Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1879-01-14
AIoN DAKOTA TERRITORY TUESDAY JANUARY a. 1879

AOTA TERRITORY. T
be available, no more important subject can
command our attention than the thorough
organization and efficient working Of our
'c'ool system. The grant Of land made ~
congress for school purposs Q, two sections in
each township, or more than Eve million
70, ,00O,OOO) acres, il carefully preserved and
wi.tly applied, will at no very distant day
make Dakota model community for the
general intelligence ofits people, whether 1t
shall be organized into enc or more states.
!he limited time given to those who codl-
lled our laws. at the last session. did not
permit the thorough revision of the school
law which H. might otherwise have receiv.
ed. Our school laws are made up to some
extent 0f old statutes. A thorough revi-
st0n made ny skillful educators would per
maps make them practical and harmonious
and better adapted to meet our increasing
wants and responsibilities. fear our pre-
ent laws on this most important subject
nave not commanded that zeal and pxclu.
sive devotion on the part Of some of our
ofnceis which 1t was their duty 10 bestow
upon this important subject. Chapter 40
section ., Of tie political code makes it the
duty OF the superintendent of public. in
s'ruc'ion ITO keep a record Of his Official
acts. and to exert himself constantly and
faithfully to promote the interest ut educa.
ton OF the territory" = "He
shall prepare and present to the governor.
before the 18th day Of December in each
year, report of his official acts for the pre.
csd'ng year. with full statement
of the condition of the common
schools in the territory and the
expenditure Of the public school mon
ey; and shall make such suggestions for the
Improvement and support OF the common
schools as he may deem proper" No such
report has been furnished for December.
1878, nor is there any evidence on file 10
THIS othce showing the expenditure of the
puol'c school money; nor isdeed of any
other acts OF the superintendeDt Of public
instruction, except as appears from the au
dttnrs report. and the items mentioned
therein relate mainly to salary. mileage aud
institutes
l greatly regret that the failure to furnish
the reports required by law renders 1t i'm
possible to communicate to your honorable
body, at this time. the detailed in formation
contemplated in the law; but, nevertheless
evidence is not wanting that our citizens in
Various localities of the TERRITORY have
manifested lively interest 10 the main.
tenance and improvement of our public
schools.
RAILROADS.
Our present railroad legislation has not.
as yet. received any fair test; no railroad
has been built dnder it as the law now
stands. II ls great subject and is TO have
an important bearing upon the interests of
our territory but 10 the absence of the test
OF pract'cal experiences as applied TO its par.
.lcu'ar provisions, l am not prepared at
tn's time to enter upon any recommepda.
t'ens IN detail. by Way of modification or
enhancement. But content myself with
the suggestion that the legislation on this
sutJect. it any. should have two objects iu
view; the protection OF tue rights OF our
citizens on the one hand; and on the
other such full and just security of capital
fair'y invested. as shall develop the great
railroad interests of the territory, 50 init.
nately connected with the prosperity OF
Dakota. Indications ara not wanting st
the present time that this subject will Is
sumo vast importance and require verv
Careful attention at no distant day.
IMMIGRATION.
The subject of immigration will deserve
your consideration. The increase Of settle
ment and the development of our resources
should be continuous and as rapid as the
welfare OF the new citizens will allow.
Growth in popul alton and wealth is the nat
lral law of our territorial life, the necessity
of our condition. With denser population
and greater wealth, all public advantages are
increased and the welfare of all citizens is
improved. With returning pro- perity in
he nation and the more buoyant feeling of
enterprise among the people, an increased
attention is drawn toward this territory,
Shich is now augmented by the railroad
enterprises within aud near our borders
The favorable land laws o: the United States
nave here their most compete and perfect
application; and there remain large areas
Upon the borders of our settlements which
of1er permanent advantages 10 The immi.
grant.
1t would, perhaps, be impossible to adopt
my general system, under a superintendent,
involving heavy expense, and which
would be otherwise satisfactory 10 all sec-
lonO Our settlements are separated and
hold different relations to the neighboripe
states and TO the markets, while there is now
little except official inter.communication
The several judicial dist,ic lets represent the
three great communities comprising our
pulation; and it seems better 10 have
three authorized agents Of Immigration, one
for each Of these districts, instead of a single
This arrangement would
also save much in travelling and other ex-
penses, while each would thus be able to or
gan re efficiently the harmonious interests
Of his distric, and secure the cooperation Of
N my other agencies. The expenditure Of
$1,000 would give 1898 to each district. of
which say 500 could apply as salary and
he remainder be expended Tor printing and
,ther necessary expenses. There is NV an
increasing demand for accurate and reliable
concerning Dakota, and .ome
economical M, ,hod Of supplying it would
ioubtltss result in the e neral advantage.
THE CARE OF THE POOR.
The law requires that the paupers sbal,
be Supported at the expense OF the several
counties, and defines their residence or leoal
settlement, with view TO fixing the re-
sponsibi,y of each county for the suppnrt
D! its own; and 1t makes the probate cour,
of each county the tribunal for Determining
he insanity of such persons as are to be
and cared for from the territo-