Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1868-01-15

acres university land. ret,9Oi acres norma
school land. and 9,686 acres agriculture
college land @si.lB9 ua aaa -a0fs-t 80.
LAWS. t8# -sf@l
| feel It my duty to call attention tc
the condition of our statutes, and thu
imperative necessity for their speedy
codification or revision. They have beer
amended with such frequency as to ren
der it impossible at this time to ascertain
without long and laborious research, The
law in force, on any given subject. The
difficulties thus presented to all who have
occasion TO consult the statutes are ex
Heeedingly annoying and burdensome
The index of all amendments, for the
publication of which provision IS made by
joint resolution number II, 1867, will be
of very great service, but I recommend
that you provide for the complete and
immediate revision of the statutes, unless
you are Of the opinion that a constitu-
tionat convention will be shortly called
| Lave heretofore very freely expressed
my opinion regarding special legislation
and yet cannot refrain from reiterating
the belief that it is great and growing
evil, which calls for check at your
hands. Our volumes of private and local
laws have become monuments of legisla-
tive folly. and it is not at all strange that
the people complain of the time and
money spent BY the legislature each year
In granting relief for which adequate
provision has been made by general laws.
This class of Legislation is not desired by
the mass of the people, and those indi-
viduaily interested should be compell d
to seek relief in the mode pointed out by
the statutes. In addition to the obiec
tions indicated, fully believe that much
OF the legislation relating to private char
ters is an evasion Of section one, of arti
Gle eleven of the state constitution. T
trust you will inaugurate reform in this
direction. and will leave to the courts and
boards of supervisors all matters coming
within their Jurisdiction. Should you do
this, [ am confident that, whileinterested.
individuals may decry the Improvement,
the people will receive it with entire sat
isfaction. s7
i1 -~ EDUCATIONAL: ET9Y8*'
= The promptness and cheerfulness with
which the people respond to- every de. 1
mand made by the educational interests
of the state upon both purse md sym
pathy, is a source of qualification to all
who have at heart the permanent well
ho;nc &c orr Ioo,,, ~, y :, 4,L Il
most universal appreciation of the 7alne
Of an enlightened public opinion and the
thorough belief that such can only be OBJ
tanned by means of popular education,
augur we'll for the ultimate succ ss of
both state aud nation. The untiring en-
ergy of our educational men, with the
hearty cooperation of the people, have.
laid tile foundations broad and deep, and
Wisconsin, will soon be leader, instead
Of a follower, in all matters pertaining to
schools and colleges The able report of
he Superintendent of Public Instruction
shows that ~ 1si i:is1f8s as5a aE@G III
The number Of children in the State '- a.9e
between and 20 years is........--.... 37l,0s3
Number who have attended public a-isa4I
school during the past year.........~r 239 945
Number of teachers required......... 5O59
Number of schools visited by county
superintendents 49,. =. . ..~....asa 4,22a
Average number OF days each at
tended school. ............-wa III
Total value of scRool houses and
,522, 726
Total amount paid for school pur- i---..
poses " .a-...-.:.'. - - - 49,. 1903, 377
The increase in expenditure for school
purposes is nearly one half million OF dol
ars in excess Of any past year. l am
pleased to note another incr ase in the
Of teachers. The mission
to which the teachers of the land have
dedicated themselves is Il noble, and, in
very many instances, a selfsacrifcing one,
ana they should be we'll aud generously
repaid. -s'-. 2''5 g a'@-
[ have deemed it my duty, as it Ger
sainly was my pleasure, during the past
year, to extend to the various educational
institutions of the state such official at
bention as other engagements would per-
mit-a duty which [ shall endeavor to
discharge more thorou ghly in the future.
All seemed animated by noble spirit
and strength which will in the end con-
quer any and all obstacles which may
confront them. 1859 "aiF.a 3sitaa
The total productive school - @ .ss e
q fund Observation-Disclosures. 2,o9e, ,ao7 60
Recipients of the school fund
income last fiscal year...... l65, 097 81
by the superin-
tendcnt Of public instruc-
ton. .. ...... 4a 16e,6l9 10
4413, ,397 acres of school land remain
unsold. aa-i .arZ 7of 1g5 zszsf.-- e..H ..Ts7
The town organization of schools, re-
commended by the Superintendent seems
to be we'll calculated to secure more
efficient and economical management of
school affairs, and, as it will reuder taxa
tion for educational purposes more equit-
ably, provide for g graduation of schools,
apd a bnttnr cuctap, of iffoafiop- |