The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1868-01-16


NAL school land, and 9, $50 acres agricul
tural college land.
LAWS.
I / feel it my duty to call attention to the
condition of our statutes and the inper
atiye necessity for their speedy codifca-
ton or revision. They have been amend
ed with such frequency as to render il
impossible at this time to ascertain with
out long and laborous research, the law
in force upon any given subject. The diff
ficulties thus presented to all who have
occasion to consult the statutes are ex-
ceedingly annoying and burdensome.
The index of all amendments, for the
publication of which provision is made
by joint resolution number IL, 1861, will
be Of very great service, but Irecommend
/ that yon provide for the complete and
immediate revision of the statutes, unless
you are of the opinion that constitutions
al convention will be shortly called.
[ have therefore very freely expressed
my opinion regarding special legislation,
and yet can not refrain from reiteratlng
Fthc belief that it is great and growing
evil. which calls for a check atyour hands.
Our volumes of private and local laws
have become monuments Of Legislative
folly, and it is not AT, all strange that the
people complain of the time and money
spent by the legislature each year in grant
ing reiief 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 Individually
interested should be compelled to seek
rehef In the mode pointed out by the
statutes. In addition to the objections
indicated, [ fully believe that much OF
the legislation relating to private charters
/ is an evasion of section one of article
eleven Of the state constitution. I trust
you will inaugurate reform III this oil
rection, and will leave to the courts and
boards OF supervisors all matters coming
within their jurisdiction. Should you
do this, | am confident that, while inter
ested individuals may decry the improve
ment, the people will receive it with en-
tire satisfaction.
EDUCATIONAL.
| The promptness and cheerfulness with
which the people respond to every de
nand made by the educational interests
of the state upon both purse and sympa
thy, Is a source Of qualification to all who
have at heart the permanent we'll being
of an enlightened public opinion, and the
thorough belief that such can be obtained
only by means of popular education,
augur well for the ultimate success Of
both state and nation. The untiring en-
ergy OF our educational men, with the
hearty co operation of the people, have
laid the 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
the Superintendent of Public instruction
shows that
The nu,aber of children in the state between and %
years is 81 Os3
Number who have attended public school du-
ring the past year 239 ol5
Number of teachers required 5,oo9
Number of schools visited by county school
| supcrinteudents- 4223
! Average number of days each attended school ~
Total value 81 school houses and sites 1922 725
Total .niouht paid for school purposes 1,So3,37S
| The increase in expenditure for school
purposes is nearly $500, 900 in excess of
any past year. | am pleased to note
another increase in the remuneration OF
teachers The mission to which the
teachers Of the land have dedicated them
selves is a noble, and, in very MANY in
stances, a sacrificing one, and they
should be well and generously repaid.
! | have deemed it my duty, as it certain
| ly was my pleasure, during the past year,
to extend to the various educational in
stitutions of the state such official atten-
| ton as other engagements would permit
"a duty which shall endeavor to dis
charge more thoroughly 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.
fofaJ pro1I,c fixn. fund 1rlc co
Receipts of the school fund income last
| fiscal year 165 O97 81
| Apportioned by the superintendent of
public instruction IO6619.7O
Alb, 1897 acres of school land remain
unsold.
The town organization of schools, re-
commended by the Superintendent seems
| to be we'll calculated to secure a more
efficient economical management of school
affairs, and, as it will render taxation for
cnducatlonal purposes more equitable,
provide for graduation of schools, and a
better system Of classification, commend
it to your favorable consideration.
The Normal School at Platteville con-
tinues in a prosperous condition, and the
school building is being greatly enlarged
to meet the wants of pupils. The build
ing, in process of erection at Whitewater,
will be completed early the coming spring,
when the school will be opened. The
Regents have resolved to establish Nor
NAL School in the city of Oshkosh as soon
as a building suitable for the purpose
can be erected.
Total productive normal school fund S662, ,T91 90
Receipts of the income fund last fiscal year SS.935 20
Amount Of iucome fund in the state
sury at the disposal of Regents, January
1st 1868 % 227 rs
The State University, freed by the just
| action OF the last legislature from any of
the pecuniary embarrassments which
have IN the past greatly retarted its pro-
gress, gives cheering evidence of renewed
life and vigor. and is now receiving, with
out stint, the confidence of the people,
so long withheld, and without which no
state university can be more than a par
tial success. The institution has been
filed to overhowing during portion of
the past year, and the Regents ask the
erection of an additional building for the
accommodation of students, which trust
VIII be granted as soon as practicable.
Wisconsin is rapidly growing la wealth
and resources, her common school system
Is one OF which she may we'll be proud,
and there Is no reason why her university
shoul1 be either an absolute or compare
tive failure. A liberal policy toward the
institution, alone, is essential to the ac-
compllshment of the great object sought
Such policy has, | rejoice TO say, al
ready been inaugurated, and | hope, for
the honor of the state, will be permanent
ly adopted. [ recommend that the Su-
perintendent of Public Instruction be
/ made by law an eU-obScio member OF the
Board of Regents That officer should
be officially connected with every state
educational board. OF the university
lands, 1891 acres, and of the agricultural
lands 223. 500 acres remain unsold. The
total productive fund belonging to the