Arizona weekly miner., 1875-01-08
BIENNIAL MESSAGE
Governor A. p. x. Stafford
Eighth Legislative Assembly of the Ter
 ritory of Arizona.
Especial by Telegraph to the ARIZONA MIsER.l


 TucsoN, January 6.
 Governor A. P. K Safford's biennial Mes sage, which was delivered to the Council and House of Representatives in Joint Council to-day, is as follows:
 Ge,,tIemea ef he Council and House of Rep reSentatires: As Chief Executive, 1 extend to you cordial welcome to the performance of the honorable duties which are before you. hope the session upon which you are just entering, may be one in which harmony, wise counsels and a generous charity will prevail, and that your labors may hasten the growth and general prosperity of the Territory and advance the peace and happiness of the peo- pie.
 proceed, as required by law, to commu- nicate to you the condition of the Territory and to recommend such legislation as will, in my opinion, promote the general welfare.
 The present statutes of the Territory have been found inadequate to give peace, security and prosperity to the people. Some changes may be made that will doubtless prove bene ficial. but great care should be taken to enact no law that will operate injuriously.
 EDUCATION.
 ! The last Legislature imposed the duties of Superintendent of Public Instruction upon the Governor. For detailed information on this subject I refer you to my reports to the Territorial Board of Education, copies of which will be laid before you.
 These reports show that the total re- ceipts for school purposes, from all sources, during the past two years, have been S22. .S3332, and the total disburse- ments SEQ, ,21l 46, leaving a balance on hand Nov 90, 1874, of S2,62ls6. The amount in vested in public school houses and furniture is SS,950. The amount required for school purposes for the year 1875, as estimated by the County Superintendents of Public Schools, is $ll 600. Probable amount that will be received So 100. The school census returns for 1874 show the number of children in the Territory between the ages of and 2l years to be 2,5S4, of which number, 343 have attended the public schools, and l96 have attended private schools and no can read and write Since the last census was taken in May, 1874, the number attending the pub lie schools has considerably increased. There are at present nine teachers employed in the Territory and nearly every school district Is provided with free school. It is believed the revenue will be sufficient to support the same from to l2 months during the year.
 The taxes now levied for school purposes are 9 cents on each S100 valuation collected and paid into the several County Treasuries and 9 cents on each Sl00 valuation collect ed and paid into the Territorial Treasury. As the Territory increases in population new and increased school facilities will be required, but it is believed the increase of taxable pro- perty will be in proportion, therefore no larger rate of taxation for school purposes will be necessary.
 am of the opinion that the school reve- nues of the several counties should be divided among the school districts thereof, in propor- tion to the number of children attending school, and that the school revenue paid in- to the Territorial Treasury should be divided between the counties upon the same basis. By this division a premium will be given to those who attend school. Besides, 1t Is but just, that those shall who will attend school be provided with the means. The school inter est would, undoubtedly, be advanced by the adoption of a uniform series of text books, and, in this opinion, l am sustained by all the County Superintendents
 Under the present school law the free school system has been made a success and the means are afforded by which every child in this Territory can obtain the rudiments of an education. But trifling sum is paid to officers for their services and nearly the en- tire revenues are applied to the maintenance | of schools. Great care should be taken to preserve the same economy now practIced m the disbursement of this fund, and radical changes in a law that has worked well should be avoided. It is subject of pride to every citizen that with all the difficulties we have encountered, amid poverty, desola- ton and death, accustomed by our savage ! foes, the people, with great unanimity, have provided the necessary means to educate the rising generation, and upon no other subject are they so thoroughly united. The taxes levied and collected for this purpose are paid without murmur, with the very general eX- pression if more is needed it shall be paid. ta The benefits of our free school system to the Terri cry reach far beyond the education of our own children. The first inquiry made by parelts seeking new homes is whether there are opportunities to educate their chil- dren, and we being able to answer in the af- | firmativc, most excellent class of immi- | grants arc coming to settle among us.
 The subject of compulsory education is re- ! ceiving favorable consideration throughout the United States. The great State of New Yo:l, and several others have recently fallen into the line of progress and enacted compul- sorry educational laws and the sentiment is fast gaining public favor everywhere. | It is the very general belief that the safety and perpetuity of republican institutions rests upon the capability of the people to govern themselves. This being an admitted fact it is as essential for the peace, prosperity and security of all to have the rising gener- ation educated AS it is for an individual to take the precautionary measures necessary to preserve his property from fire, food or 1 thieves. believe the time has arrived in | Arizona when such measures should he adopt cd as will insure the attendance of every child at some school for at least three months during each year.
 In establishing the free school system have received the hearty cooperation of the county school superintendents and the peo- pie generally. It rests with you to foster and cherish this institution; no other duty that you will be called upon to perform will leave so lasting an effect upon the future of this Territory, and l feel confident that | you will perform it with fidelity to the peo- Il p,e and for the advancement and enlighten-