Arizona citizen., 1873-01-11


 the infant Territories and advance the best interests of the whole country.
 By an act of Congress, the sixteenth and thirtv-sixth sections of land are reserved from pre-emptl0n and sale, and donated To the several States and Territories for school purposes; and by the act If July2, 1862, an amount of land equal to 30,000 acres for each senator and representative iii Congress, is granted to the several States for the benefit of agricultural colleges and the mechanic arts. 1 would suggest, tor your consideration, the propriety of asking such legislation by Congress as will allow these lands to be sold and the proceeds invested in govern ment bonds, the interest on which to be applied to the support of schools ill the Territory.
 The subject of compulsory education has been and is ugitated throughout the country. Some of the States have adopted it and others will no doubt do likewise. In our own Territory, numbers of children live ill isolated localities or in towns where sufficient school room is not yet provided for all, hence this policy cannot be justly and successfully adopted; but l am decid- edly in favor when ample school ac- commodations are provided for all, that at least three months schooling be given each year to every child of sound mind and suitable age. It should however be left optional with parents to choose between public and private schools.
 In republican government, based nnnn the consent of the governed. lH.ra is no surety of the perpetuIty of it- institutions. unless the people are sufficiently intelligent to be capable of self-government, and therefore tais Is 8 question that tLe government cannot safely ignore, any more than a government sustained by standing armies can afford to neglect it's mili- tary organization ana discipline.
 Our present school law is ambigu- ous and conflicting ill many of it's provisions. Much inconvenience has been experienced by those intrusted with its execution ill consequence thereof. It has frequently become necessary to study the intention of the law makers, and enforce it accnrd- mgly with Q due regard t0 justice and the best interest of the school system. rather than follow the strict letter of the law The school uperintendents of the several counties have labored with zaal and fidelity to successfully promote the free school system, and they have been euergeticaily support ed Dy the citizens ot their respective counties and although as above stat ed, the strict letter of the law could not upon all occasions be observed, still have not heard of single com plaint that justice and fairness to all have not been given. A careful re- vision of this law is one of your espe- cial duties.
 TERRITORIAL FINANCES.
 As exhibited by the reports of the auditor and treasurer which will ho laid before you with their respective statements, the Territory's financial condition Is ii 8 high degree eucourag- ing. The amount of cash on hand, January I2, 1871, was $4,I50 94; and the receipts into the general fund from all sources up to Decent Der 31, 1872, amounted to $33, 722 6I, making Q total of $37,S73 55. The disburse- ments to December 31, 1872, were $21,659 69, leaving balance in the general fund of $16,213 S6.
 The total receipts into the school fund were $3, 436 S2, and the disburse- ments amount to $2.O3O 3l, leaving an unexpended balance therein of s1, ,4O6 51, and grand total in the Territorial treasury over all indebted ness of $17,620 37.
 The board of supervisors of Yavapai county having extended the time for the collection of taxes in that county to January 1, 1873, but 8 small por- ton of the funds due therefrom have been received, and the amount due from Mohave county is not yet paid in. | The sums due from these counties, added to the funds in the treasury, will probably increase the grand total | on hand to $2O,00O.
 In view of the disturbed condition of |