The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1856-07-29

pertinent, ready at all times to receive and
deal kindly and fairly with friends and oppo-
nents.
Since Michigan has been State, one Of
her prominent attributes has been the caro-
which she has bestowed upon the subject Of
popular education. Some of her best and
most earnest minds have been devoted, pri.
vately and unofficially, to tho subject; and
Others Of like characteristics have been called
upon to serve the State in that behalf in pub
lie capacities, as Superintendents of Public
Instruction, as members Of the Board Of Ed
ucation, or as Regents of the University
This course Of sound policy has made itself
manifest upon the welfare Of the people
The primary schools of the State are now
substantially free. The annual income of the
fund has reached 100000, and the prorata
benefits are now distributed to all organized
school districts in proportion to the number
of pupils.
BY late legislation, the sphere Of the Su-
perintendent of Public Instruction has become
enlarged, and now, in connection with Teach
ers' Institutes, and the general supervision of
all common schools, and certain duties per-
tanning to the management of the State Nor
NAL school, and the University Of Michigan,
the entire time of that officer is absorbed
At the outset of the system, fiscal duties
were attached to, and formed a part of his
routine, but since 1912, these have been TAX.
en- of, and now the Office is left free from all
financial responsibility, except that which be-
longs to the disbursement Of the special fund
for Teachers Institutes. With the growth
r A. toto tho nf this offsca ha-
comes enhanced, and the performances Of its
duties in an intelligent, thorough and prompt
manner, becomes more and more vitality i'm
portant to the general good. 1t is obvious
that the first requisite quality, is a highly
disciplined intelligence, and broad and liberal
views Of duty. Without these, no matter
what intentions actuate, the result fails
Zeal without knowledge, is nowhere more
mschievous than where it is allowed to deal
with the elements of human knowledge. All
partizan influence works mischief; all sectari-
an bias is Indignantly felt, and all aims are
destructive except the aim of human enlight-
cnment. The people of Michigan have twice
tried Hon. Ira Mahcw, and have found in him
the requisite intelligence, and the requisite
efficiency. Parents, and others interested in
the subject, have become acquainted with him
through his excellent works upon popular ed
ucation; the general scientific plan, and the
abundant practical detail of which, leave no
doubt of his attainments, as head of the ed
ucational department. Of the State, while his
assiduity, his practical talent, and his entire
impartiality, have been fully proven by the
manner in which the Department has been
administered during the past eighteen months.
He possesses, and has given proof Of another
cardinal quality in a public ofticer-ho is
,,sn S'n,gEney upep the arrival OF
came obvious to him that it was the work Of
fraad; larger number ofchildren and youth,
within the years of pupilagc, had been COM
pretended within the return, than there were
actual inhabitants upon the Island Of all ages,
and of both sexes; whercupon, the Superin-
tendent dispatched notice. that for that rea-
son all school monies would be withheld from
that region for the current year. Thus fraud
was punished, and the fund was saved some
thousand dollars, to be distributed elsewhere.
For these reasons, the Republican party again
ask the popular support for tho present able
and faithful Superintendent of Public Instruc-
ton,
The term of Office for which Hon. GIDEON
o. WH1TTEMoRE, of Oakland, was elected as
member Of the State Board of Education,
having expired, the name Of Rev. George
Willard, of Calhoun, is presented for that Of
fice Mr.. Willard is young man Of thorough
clerical education, and of fine character. He
is an Episcopal clergyman, settled at Battle
Creek, having formerly preached at Coldwater
in Branch county. Like President Fairfield,
Of Hillsdale College, Mr.. Willard, although
clergyman, is also man, and as such, takes
the responsibility to speak and act like man,
upon subjects, and in matters in which the
good of his country is concerned, He is Of
fered to the popular support upon his person
al fitness for the office.
Under the organization Of Government,
the Board Of State Auditors, consisting of
the Secretary of State, the Treasurer, and
the Commissioner of the State Land Office,
are charged with the examination and allow
ance Of all claims against the State, for the
current incidental expenses Of Government,
except salaries fixed by the Constitution, and
the pay of members and officers of the Leg
isature. They stand in the important rela-
ton of guardians of the Treasury, through
whom alone it can be approached, except in
cases where positive authority is given by the
Constitution, or by enactment. Through
this channel, in times past, all that fearful
and reckless depletion of the revenue has oc-
CURED, which has made tax payers stand a.
ghast, and has made the very name of a
claim against the State synonymous with
fraud, completely and theft. 1t has been this,
more than all other evils Of State Govern
ment, which has disgusted honest, home
keeping men of the Democratic party, with
their officers, and has taught them to look
beyond politics in the selection: of public Off
GERS. The acts Of the present Board of Au-
ditors, are all before the people. Every cent
allowed BY them, up to the first of Decem-
Der last, has been published in their Annual
Report and every cent allowed since that
time is a matter of public record, open to
the inspection of all, and liable to the scruti-
ny Of partison presses, which in the heat Of
the campaign will allow nothing to escape,
upon which they can hang cavii. The
L. Al G.. 4 l.