The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1874-01-24

dispensable work. The Normal School, now
orgau lied, are accomplishing all that Is at
present required of them, and dong 1t efh-
GENTLY The State University is rapidly
growing in popular favor and is taking rank
among the first educational institutions OF
the country While all this is true, it is yet
clear that there is want of perfect graduation
from the common schools to the University,
which last should stand as the " browning
head of the system. Whether the " missing
link" or links are to be supplied through the
agency of county academies or OF the Normal
Schools, or of BOTH is a question which is
forcing itself upon the attention OF the PEG.
pie of the State, and is well worthy OF your
earnest attention.
| shall be happy to concur in any appropri-
ate legislation tending to more perfectly unity
the public school system of the State.
CENTENNIAL EXPOSITION.
In 1876, one hundred years will have elapsed
since the Declaration of American Independ'
ence. Congress, by an act approved March 3,
1871, made provision for duly celebrating the
Tooth anniversary, by holding, in the city
of Philadelphia, an : International Exhibition
of Arts, Manufactures, aud Products OF the
Soil and Nine" in which will be represented
"the natural resources of the country and
their development, and it's progress in those
arts which benefit mankind, Ill comparison
with those of older ma ions" The act provid-
ed 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 Com
mission was organized on the 4th of March,
1872, and has held several meetings and made
considerable progress with the work commit
ted to its charge. 1t has decided that the Elk
position shall continue for six months, COM
mencing CD the 18th day Of April, and ending
on the 10Th day of October, 1876. The plans
for the buildings have been adopted. On the
of 1u1y jaS he of tod
States issued a proclamation announcing this
national celebration, and commanding it to
the people OF this country and to those of all
nations. Several responses from foreign ma
tons have already been received, signifying
their intention to be represented. II seems fit
ting that such a celebration OF this important
event should be held, and it is hoped it W Il
be carried out in manner worthy of great
and enlightene nation.
Wisconsin should not be less interested in
his matter than her sister States. She has
vast resources that should be represented
The Centennial Commission has indicated
through circulars sent to the Executive office
that the greatest success In this W DIRK will be
attained through State Boards of Managers
appointed by State authority, each to be com
posed Of men thoroughly familiar with the
capabilities of the State it represents. and re-
sponsIble for the Exhibition made under it,
direction. 1t will have to care for the inter
ests of its own State, and Of It's citzons in al
matters relating to the Exposition Such
Board of Managers would seem well calculat
ed to effect the object in view aud the sub
ject OF providing for It's appointment is re
specially submitted 10 the careful considera
ton OF the Legislature.
FREE PASSES.
recommend the enactment of a law for
bidding the acceptance or use of free
passes, or any other gift, immuui
ty or compensation, by any state off
Ger, from any railroad or other publ,
corporation existing under the laws Of thi.
state. With the abolition of free passes anC
weekly adjournments from Friday to Monday
night, may not the average session be short
ened fully thirty days b?
CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS
I commend TO your continued sympathy anc
care those unfortunate persons whom thu
custom of civilized nations aud the dictates
OF humanity have made public charge. The
general duty Of the state in this respect |,
clear and well-defined, under existing laws
The provision already made and the capita
already invested in this direction are of mu
nlhcent proportions, and afford creditabIt
proof of the noble impulses of our people
The sum dlsbursed for these purposes during
the past wear, including an item of S45 $50 4
for the State Prison, exceeded half a million
dolla- s, or near one-half the total receipt.
into the general fund, and considerable bal
ance OF past appropriations yet 1e
main unexpended material modif
cation OF the amount OF these
expenditures, hereafter probably Will be
found consistent with bountifU
charity. The adaptation Of means t.
ends III this departments demands more
than ordinary prudence and caution. The
good accomplished is to be meas
ured by the actual blessings conferred. rathe,
than by the size of the buildings erected, OF
hy the magnitude of the appropriations paiC
from the treasury. Any derelctIon of duty
IN this department is not merely an offense
against the public, but a robbery of the Door
and helpless, for which there can be no usti-
ticstion. A general supervision Of the man
agement of these institutions is now mainly
exercised by State Board OF Charities While
| am constrained to say that this agency has
not.wholly met, bus far, the expectations ofthe
people, am not quite prepaid TO recommend
its dlscontlnuance. The amount already in
vested in our charitable institutions and .be
heavy annual appropriations actually neces-
sary for tneIr maintenance, warrant the lecis,
lature IN creating or retaining any agencies
which are calculated to secure the greatest
wisdom aud economy IN the use OF these dis
bursements. My own observation has led me
to believe that the want of power to act, to in.
vestlgate and correct abuses, and OF a more
definite responsibility, is the chief cause Of
the Ineificlencv Of this Board as now organ.
ized. respectfully submit this subject fol
your careful consideration.
THE STATE PRISON.
The management of the state prison. espe
clally demands your scrutiny, Contrary tc
the experience OF many OF the most enlIcht.
ened states of the Union, the punishment ot
our criminals Is a source of continued deple.
ton to the public treasury The criminals
confined III this institution are mostly able.
bodied males, IN the prime Of life, capable OF
earning much more than the average Of men
and the fact is incOmprehensible that they
should prove perpetual burden upon the tax
payers, L can see no good reason why this in.
stItn1lon, under proper management shoud
not be made nearly or quite self-sustalnino
when tle penltentiaries OF SO MANY states m
the Union are source Of revenue to the pub.
lie treasury. it is Claimed by those who have
made careful comparison OF the statistics
that me inmates OF our state pfis cost us
more per capita, than do the inmates Of anv al
the charitable institutions of the state. Fo,
this condition of things there seems to he
neither justification nor excuse. The coptin.
uance of an enlightened policy toward the
prisoners, looking to the protection of society
rather than to malicious punishment of the
guilty, VIII not tend to reard that reform in
this direction which is now so lmperativel,
demanded.
TEMPERANCE LAW.
Our government was wisely instituted TO,
the protection OF society, and is not an appro.
pirate instrumentall.y for the dissemination
OF religious doctrine or fer the definition and
enforcement of private morality. Our state
constitution clearly recognizes personal lib
eIty as among the inherent rights of man, and
the obligations imposed upon us in this re-
gard characterize all free government
wherever instituted. The precise line of d.
vision between the freedom of the individual
and the rights of soci, ty may sometimes be
difficult of definition. But the general .e-
strlctlons upon the exercise of legislative
power in this direction are not the less posi.
tive and obligatory. The natural inclination
Of all classes of people is to invoke the power
OF the government as a remedy for all evils.
real or imaginary, and the greatest danger
lies IN the direction of too liberal concessions
10 AbaSa p1a Tho,o