The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1863-01-15
enlightened Congress.

amounts to two hundred and forty thou
sand acres, and is, by the act, to be Sc
lected within this State. 1t will be
necessary for you to provide for the Sc
lection and disposition of these lands, as
well as of the fund to be derived from
them under the conditions of the law
of Congress. can see no better plan
than to selct these lands and dispose
of them at the same prices and in the
same manner as the primary school
lands are, and have been disposed of.
AS to the application of the funds, th
Agricultural College is already in ex
istence, and is just such a college as
the grant contemplates, with the ex-
ception of the military professorship,
which can be easily added. If it is TO
be maintained at all, then this endow-
ment is precisely what it needs and
should have. This is an important
subject, and | hope you will give it
careful consideration.
The public schools continue to be the
most cherished as they are by far the
most important institutions of the
The public schools continue to be the
most cherised as they are by far the
most important institutions of the State.
They are the only true and firm foun-
dation of public and private virtue,
morality and power. The Legislature
has already been liberal and faithful to
them. The funds Set apart for their
maintenance aud support have been
sacredly preserved, and the increase
wisely used. 1t is still our duty to
study carefully the best means by
which the benefits of the schools may
be extended and increased. 1t is yet
possible very greatly to improve the
Primary Schools in particular, by ex-
tending the course of study, and max
ing it more thorough by adopting
more effective and intelligent supervi-
sion, and most important of all, by pro-
viding more competent teachers. 1t is
in the Primary School that the great
body of the people find their only edu-
cation. Every improvement in these
reaches benefciently nearly every child
in the State. / recommend your ear.
attention to the full and satisfactory
report of the Superintendent of Public
Instruction on this subjuct, in whose
recommendations, or nearly all of them
| most heartily concur.
The whole number of children in the
State between the ages Of aud 20, is
26l,S23. The whole number who at
tended the public schools the year past
is 2O7, 1892.
The University of Michigan is stead
lily increasing in reputation and useful
ness. Already it ranks among the
foremost Of the great institutions of
learning in our country. The whole
number Of students educated there du-
ring the past year in the various de-
partments, is els. Its corps of pro-
tessOrs numbers 25 TO which it pro
poses to add one of Military Engineer
ing and Tactics. The Board of Re-
gents, however, indicate that this can
not be done unless the State will pro-
vide the means, the income of the Uni
versity being insufficient for that pur-
pose. The object is very important
one, and should be encouraged if the
State finances will permit. The in
crease during the year, from all sour
ces, is SAT 1894 80.
The State Normal School is still
very successful. The number of stu
dents in attendance during the past
year was as follows:
In the Normal department.. .4O7
In the Model School, ....... sc
The Board of Instruction consists of
eight male and three female teachers.
The expenses for the year have been
about sll, 200.
1t seems a necessity that some addi-
ton should be made to the public build
ings at this Capitol. 1t would be ex-
ceedingly desirable five could at once
commence entirely new buildings suit
ed to the present wants of the State, as
the old ones are not. That, however,
is not to be thought of in the present
condition OF affairs. The State Treas
urer and Auditor General are now
crowded into space quite too narrow
for the business required of them.
recommend that either some addition
be made to the present building, or
some other course be taken to relieve
them, as may seem to the Legislature
most advisable.
The military department, which be.
fore the war was regarded as of slight
Importance, and was generally dis.
missed in the Messages of Governors
with a paragraph, now demands the
principal place. To it. nearly all my
time and attention have been given for
the past two years, and to it they must
still be given. We are yet engaged as
actively as at the beginning, in raising
troops. The total number raised, anc
organized in the State since the begin
ming of tie war, is 1850. OF these
24,2sl were sent to the field befor,
July last; 9s7 (the Lancers,) were
disbanded before leaving the State
The quota of the State under calls 0
July last, was 1882. OF which there
have been raised as follows: 50
! Thirteen Regiments and a Battery, sent rzo
Recruits for old Regiments. since July 2. 2,162
Provost Guard, at Detroit Barracks, 10l
Estimated strength of Regiments yet re-
/, cruiting, 4,4Oo
! 2O,402
8 Remaining to be raised to fill the call, 2,970
f The State has now in the field TWEEN
J, ty-six regiments of infantry, one reg
! ment of Mechanics and Engineers, 81