The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1875-10-16

naturally lWalicnS our uccPcsI icctiliS'
of sympathy and -commisscration. But
when they are allowed to grow up ig-
roront and uncnlightened, except as to
those things within the range of their
vision. their situation is sad and lament
able in the extreme. We should there
fore afford every facility FOR the educa-
ton of these uniortunatcs, and to sup
Dlv. to some extent, at least, the i'm
portant senses. of which they arc de
privcd. The limited number of this
class now in the Territory, will not
justify the erection and support Of an
Asylum at present. w. can, however,
provide for their education at the Asy-
lum for deaf mutcs in Oregon, on very
reasonable terms, and | recommend
such an appropriation for this purpose,
us may be necessary.
EDUCATION.
The importance and necessity for the
maintenance of an efficient and liberal
free school system is so clearly axiom
attic, that | deem it necessary ONLY to
refer to the subject, believing that you
will not fail TO give ii tlll and careful
consideration, The Territorial super
,ntcndcnt of Common Schools will re-
port to YOU the situation and progress
of educational affairs, and will suggest
such amendments to the school law as
experiencc has demonstrated TO be nee
cssary.
The salary of the superintendent
,,ould he increased. Three hundred
dollars per annum is very inadequate
compcn,ation for the discharge of the
dutics which should be performed by 4
competent superintendent. Our school
system of which he is the head, has not
rs vet been fully inau4urAtcd. owing III
part at least, to the fact that the present
and former superintendent could not
afford to devote the requisite time and
attention to the duties OF the office. IN
lieu of fixed annual salary, | would
recommend that the superintendent b.
paid a certain amount per diem for the
time actually employed, and travelling
and incidental expenses; the maximum
amount to be fixed at such sum as may
be deemed just and proper.
TERtIIOR AL l NV ENSll
The Territorial University at Scattl,
has been in successful operation during
the past year under an efficient ano
competent Board of Instructors. This
Institution is entitled to and should re
ccivc the fostering care of the Terri
tory. The grounds and building
which ale now to some extent, dilapl
dated, should be Immediately repaired
A small annual appropriation is impcr
ativcly necessary TO place the institu
49,: ,,o,,- '----- I..~,~- w ..o,,or
''o' .,' on Board of Regent contains man.
voluablc Suggestions, to which cal
YOUR attention.
rtDL1C LANDS.
Az ,...,l area of Washington Terri
tory is 4l,79o,I6 acres, of whinh +,
1oO,O52 acres have been surveyed. Du
ring the two wears ending June 80
1875, there have been surveyed 3,2I2,
III acres of public lands md -o4,Il
acres of Indian X Reservations. There i,
comparatively little public land obtain
able by direct purchase from the Gen
cral Government No lands have been
offered for sale by the United States
since 1868, and the settled policy now
appears to be, to dispose of the public
lands only to homestead and prc-cmp-
ton settlers. If this policy had been
adopted several years since, before Sc
large portion of the public domain
had been donated to Railroad compan-
les, the best interest of this and future
generations would have been material
ly promoted If subsidies were actual
" required for the construction of great
national thoroughfares, it would have
been better to have made them directly
from the public treasury.
The cntrics of public land for the two
years ending unc 80, 1875, have beer
rs follows:
Olympia Land Oihco,