The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1870-02-25
FROM MADISON.

MADISON, WIS, Feb. Ii, 1870.
Your correspondent had the oppor-
tunity of spending one day of the last
week in January in visiting the Legis-
lature and the several State Offices and
officers in Kansas. Then by rapid and
comfortable transit by way of the Han
lington & Quincy roads, but two days
interviewed until the like opportunities
were offered in Wisconsin.
While at Topeka ] had an opportun-
ity to listen to debate upon a bill for
enfranchising those who had been dis
franchised in consequence of having
been engaged in the late rebellion. The
views expressed by some members, who
Gas was informed) had been among the
most ardent supporters of the cause of
the Union, seemed to be extremely len
lent toward their erring brothers.
In the Wisconsin Legislature, the most
important bill under discussion was one
which relates to a return to township
and ward representation in the board
for the transaction of county business, in
place of the present board of five COM
missioners or supervisors, who are now,
and for several years have been entrust-
ed with the transaction of county bust
ness, and which they have usually ac-
complished in a satisfactory manner.
Although the present plan has been
most commended, chiefly on account of
being the most satisfactory and econom-
ical, the bill for the more numerous
board seems quite likely to be adopted.
By this plan, the Board of Supervisors
of this county will become about one
third as large in number of members as
both branches of the State Legislature,
which many regard as too large to best
promote the public interests.
have recently observed in report of
proceedings of the Kansas Legislature,
the mention of q resolution for the con-
solidation of the various boards for the
management of the several State char
liable and reformatory institutions, and
1t seemed to me that the contamination
of this was very much to be desired.
That such consolidation will be likely to
result in more uniform, and consequent
ly in better management than can rea-
sonably be expected when these boards
act independent of each other, seems to
be almost certain, and consequently well
worthy of trial.
If the consolidation of these boards
will better promote the interests ofthese
institutions, it seems also apparent that
the various educational interests of the
State, including the management of the
common schools, the State Normal
School, the Agricultural College, and
the State University, may derive equal,
If not greater advantages from a like
consolidation.
In the educational institutions the
benefits conferred will not be chiefly
found in the business management or
the management of the property belong
ing to them, but in securing the most
judicious and uniform arrangement OF
studies, and the best means and methods
for imparting instruction throughout
the various. grades.
In order that these advantages may be
realized, it seems to be required that the
whole range of educational interests of
the State, or those which are managed
by the State, throughout the various
grades and departments be entrusted to
one board, for their general manage
ment, and that care be taken to place
such persons upon the board as are ia
miliar with all grades of schools, from
those which are conducted in the most
obscure places in the State, to the highest
grade in the University-or in other
words, throughout the grades of insti-
tutions for which the State has made
provision.
It is not to be expected that the claim
ed qualifications will be pressed by any
one man, but that the selection be so
made that the several grades may be
equally represented, seems to be most
desirable. c. b. C.