Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1867-01-19

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its condition, showing that the conyicts
under his charge have earned by their
labor,
In making permanent improvements du.
In tbs fiscal year.. $50 $50 90
Increase of supplies and materials during
The year s.........+......-... 80. 1855 81
Total credits. .-.....................S 3s OO6 u
Amount expended for support Of he
PsiSoh ''',-.'.-.........'.-.... sSs.26S as
Total cost to the state during the fis-
cal year..---.-..-.----.-.-.. ..-.-.$l,256 SO
By comparison with the reports of
other prisons, he shows that none in
the country are so near self-supporting.
Valuable suggestions are made by him
aB TO the future management of the
convlcts, when all permanent improve
ments are finished, In order that the
prison may not be heavy burden to
the state. The walls of the north wing
are nearly completed, the work having
been done by the convicts. If this
wing Is to be completed this year, the
commissioner asks an appropriation of
$50, 100000 for the payment of current
expenses. l am of the opinion that the
new wing should certainly be rooted. -
Whether it will be good policy to finish
the building this year or not, can be
better decided by your committee when
1t makes the annual inspection of the
prison.
Number of convicis. Sept 50. 1865. ........... 81
do received during the year. ............ las
do discharged do do .......... %
do confined. Sept 30, 1s65.....-.......... I69
Increase during the year............-......-- "
quote statement from the report
which should interest all who have the
care of children
cit is a remarkable fact which de-
serves the consideration OF parents and
guardians, that of the 229 convicts COM
mitted during the past three years, only
four per cent. could be called skilfuii
mechanics, while not more than ten per
cent. knew the first rudiments of
trade"
The want of steady employment,
which every one familiar with n trade
can always command, and the use of
| Intoxicating liquors, are undoubtedly
the two most prolific sources of crime
in this country.
COMMON SCHOOLS.
One of the most important and interesting
reports which Is yearly submitted to the leg
islature, Ia that of the Superintendent of PUB
lie Instruction. Ia this age of intellectual
improvement, Ii is admitted by all that no
one thing conduces more to national security
and prosperity than the education of the
masses. While this is uudeniably true in its
application to governments in general, it is
recognized as a fundamental axiom ia the pe-
cuhar-One under which We live, and as such,
1t is the first duty of our Legislators to en-
courage and foster popular edecutiOn. Dur
ing this struggle through which We have just
passed, the colleges and common schools of
Ill.
tiOnal strength, and it may be truthfully as
serted, that opposition to the government,
not clearly traceabe to intelligent maignity,
has for the most part been based upon the
ignorance of the masses.
l concur fully in the valuable snggesti ions
made by the superintendent, especially those
relating to irregular attendance upon schools,
and the importance of state aid in the estab-
lishment OF school Libraries. L note with
pleasure that the services of our teachers are
becoming more highly appreciated and that
during the past year tins has resulted in
slightly incre asing their remuneration. This
is step in the right direction.
The number of children in the state
between the ages OF four and twenty. 352,005
Increase during Is i6 .....-...-...-... 12,95O
Number attending pubic schools. 234 ,Z65
Increase during 1866 ..........-.....-. ll,lg6
Number OF teachers employed ....... 1879
The whole amount expended by the
schools was ...................... 81, l9O 2S9 10
Increase during 1866 l3j, 1877 "
close Of the fiscal yesr was -. s., l4I.s 500 II
amounted to..............-......... 29,41244
Being for sales Of land. dues, loans paid,
taxes, &c. The disbursements were:
To counties, taxes collected. ......... 22,82T A.
Invested in Wisconsin securities. 1898 200 90
Transferred to other funds and refund
d..s..s.---.--.--.....-. --..-..,. 800 -
Total. -....-....s.....-. S4zu,osU ~
Balance in fund Sept. 80, 1S65...... $IO,465 O6
Leaving the fund Oyerdrawn, by reason
of large Investments in Wis n bonds $50, 7O3 60
The amount of land belonging to the fund
is 463, 1888 acres.
The interest accruing from the school fdnd, e
together with twenty-five per cent. OF q r
Normal School fund income, constitutesthe
school fund income, the receipts OF which
during the fiscal year were:
Interest Sl656s9 q
Transferred from other funds........ l4,S04 81
Fines. sales Of dictionaries, timber.
and refunded. .....-.--,. .-...s--- l'oo0 20
sls2.l1s GA
The disbursements were Us follows:
AppOrtiOned by the state Supsrint'nt. $l52,56 30
Clerks IN land department, ........... S,l97 04
Transferred to other fun1s, and re-
funded -..........-............ I4,l1435
Advertising, printing. protecting lands,
and attorneys fees .-.........-....-. 5.l7I 30
sisO.O49 rs
NORMAL SCHOOLS.