The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1881-01-14
ITEMS.
Whole number Of children
hefMecn q and 90 Nnn ra of

Total cost of instruction
teachers wages,. 8, $50 o45.2i 81 81, 9s3s9
Total expenditures during
year -. s., oo4 CAS- So S, ,9i5l4
Number Of teachers in
stitutea he'd. ......... SCI 65
Total enrolment at teach
ern lnfututes. .......... Ala 4.4s2
An cunt 81 county insti-
tute fund expended =. s5,sls.O3 sG,ce7 40
Amount of aid from State
treasury TO Institutes. S1.74S AL 81, 800 90
Total Expense Of institutes S7,0dl. 40 sS,i67i9
Thee figures show that we expend for educa-
ton every year more than double all other OK
penses Of the State Government and vet that
10000 Of our children do not attend any
school.
We pay largely for public education, and
naturally expect large returns. We know that
the safety of our institutions depends upon the
intelligence OF the people, and we look upon
the common schools as one of the prnci al
means for the diffusion OF knowledge among
our children, and for training them for virtuous
lives and an intelligent participation in the
responsible duties Of citizenship. They are in
school at q period when the perceptions are
quick, the mind plastic. and the opportunities
of molding character greater than 1t any other
time of life. with that some way might l.
devised to make our schools more intere
estlng and attractive Every child within the
State ought TO be brough at under their influence,
and yet large portion are not. knoy this Is
in n great measure que to the Indifference OF
parents and guardians still in many schools
there ~ q seeming want of that enthusiasm
that In pres pupils and attracts attendance. A
daily routine of irksome study il not calculated
to win scholars. have faith in our schools, and
I'm confident that they are dong good work.
but wouli stimulate them TO such action as
would give more extended rel Zation of their
value. The State taxes it's citizens literally
10 make educ alton universal within its bordt T.,
and 1t justly demands that every available
means be used to turn the advantage to he
best possible account.
MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY.
In no department of it, educational system
can Michigan more justly manifest we'll
grounded feeling OF pride than in its Cniver-
sity. This great institution of learning has
proved more successful than any other created
by the nuDi6 cnce of the General Government
and sustained through appropriations made by
State. II aims to be broad III its teachings,
compromising as much as possible OF the
scientific and literary pursuits of the age. II
keeps abreast with the most forward movement
Of educational thought, and has made itself
the pioneer i'll providing for 1.-The scientific
course, the co-education of the sexes. the course
of elective studies. the extension IN length
and NUM- + of terms, and the advanced require
ments exacied at matriculation." Ii enrolled
last year .490 students. u greater number than
ever before. IT il wholly ont of debt, and lii
every respect may he said 10 be in a flourishing
condition. / hespeak for it your favor, and
apprehend you will not hesitate 10 make any
necessary provision for keeping it III vigorous
life. The Regents r. quest a continuance of the
appropriations hei etoiore made for conducting
certain branches of scientific education taught
in the University through the express action OF
the Legislature. which. i'll my opinion, should
lie granted. They likewise ask for "a large
amount of special ,appropi,i tons some OF
which | approve. l have not space within the
limits OF this communication 10 canvass the
merits of these propositions separately. and
fully give my reasons for not favoring art Of
them | shall. therefore, without further COM
ment, submit their report 10 y on for your intel
ligent consideration.
NORMAL. SCHOOL.
The Normal School offers special advant-
ages TO tho-e who desire instruction for the
purpose of teaching. 1t has been
well attended, and the report of its
managers, which will be presented to you III
dine time, will contain all needed Information as
70 the PROGRESS, present condition and wants OF
the institution.
AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.
The Agricultural College WAS organized to
educate students IN the theory and practice OF
farming, and az an agency 10 diss inmate Sc en-
life and u,efu information on topics retaining
10 the cultivt OH of the soil. Agriculture Is
the principal occupation Of most Of the people
OF this State, and whatever tends to its I'd
vantage is worthy of your favorable consdora-
ton. The college started out with opposition
and with strong prejudice against it
even among farmers, but this IL gradually
disappearing. Now large number OF The
most active and enterprising men of this
class are among it, warmest friends. 1t
en-, oiled last year 26i students, and j, now in u
better condition to afford instruction on sub
jects that pertain tn farm culture thin il ever
WIS before. It's professors have actually par
iiclpaiel in agricultural meetings held III vari-
OILS parts Of the State and have eudeavored,
from time 20 time. bv addresses and published
rticos. to excite thought and create emula ION
among those ong aged in farming. 1t has done
gooi work and Is capable OF doing much more
The board having the restitution in charge 80
licit- larger Appropriation for ordinary eXpon-
res than they had two years ago, and think
they should have il. They also request money
for build ng and other objects, the necessity for
which you must determine.
STATE LIBRARY.
TIL" volumes III the State Library, exclusive
Of pamph eta and duplicates now number 30
l55. An addition of l,6l5 books has teen
made wtl il the past two years The law
library i, undouh tedlv tho hest il the State
An act was pa led ut the last session providing
for an inventory by the Board Of Authors
wi i.h make 4 unnecessary work. IL the I.ltra-
ri n were required TO furnish the list OF books
and the board 10 inspect them and certify to
their cond tiJn the object would he accom-
pill he'd ju-t we'll anu with le~s trouble.
nm pleased to say that the Librarian and her
ASH slant have discharged their responi ole du-
ii - IN II most satisfactory manner.
CAPITOL.
We are in possession of Capitol substan-
tally bu II and ample to serve the needs of the
State for many years 10 come. The whole cost
OF the structure has teen met without embar-
ras4mcnt and p1id for OH completion. Tue
state owes not dollar upon il. No burden OF
debt IL 10 rest upon us or Our postentv Nv ren-
of this work. In planning the building, II
WAS expected that when the walls had thor
onghly Dire and settled measures would be
taken 10 have them frescocd ard decorated in n
siyle COMFORTING W th the character of the
structure sud worthy Of the State. With tins
end in view tbs walls were lett coarse and
psre. They are now thoroughly DRY, and I al.
lude to this su ject that Won may consider 1t.
ILLUMINATING OILS.
An act OF the last IT, gs allure changed the
standard, am prescribed new test OF pc
troeum oil for consumption in the State.
When this law went mo effect spp United
CYRUS q. Luce State Inspector. Under his
efficient administration OF the duties OF the
Office. thorough system has iscn organized