Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1874-01-22

and it is my deliberate conviction that
public expense is increased, the OPP.
portunity for fraud favored, and full
and fair expression of public opinion
restrained, in the more populous dis
tricts, by the brevity of time now AL.
lowed for depositing votes and record.
ing the names OF electors.
EDUCATION.
| congratulate you upon the pro-
gress of our educational institutions,
public and private. 1t is conceded
that upon the wide and thorough diff
fusion of knowledge depends, in a
great degree, the happiness of our
people aud the preservation of our
liberal system of government. T.
| this end, both the nation and the State
have made provision for generous aid
from the pub ic property, and | be
| speak conscientious guardianship OF
the trust committed to your hands.
Whether the results righttully to be
expected from the extensive resources
at the command of the State have
been fully attained, Is . legitimate
subject of inquiry and d scussion. A
frequent comparison of the facilities
afforded for instruction. in this and
neighboring Stat 8, an1 of the cost at
which those facilities were secured
would doubtless prove profitable and
tend to induce sull greater progress
aud economy. For nothing are the
people N ore willing nor can they bet
ter afford to give literally of their sub
stance, than for purposes of education,
If they are only assured that the means
contributed will be wisely and econo-
mcaIly used. Of our public school
system in this State, we have reason
to be proud, but it is yet far from be-
ing perfect, and comes far short Of
what it may be made. The common
schools are doing an Indispensable
work. The Normal Schools, now or
gained, are accomplishing all that is
at present required of them. and doing
it efficiently The State University is
rapidly growing in popular favor and
is taking rank among the first educa-
:ioDal institutions of the country.
While all this is true it is yet clear that
there is a want of perfect graduation
from the common schools to the Uai-
versity, which last should stand as the
"crowning head of the system
Whether the missing link, or links,
are to be supplied through the agency
of county academies or of the Nor
NAL Schools, or of both is a question
which is forcing itself upon the atten
ton of the people of the State and is
well worthy of your earnest attention
l shall be happy to concur in any
appropriate Legislation tending 70 more
perfectly unity the public school sys
TEN of the State
CENTENNIAL EXPOSITION,
In 1876, one hundred years will
have elapsed since the Declaration of
A merican Independence Congress,
by an act approved March 3, 1871.
m ade provision for duly celebrating
the Tooth Anniversary, by holding, in
the city of Philadelphia, an "Interna-
tional Exhibition Of Arts, Manufacture
es and products of the soil and Nine"
in which will be represented "the ma
tural resources of the country and their
development, and its progress in those
arts which benefit mankind, in COM
parison NTH those of older nations
The act provided for the appointment,
by the President, in each State and
territory, of one Commissioner and
one alternate Commissioner, TO carry
out the objects of this law. This
Centennial Commission was organized
on the 4th of March, 1872 and has
held several meetings and made con-
slderal progress with the work com
mitted to its charge. 1t has decided
that the exposition shall continue for
six months, commencing the 19 day
of April, and ending on the 18th day
of October, 1876 The plans for the
buildings have been adopted On the
4th Of July last. the President Of the
Uni ed States issued proclamation,
announcing this national celebration,
and commenting it to the people of
this country and to those of all nations
Several responses from fol eign nations
have already been received, signifying
their intention to be represented. 1t
seems fitting that such a celebration
Of this important event should be held,
and it is hoped it will be carried out
in a manner worthy of great and IN
lightened nation.
Wisconsin should not be less inter-
ested in this matter than her sister
States. She has vast resources that
should be represented The Centen-
NAL Commission has indicated,
through circulars sent to the Execu
tive office, that the greatest success IN
this work will be attained through
State Boards of Managers, appointed
by State authority, each to be compos
ed of men thoroughly familiar with
the capabilities of the State it repre-
sents; and responsible for the Exhlbi-
ton made under its direction. 1t will
have to care for the interests of its
own State, and of its citizens in all
matters relating to the Exposition.
Such Board Of Managers would seem
well calcu ated to effect the object in
view and the subject of providing for
its appointment is respectfully submit
ted to The careful consideration of the
Legislature.
FREE PASSES.
| recommend the enactment of
law forbidding che acceptance or use
of free passes, or any other gift, inn
munity or compensation, by any
State officer, from any railroad or
other public corporation, existing IN
der tbe laws of this State. With
the abolition Of free passes, and
weekly adjournmen.s from Friday to
Monday night, may not the average
session be shortened fully thirty
days?
CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS.