The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1875-01-23

lister generously toshs: lief of the sick the friend
less and the poor, and IL lis serve in important
degree to tighten the burdens OF the public |
know OF no reason why any oreanized effort of this
kind so manifestly consistent with the better in
suncts OF the human heart, should be denied on
merely technical grounds the bare pttance hitherto
granted by way of encouragement and support
With due care to avoid religious or local partiality
sincerely trust that policy clearly indicated
by the twofold considerations of profit aud human
ity will not be hastily rejected
THE STATE PRISON
The first annual report of the directors OF the
state prison deserves and will undoubtedly COM
mand more than ordinary attention. II appears
from this report that the internal affairs of the
prison the past year have been administered with
intelligence and fidelity, and that important i'm
proyements have been made for the purpose of
economising labor and decreasing expenditure
The recommendations OF the directors with refer
ence to a further reduction of the annual cost of
the prison commend themselves to your approval
suggest the proprlety OF further inquiry in con-
junction with the board of directors and the war
den, az 20 the possibility of more effectively utiIiz-
ing the labor of the prison, by partial or fetal
change in the character sf the work to which The
prisoners are assigned. Evidently the great amount
of raw material required III the class OF work now
engaged III at the prison, materially dimiulshes the
revenue which ought to be derived from the con-
Wet labor of the state. Under the circumstances
il seems to me apparent that the most profitable
product OF prison labor would be that the value OF
which mostly consists of the labor performed in its
production, rather than IN the cost OF transporta-
ton and the material used
RELIGIOUS PRIVILEGES.
Complaints made that portion of the in
mates of the Industrial School at Waukesha are de-
MED the religious freedom accorded in ether insti-
tons of this and other states If such bt the fact
the present statutes should be promptly amended in
such manner as to enforce in all our public ins-
tutlons full and undoubted compliance with the
letter and spirit of those wist provisions Of our
constitute which assert that ihe right to worship
God according to the dictates of conscience shall
never be infringed. This privilege is dear to
the inmates of our penal institutions to any 9TH
class of people, and is entitled to special guard-
anship in the case of children of tender age de-
prived of the wholesome influences of intelligent
home intercourse and parental protection.
THE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES.
The State of Wisconsin has never failed to re-
cognize agriculture the foundation of all our in
dustries, and the prime source of our material pros
perity. Without reasonable doubt, all the inter
ests of labor have been wisely promoted through
the agency of the state and county agricultural
cieties, partially organized and sustained by means
Of legislative aid Our mechanical and manufac-
turing interests largely participate in the bene lis
so conferred ana wholesome spirit of competition
and enterprise is promoted at tritling cost in COM
parison with the advantages derived from the eX-
penditure. The annual report of the Secretary of
the state Agricultural Society furnishes abundant
proof of the continued efficiency and utility of this
hcnefcent organization, and cordially recommend
the usual appropriation for the encouragement Of
this and the county associations the ensuing wear
The State Historical Society is steadily advancing
N its work Of collecting the materials of North
general library. 1t has published several volumes
Of history, and now numbers over sixty thousand
bound and unbound volumes i'll its library; being
thus early the third III importance among the his
tCrica societies of the United States.
The Wisconsin Academy OF Sciences, Arts and
Letters, also provided with rooms III the Capitol
has during the year published second volume Of
valuable scientific papers, and. embracing in its
membershipmany of the most learned men of the
state and country, it has already gained honoTa
bic rank among philosophical societies. and fairly
o
Both these institutions wei deserves continuance
of the fostering care of the state
PRINTING AND PUBLISHING.
The total amount paid from the general fund for
printing and publishing during the fiscal year end
ing September 30, 1873 was S95, 5l6.61. The total
amount paid for the purposes for the fiscal
year ending September 80, 1874, S85, 289.18. OF
this gum the amount OF $50 2I.02 was paid for
printing under contract which expired oil the LIST
of January instant, and $26,62l.3O for legislative
printing, and the advertisement OF laws in newspa-
pers of the state. Under the legislation Of last
winter new contract has been made for printing
done after the lst instant and material reduction
is anticipated. 1t is believed that this reduction
for the ensuing year, under the terms OF the
contracts for printing and paper, viii amour. TO ut
least $4,000.
The PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The faithful administration of the departrn OF
public instruction the past year furnishes q suffi-
Gent assurance OF due progress in cur common
schools. Important facts and suggestions are en-
bodied in the annual report of the superintendent
OF our children OF school age destitute OF the
benefits of education. Happily this assumption is
not fully justified y any statement OF facts, relja
bly, ascertalned. The school census of each year
shows the Attendance FOR the year only of all chill
dren between The ca four and twenty yenrs.
| suggest to you such al amendment of the exit
ing law as 20 dispense with all speculation to the
actual number OF children growing up i'll ignorance
by requiring at each school census hereafter an
OF the number of children of school
age who hs.ye never attended school, otherwise
acquired P knowledge CT the rudimentary studies
taught III the public schools. Statistics thus cheap
ly obtained would prove valuable data for future
THE STATE UNIVERSITY.
The trainers of our constitution wisely enacted
that 4" provision should be made by law for the es-
tabishlneut of q state university at or near the
seat of state government and for connecting with
the same from time to time, such colleges III the
different parts of the state The interests OF edu-
cation may require" And our constitution further
more provides that the proceeds of all lands that
have been or may hereafter BE- granted by the
United States TO this state tor the support Of uni
verify, shall be, and remain perpetual fund,
the interest of which shall be appropriated to the
support of the state university
1t is lust source of regret that the trust thus
imposed upon the state by Congress and the franz
efs OF our state government has not been more
and faithfully executed. The original |
endoWI1sn mt was munitcent, and sufficient for the
noble objects sought to be accomplished. While |
the state has been growing great in po- |
puat1on and material wealth, the right |
tU property of the university has been !
avlshly and inprudently disposed of, its ap- |
proprlato revenues depleted and children |
measurably denied their inherited right to the |
blessings Of free education in the highest depart
nents of knowledge.
Fortunately for the best interests of our people
40 moral obligation of the state is impaired by any
ia the execution Of the original trust |
The duty imposed upon us is clearly independent |
II fortuitous circumstances, and the obligation of
ne compact wisely permanent.
Notwithstanding the adverse circumstances to |
which have referred the university is rapidly be-
eel ia M an
Influences. It's organization Is compar-
lively perfect in plan, the administration OF its al
airs efhclent and economical, and its growth IN |
'opniar favor steadily increasing. An additional |
'ullding fer he accomm odation OF pupils Is now
e4ulred, the plans of which will be submitted to
GU by the faculty and a committee of the board o: |
e5ents in charge. II is believed that the compile
ion the present year of the additional structure
proposed is vital necessity, ana would so posi-
IVely enlarge the uTetuness of the university to
! able 1t hereafter to command in still h CHER de-
zee the confidence and patronage of the friends of
beral education, thus charging that patronage |
nd proportionate1y diminishing the partial Deepen
ence OF the institution upon legislative benevo-
ence.
In connection with this subject again bespeak
our earnest consideration of the problem whether
ur existing system OF public instruction Garnet
e SO harmOniZed and slmplided as to render pub
e labor and expenditure III this department of
roEress more economical and efficient We have ,
present schools of every grace to the sew
ral states. But they are neither so supplied and
attributed as to meet the wants of all sections of
10 S'ate uoI no tIiSs possess tndt completeness
rganlzat1on, mutual dependence of relationship.
ld unity Of purpose, essential to the efficiency
state system of education. Manitestly, our
nools sbo1ld be organized into system of sue
ssiVe grades, wherein a certifc. te of completion
the course in the school OF one grade should be
passport of admission TO the next higher, aud in
schools supported by the pubic money of Wis
'nsln, courses OF instruction should have refer
ice, III whole or in part, to courses of instruc
On IN public schools Of succeeding grade within .
lr own state.
INT FRMEDrATE SCHOOLS
Apparently the greatest need of our state at this