Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1872-01-19

fully confirms the opinion of num-
erous competent judges that the
courses of study; the learning, ex-
perience, fidelity and zeal of the in
structors; the proficiency in schol-
arship and the orderly conduct Of
the students; tho controlling idea
and general plan Of the University;
its adaptation to the general wants
of the people, and its progressive
character, entitle it to a high rank
among the institutions of its class
in the northwestern part Of our
country. The reports Of the Board
of Regents, and the President Of
the University, contain full and
detailed account of its affairs, and
will afford information that will en-
able you to judge for yourselves
concerning its whole organization,
the facilities it offers for the high
est mental culture, and the extent
to which thosoafacilities are availed
of, by the youth of our own and
other States. earnestly recon-
mend that you give these reports a
thorough examination, and am con-
fident that you will be convinced
by them Of the wisdom of securing
the continued prosperity and en-
largement of the University, by a
liberal appropriation for it's sup
port during the next two years. I
would also recommend the passage
Of a bill, providing, from the rev.
enue Of the State, a permanent in
come for this great and important
institution of learning; so that the
Regents and Faculty my be able to
carrSout every reasonable plan for
its Improvement in all its depart
ments and interests, free from the
embarrassments arising from the
uncertainty of biennial appropria-
tions.
Soon after the last meeting of the
General Assembly, Rev. DR.. Black
closed his short but successful ca
reer as President of the University.
The Board Of Regents was fortun-
ate in securing for his successor a
citizen Of our own State, of great
worth and eminent ability, who en-
tered upon his duties at the close
of the last year of the University.
PERMANENT SCHOOL FUND.
The indebtedness of the generaI
revenue to the school fund has in.
creased during the fiscal term $s,.
55s.l4 being the amount of loss
audited in said fund in the several
counties Of the State. The whole
amount now held by the general re-
venue is $243,o56.l5, earning for
the fund eight per cent. per annum.
The first named sum, the constitu.
tion requires, must remain a perma.
nent charge against the State; and
believe such should be the case
with this entire Indebtedness to the
school fund, decming it to be the
best investment of the same that
can be made. The gross amount OF
the fund is So, l6l ,4s3.Ol, an in.
crease of S22S,s56.97 since the re.
port Of 1869. The income derived
from this fund during the past two
years and apportioned among the
counties, amounts to $464, ,467. .3s, OF
about l54 per cent. Of the fund.
During the past two years, with
the advice and consent of the Cen.
sus Board, under Chapter 80, Acts
Ninth General Assembly, / dispos.
ed Of 21s.l3 acres in Decatur and
Polk counties, tor $3,l4l.3O, aver
aging $l4.4O per acre; and three
lots in the city of Kcokuk, for the
sum of $l,lOO. These lands and
lots were part Of the securities
for the Eads loan. The constitu
tion of the State provides that call
losses to the Permanent School or
University Fund Of this State
which shall have been occasioned
by the defalcation, mismanagemen'
or fraud of the agents or officers
controlling and managing the same
shall be audited by the proper au'
thorities ofthe State" Under this
provision, as before stated, the sum
of $s,55s.l4 has been funded on &C
count of losses since the adoption
of the present constitution. A
question has arisen whether this
provision is intended to include de-
falcations happening under the
former constitution of the State
The language may be so construed
yet it is not without doubt. If in
the opinion of the General Assem-
bly, it may be constitutionally done
l would recommend that all losses
to the fund since the admission Of
the State, be assumed by the State
aud interest paid thereon. And
here would suggest that the rate
of interest paid by the State upon
this class of debt be increased to
ten per cent. The law now pro
vides that money loaned to private
parties from this fund since July
Sd, 1870, shall draw that rate, and
has always required it upon notes
given for purchase of school lands,
| THE LIBRARY.
The report of this officer shows
an increase in the number Of vol
umes in the library of about 1000,
comprising a very full collection Of
English, Scotch, and other law re-
ports, as well as valuable treatiscs
and textbooks. / recommend tha,
the fees received for notarial com
missions and for commissioners, be
appropriated for the support, i'm
provement and enlargement Of the
library. l would also recommend
that the law in reference to the Ii
brary be revised, and a reasonable
compensation allowed the libra.
rian.
On the 9th day of September last
the Librarian, John Carpenter Mer'
rill, departed this life, after a short
illness. He was young man oI
much promise, of great energy and
of high integrity. Combined with
these traits, his knowledge of books
and love of order made him emf
nently utefal in the Office entrusted
to him. He re-arranged and thor
oughly systematized the library
MAKING II a model of order and neaf