the duty of the lcgisQ-
ture to appropriate part of this income for the
establishment OF a normal school, if adequate
benefits are received BY the common schools.
The Board OF Regents, in organizing the T.
University, have established a normal department,
designed exclusively for mparting the art of tea
ching, elementary and practical, to the instruc-
tors of our district schools. With the view to
enable the primary schools to realize the benefits
of the normal department at an early day, the
Board, after constructing building for the cole
giate department of the University, have com
menced another structure for the normal depart
ment.
This second edifce the Regents will not be
able to complete at present, without eularging
the permanent debt OF the institution, 10 which
am opposed, as It's present income IS inadequate
to meet the annual interest of this debt, when en-
arred, and its current annua. expenses. / hold
that the State, its municipal corporations, and ev
erv institution under its direction, should be pro-
vded with reliable income, equal to the inter-
est of its debt, if any, and It's ordinary expendi-
lures. Should the University be permitted 10
accumulate its permanent debt by reason Of its
inability to discharge it's current annual liabilj-
ties, it would receive a rePulse, requiring years
TO overcome.
| trust, therefore, that the representatives of
the people will keep Watchful guard over il,
and not permit It's permanent debt to be incrcas-
ed until its income is adequate for the purposes
stated, 81 unless the legislature will grant I as
sstance from the income Of the school fund, in
aid of the normal department. Inasmuch as the
second building is already commenced, and IS 10
be appropriated in It's use for the sole interest Of
the common schools, and for their more efTeCtu-
al Improvements, l submit the proPriety Of grant,
ing the University farther loan, sufficient to
complete the structures already commenced, and
tha; sum equal to the interest upon the princl-
pal Of the cost of the normal structure, be appro
prated from the income OF the school fund, 10
be expended under the direction Of the Board Of
Regents. to establish andin aid of normal schools.
The views expressed, in my opinion, are just,
proper, and within the purview OF the constitu-
. ton, therefore present them for your conside-
ration.
The Report ofihe Board Of Regents will place
before YOU history of their transactions during