Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1856-12-24
THE GRAND RIVER TIMES
GRAND HAVEN, MICHIGAN.
WEDNESDAY EVENING, DEC. "a, 1856.
Our NEXT LEeIsLAruRE-SuBJEcrs OF

LEGIsLATIoN.-The next Legislature of this
State assemblies on the first Monday of Janu-
airy next. Several important subjects of leg
islation will present themselves for considera-
ton; among which may be mentioned a
Banking Law, to suit the rapidly increasing
commercial wants of our prosperous State.
1t will be recollected by our readers that at
the last session a bill providing for the estab-
fishing of Banking Associations, with proyis-
ions, such as the then existing Legislature in
its wisdom considered adequate to facilitate
business transactions, in their varied relations,
was passed, but did not meet the approval of
the Executive, and consequently became null
and void.
1t certainly seems as though some policy
should be adopted to enable citizens to trans
act business with home capital, rather than
be put to the necessity of using foreign cur
rencv, and suffering the inconvenience natu-
rally arising therefrom, while we have suffi-
cient capital in our own midst, if properly
made available, to meet all demands upon it !;
and we feel confident that the united wisdom
Of the next Legislature will develop some
plan to bring into existence a circulating me-
dunn of sufficient magnitude to meet the de-
mands of domestic trade and commerce.
Another subject of legislation will be that
of free schools. The new constitution pro-
vides that within five years of its adoption,
1850, the Legislature shall make provision
for free school, at least three months each
year in every organized school district in the
State. AT the last session the subject of free
schools came up for consideration-that being
the limit of the constitutional time and ac-
ton thereon becoming obligatory by that in
strument-a bill was matured and was sup
posed by many members to have passed and
become law but through some improperly
adjusted portion Of the law-making machine
ry it slipped, and for long time the where
abouts of the bill could not be discovered,
but when found was still in embryo, but mere
ly sufficiently mature for new state of being
.engrossed for the final reading.
In connection with the supposed passage of
the bill making provision for free schools, was
an enactment, just previous to the final adj
journment, granting copy of Webster's I'm
abridged Dictionary to the different organic
ed school districts in the State, at the public
expense. This bill merely reached his Excel
lency's pocket, and, for aught we know, re-
poses there to this day, in quiet and peaceful
obscurity.
Another subject in connection with con-
reform in our existing school law,
now agitated by Educationists, in various
parts of the State, and which will probably
come before the Legislature for consideration,
is the establishment of county superintend-
ency of schools. Such an office is now in en-
stence in the State of New York, working
admirably. We are acquainted with the ben
eficial results of the system upon the general
prosperity of the schools in that State, as re-
'pects an adoption of uniform methods of
teaching in the different schools, a uniformity
Of text books, the best system of presenting
,ho different subjects of education to the
mind of the pupil so as to insure the most
'apid advancement in knowledge, the forma-
ion of teachers associations, holding institutes
md prompting friendly intercourse between
teachers, so that each may be benefited by
he experience Of others, and consulting with
hose more intimately connected with the
PRACTICAL working of our educational system.
Is to the best and most efficient means Of
endering our public schools what they should
become, the peoples college.
An officer who was capable of performing
aithfully the duties above limited, as pertain
NO to that office, we think would be of es-
entail service in the greater prosperity of
ur schools, and render them what they
hould in reality become, the pride and glory
f our State.
Another subject Of legislation will doubt
ess have relation to railroads, making some
provisions for a proper disposition of the l.
100000 acres of land donated from the pub
&c domain, by a recent act of Congress, TO
ssist In the construction of railroads where