The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1882-01-26

eminently satisfactory. The education OF tho
masses is the surest reliance OF the State, and
wherever free schools exist through their
powerful cnllghtening influences AMI strong
progression the integrity 81 our political fabric,
the security to the enterprise OF tn. citlzen and
the equality and happiness OF the people are
solidly assured. Popular education has become
firmly intrenched in the confidence Of the ma
ton. and there IL no feature Of our whole sys-
tenn SO near to the general heart, nor regarded
with sucll affectionate anxiety. as the free pub
lie schools Of the country. In our own Iowa
In advancement u our schools, which
compare favorably with those OF any Of our
sister States; and yet perfection has not
been reached. The best minds IN the country
are constantly engaged in OH elaboration Of
the system, to increase its efficiency and en-
large it, scope, thus making II possible for
every youth in the land to secure this advan-
tages Of superior and thorough education Ii
10 the proud boast OF our countrymen that here
We have no titles Of nobility, no lordly posses
sion, nor aristocracy OF wealth or Office. The
highest positions, political, business or social,
are equally attainable to all citizens, and that
would be woful day to the republic when
the people become careless and am5itioness
and neglect participation in public affairs.
To avert such . calamity, and in upbuild-
ing Of public sentiment. we must sustain our
educational system, which in its aggressive
comprehensiveness has already reached out
into every hamlet, and filled all classes with
now inspirations, and which through all
time win prove the very shect-anchor to
ner-stone to our political structure. Thil
general concern for the success Of our common
schools il conclusive or the superior culture Of
our people, which is further evidenced By the
fact that the taxes necessary for their support,
amounting to over S4,00o.0OO annually, or
nearly &3 per head to our entire population.
and quite equal to all other taxation combined,
IL paid In better satisfaction than any other
levy. Your $4,000 teachers are 80 many pow.
erful and never-failing agencies in the eleva.
ton Of public morals, while 1000 public
school-honses are 50 many mile-s.ones marking
tho progress Of our people into the cyerlast-
ing sunshine Of liberty and virtue.
Therefore, all bail the common schools :! the
browning glory Of our State-at once the pride
and pleasure Of its every citizen.
Nevertheless, We have not yet reached the
summit. Although nearly half million chill
dren are in usual attendance, and reaping free
yet priceless advantages through the educa-
tional facilities afforded, there il still vast
number, much too large proportion Of the
coming up In ignorance, which must eliminate
in vice. The causes therefor are two-fold. No
doubt few are prevented through the inability
OF parents to provide necessary clothing, but
am persuaded these cases are quite rare. BY
far the greater number are absent because OF
the carelessness Of their guardians. which is
really criminal neglect. l believe the time has
interfere in protection Of these waits,
and compel their instruction in
better ways, and in enkindlement
cf hope, through awakening the moral senses,
and urging laudable, yet dormant, ambition.
They have demands upon III, which, in the
light OF our advancing civilization, cannot and
should not be ignored. Any legislation, there
into our schools, either public or private. would
be in interest Of sound morals and pubic policy.
and thus to good government, and add to the
already enviable reputation Of the State III mat
tiers educational. l trust the day is near at
hand when it shall be legal, as now clearly the
moral duty q parents to present their children
at school, thus saving them from vice, and bet
ter than gold or precious ointments, establish
ing them in habits Of industry-the harbinger
of virtue.
THE PUBLIC CHARITIES.
Although attention has doubtless been called
at considerable length to the public institutions
cannot forbear reference to the subject be-
cause Of its serious importance. The State OF
Iowa has been proverbially liberal in the man
agement OF her charitable institutions, and our
citizens are wont to contemplate with pardon
able pride the comfortable and really fine
homes which are maintained at public expense
for the accommodation Of the unfortunates
who need the care and protection Of the State.
We have not, however, done our whole duty.
It 10 painfully evident the accommodations arc
oommodious though they he. The
State IL increasing rapidly in population, and
with this growth come also additional burdens.
Larger and better provision must be made to
meet these demands This il conspicuously
.et ,rtl~ - Al.
um for Feeble Minded Children. Additional
buildings are greatly needed at each OF these
places, in order to the cGmfort and instruction
Of the inmates, and IL these institutions are to
be maintained ct al let it be done in manner
with the purpose and creditable
10 the State. Both these charities appeal most
strongly to our tenderest regard, and / CONE
appropriations are demanded for any Of the
public institutions they should be granted only
After satisfactory investigation Of the necessity
therefor, and then always in sufficient amount
to accomplish the desired end. 1t Is neither
nor craftsmanship to appropriate only
half the sum requisite.
Tho plan heretofore in vogue for the govern
ment OF the institutions, viz. by Trustees
chosen by the Legislature, is doubtless as near
" correct - can be devised. So far as my
extends, the several boards have
performed their duties in manner creditable
to themselves, honorable to the State, ard
probably with considerable economy. have
no disposition to disturb that system How
ever, believing that uniformity should obtain
in the management OF all public charities, and
that supervision ia desira BILE III respect thereto
am in favor OF State Supervisory Board, to DE
appointed from the ranks OF the experienced
business men Of the State. who should be
clothed with authority to visit every State in
stltution and inquire into its general condition
and management. There can be no doubt but
such board, properly constituted. would
richly repay its cost in the additional informa-
ton that could be obtained, and that from an
unprecedented source--information go necessary
to the General Assembly, in order to legisla
tive action. Such commission would prove
most valuable auxiliary to the Executive, who
should have power, on approval of their recon-
mendations, to compel compliance thereto.
Thus uniformity, that great desidcratum in all
public matters, would be secured, and, through
uniformity, . better economy everywhere OBJ
tanned. The cost for the support of the sew
eral State institutions. for the last tenn, not
including the Agricultural College nor the
Hospital for the Insane, was over a half million
dollars, and the expense of such board would
be trifing, compared with the benefits which
would inevitably flow therefrom. am also de-
cidedly Of the opinion that
THE PKMrENTlARIEs
should be placed under the same plan of gov
eminent and Trustees chosen therefor. The
cost Of maintaining the prisons il steadily in
creasing, parallel with the growth OF the state,
and already amounts to mere than is expended
for ill other OF the institutions, the hos i;a!s
alone excepted. A single board would sutii e
for both prisons, and II proper men were APP
pointed TO that trust the result couli not be bat
gratifying. venture to suggest also o reform
In the manner Of conducting our prison.. in
49, 80 1la,, eN,.,s