Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1868-06-12
Written for the Chronicle.
Our Chicago Letter.

er the trainers of our free school system
ever intended the course CONSTRUCTION to
become so comprehensive and extended as
that which is now generally adopted, or
the buildings to be so large and elegant as
those at present used for public schools.
There are many who maintain-and your
correspondent thinks, not without some
reason-that the elementary branches Of
a common, every day education, are all the
general public should be taxed for; and
] that these branches can be better and
more cheaply taught in large number oil
small schools, scattered throughout each
neighborhood, Il an in a small number Of
large ones situat ] at remote points. But
such is not the prevailing opinion nova
days. Each city vies with its neishbor as
to the elegance of its educational struet-
ures and the completeness OF its INSTRUCT
i've courses. % or
In this as in other respects, Chicago is
not far behind her sisters; but on the
contrary. has established a free educational
system of which her citizens are extremely
proud, which eastern cities are already i'm
itating, and which, it is claimed, win soon
be the most complete in.the United States
She pays $370,000 a year to teachers, and
the whole expense Of her public schools is
not less than 100000. This does not in
clude new buildings, repairs, and interest
upon property, which are now about as
much more, but is merely the running ex-
pense of the system. The salaries paid
range from $500 to $4,000. The latter is
received by the general Superintendent,
and the former by the female assistants.
The principal Of the high school receives
50 500, his male assistants $4,000, and fe-
male assistants $1,000. The male princi
pals of district schools receive $4,000, and
the female principals $1,000. There are
800 teachers employed at present, and the
Board of Education think that by 1869 the
number needed will be 400. The number
Of children enrolled on the school books is
22,49l, and the average attendance is $l9-
927.
The school property of the city-and it
does not own all used for such purposes,
is worth more than 81 100000, the princi-
pal buildings costing from $4,000 to $780,
600 each. Among the most elegant and
complete are the High School, Wells, New
berry, Skinner, Carpenter and Holden
Schools. SEE
Speaking of Chicago's public schools
very naturally sets one to thinking of the
late Stephen A. Douglas, who did SO much
for them. Wednesday was the seventh
anniversary of his death, and on that day
his remains were removed from the spot
where they have SO long rested to the sar-
cophagus of the monument being erected
to his memory. Most persons who have
visited Chicago since his death are familiar
with the place, for few think of coming
here without visiting it. Situated about
four miles from the heart of the city, yet
within easy reach by the street cars and
railroads, thousands make pilgrimages to
it weekly, and on Sunday, when the
weather is fair, there is never less than
one or two thousand visitors. A small
mound in the middle of small square en-
closure, guarded by plain brown railing,
sadly married by the pen knives of those
who wished to carry away some memento
of the departed. This is situated upon e
small, bare, bleak spot of rolling ground,
the lake dashing its waves against the
shore not hundred feet distant and FREE
quent believing trains passing midway be-
tween. On the south the Soldiers Home
building, to the west the house Of the SEN
ator, now owned by the well known seulp-
tor and secretary of the Douglas Monu-
ment Association, L. w. Volk, Esq, to
the north naught but trees and distant
view of sthe city across the lake, and on
the east the lake. These make up the sal
lent points of the picture, which has so
often impressed itselfupon so many minds.
On Wednesday, many thousands were
present to witness the ceremonies of re-
lnoval, and obtain last view Of the dis
tinguished senators features The remains
were in remarkable state of preservation,
and looked as natural as when first placed
in the coffin. The services consisted of
prayers and singing The students of the
Baptist Theological Seminary, which owes
its existenc to Douglas liberality, acted
as guard of o lor, and Stephen A. Doug
las, IT., was the chief mourner. After be-
ing placed in the sarcophagus the public
were allowed to view the remains, and very
many improved the opportunity, especially
ladies, who brought beautiful floral offer
Jugs to deck his coffin.
There has been large gathering OF
rail road men during the week, represent
ing the Northwestern and Rock Island and
Pacific railroads. Other railroad men
were COOKERS on in Venice" and it is said
that one hundred million dollars was the
total amount represented. Mr.. Keep sue
cseds Mr.Ogden as President of the North
we stern, AMI there are several changes in
the Boz I'd of Direct r. The difficulties OF
the Rock Island and Pacific have been
compromised, and the road is to be com
pleted to Omaha.
| In the trotting race for $4,000, on
Thursday, between Bashaw, .jr., and Rock
| ey, to wagon, the former was the winner
in 2:30. Considering the condition of the
track, which was very heavy, the time was
remarkably good, another match between
the two horses, to harness, is to take place
as soon as we have "spell of weather."
| Yesterday afternoon an infant child of
some Irish persons named Fahay, was
killed by its parents in drunken brawl
| While both persons were under the inhu-
ence Of liquor, the husband made an attack
upon the wife (who had the babe in her
arms, with butcher knife, and the blow
intended for her was received by the child
resulting in its death.
BLUE j. HAwKER.
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WHAT TO REAp.--Are you deficient in
taste? Read the best English poets, such