Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1885-01-08

| suggestions As TO the management OF Int
public schools. think the recommendation
In the matter OF redistricting the State is {
very proper one. The superintendent Il
convinced that the State, or at least SUSSEX
county, needs redistricting. The subdivision
of school districts Is wrong. They had better
/ be consolidated than form so many new dis
tricts. Jttakes from the dividend and injuries
the other districtH."
The teachers institutes held under the
i direction OF the superintendent have proved
| &c be of great service to the educational
| interests of the State, as well as interesting
| and instructive to the people at large. The
i expenses Of the meetings have been borne by
| the teachers with slight assistance from the
communities in which they have been held.
| The institutes are held under State law and
| deem II eminently proper aud right to sug-
| gest that out OF the school fund an amount
be set apart sufficient to meet, in part, the
necessary expenses attending the same.
EXPERIMENTAL FARM,
The question of an experimental farm has
been discussed by the trustees OF Delaware
College, and by the State Grange OF Della
ware, during the last year. i herewith trans
init resolutions adopted by Delaware College,
and by the State Grange, suggesting the
subject for your consideration, and also the
plan by which it may be made effective.
have long since recognized the great need to
the farming and fruit interests Of . farm OF
this kind, managed in practical and econom-
ical manner, and trust that you, gentlemen,
will consider the subject OF such importance
as to justify aid on tine part Of the State In
establishing such an institution.
DELAWARE COLLEGE.
cannot close the reference TO the cause Of
education without directing particular atten-
ton to what is and has from its foundation
been considered and treated as State insti-
tuition of learning-DelawaIe College. In the
past State aid has been rendered in setting
apart the income derived from the sale OF
the land scrip donated by the general gov
ernment but the requirement Of the State
for free instruction to o certain number of
pupils has rendered the gift almost nugatory.
The aid referred TO has not come directly
from the State, but as q transfer of the
national gift by the acceptance on the part of
Delaware College Of the conditions imposed
by Congress on the states and territories.
The condition Of the college buildings, to
say nothing Of the demand for increased
facilities for proper instruction in the
sciences by means at modern appliances.
apparatus and Illustrations, appeals strongly
to the State for substantial aid at this time,
supplemented as l believe 1t will be In the
near future by voluntary contributions from
the friends OF the institution. Your serious
and thoughtful confederation Is directed TO
this important State interest. feel assured
that there is general desire throughout the
State, and within our own borders there
should bea seat Of learning that will compare
favorably with similar institutions In other
states, and advantages afforded of such a
character that the youth OF the State shall
not be compelled to lcok elsewhere for COM
plete collegiate education.
STATE LAW LIBRARY.
I'M.
called my attention to the present crowded
condition Of the library. There are now
10000 law books, besides large accnmula-
ton Of miscellaneous documents, SLaLO
papers, DO and more are being constantly
received, and as collection OF law books,
the library has few, If any, fuperiors in the
Union.
that early steps may be taken TO provide for
increased accommodations to meet the neoes.
stiles OF the library. Unless provision ia
made many valuable books will have to be
stored in such manner as to be practically
inaccessible.
STATE MILITIA.
A strong and efficient militia is one Of the
safeguards OF our institutions. No country
however peacefully disposed, has been able
to avoid at times complications with other
nations which could only be settled by an APP
peal W hub dTDllTdl16ut Oh hTtllbs
A large standing army is now, as 1t was by
the fathers, justly dreaded as q nursery OF
habits OF mind and body detrimental to re
publican institutions. The national govern.
ment, therefore, maintains but small stand
ing army, the principal reliance in case OF
war being placed on the militia OF the states.
The militia being composed Of those who de-
pend upon on their civic occupations for
their maintenance, and subject in their daily
life and occupation to the civil law, presents
none Of the dangers inherent in a standing
army. The militia being under the exclusive
control Of the state. the duty Of the state 10
maintain it in proper manner is plain. A.
though the present militia force Of this State
is, considering the circumstances, in very
would, therefore, recommend that proper
steps be taken to place the State militia in u
thoroughly effective condition.
As it is likely that the militia Of the various
states will be represented In the Inauguration
ceremonies Of the President elect, hope and
believe that Delaware, from her rec ,gnized
proud position in the Union, will evince
patriotic desire to contribute her share in the
civic and military display on that occasion.
ADJUTANT GENERAL. ..
The report of the adjutant general is
herewith transmitted, and the suggestions and
recommendations therein contained are re.
feEred to your favorable consideration.
PREVENTION OF FIRES.
BY request of Henry A. Hilles, secretary OF
the National Association Of Fire Engineers,
the letter addressed by HIM to me is herewith
transmitted The suggestions contained
therein are worthy Of serious attention Since
the subject of fire waste is one that interests
all GLASSES, it should be we'll considered by
you, and il by legislation the losses by fire
carl be lessened q great public benefit will be
Conferred. have no doubt that very large
ma iority OF the fires are due to negligence. The
Law provides punishment for the incendiary,
whether it be his own or snother's property
to which he applies the torch. It also pro.
vides penalty for the person who Injuries
anc 'ther either in his person or property, even
tho ugh it BIO not Intentionally DONE The law
shu uld. and hope the day is not far distant
when it will punish the man who, through
neg ligence, fails to take the ordinary precan-
tioi ID for prevention OF fires.
IMMIGRATION COMMISSIONERS.
1t gives me pleasure to bear testimony to
the faithful manner in which the State Board
of Immigration have discharged their duties,
and that too without any compensation or re-
ward fixed by law. They have been instru-
mental in bringing into the State many valu-
able, reliable and permanent laborers with
their families. A portion OF the appropria-
ton has been expended in the publication Of
pamphlet styled "Homes and Lands of
Delaware" which, il generally circulated, in
my opinion, will be worth far more to the
State than the entire amount appropriated
for the expense of the immigration Commits.
sion. II IS q treatise admirably adapted for
the purposes designed and should be read
carefully by every citizen OF the State. 1
heartily commend the suggestions Of the
board, In their report herewith submitted, and
hope for your earnest and favorable cooper
alton. AZ great aid to the successful work.
ing of the commission, would advise that
you take into consideration the establishing
OF "a State Board OF Agriculture. Delaware
is peculiarly an agricultural state, and as
nea rly ali Of the states have established state
boards, aud found the working Of the same
YER beneficial not only to the farming but
othiar closely connected interests, 1 believe
thai ii would be wise and in the line OF state
development TO recognize in this manner the
agli cultural interest. ...
TEMPERANCE
Il is the duty OF all good citizens to exert
wins tever influence they may have In promot-
ing the practice and observance OF temper
anct, cherishing the same as Christian
write.
Temperance is too vitality essential to the
heal tn, peace, prosperity and happiness OF
the community ever to be made a partisan
issui, Those persons are the honest and true
friends Of the cause who. by force of example
and appeal to the Judgment Of men, rather
than by measures Of coercion and restraint
seek to promulgate and enforce their views
aud principles. This argument applies alike
toaI questions Affecting the personal liberty
OF ii citizen, which in this free country hes
beco me 80 firmly fixed in the public mind
that the people are jealous Of any attempt at
intel ference with or in restraint OF individual
actic ms and customs. In thus referring TO
the PERSONAL liberty OF the citizen, 1 would
not for ono instant lose sight Of the de.