The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1889-01-17
Total amount ex.


Total amount ex-
pended $3.50. .SS.669. 245 GO So 935, 61S 70
The report deals with the most vital questions
affecting not only the present but the future well
whether regard be had to questions Of finance or
questions OF good citizenship. When we con-
slider that the whole number OF persons enrolled
In the state betw cen the ages of tour and twenty
years June 80, 1888, was 567, 702, and that
OF this number only 265,477 were reported as at
tending the public schools, the state may well in
qulre rs to the reason of SO much absenteeism
and apply the proper remedy.
: confess to much solcitude for the common
school, and especially for the district school in
rural communities. 1t is to the little country
the incubation OF the true principles of Ameri-
can citizenship. 1t is here that the great body
OF our people acquire all the education they will
receive during their lives. I have profound
college and the university. These, however, are
but the fruit of a lowlier blossom, and they
nave many and most earnest, advocates.
1t is unnecessary that should press
their claims upon you. But the COM
mon district school, the "peoples COL
lege," is so much everybody's business that in
many respects II suffers from neglect. The child
that is, the citizen that is to be- has a right to
demand OF the state that it be provided. as
against all contingencies, with reasonable
amount of instruction in common English
branches. Especially has it right to demand
that 1t be provided with the ability to read and
write the language of this country. In this con-
nection would recommend such legislation as
would make it the duty of county and city SUI
perlntenCents to inspect all schools for the pur-
pose and with the authority only, to require
that reading and writing in English be daily
taught therein.
INSURANCE.
The magnitude of the insurance interests of
Wisconsin is O stronger commentator of the
commissioners report to your consideration than
any can make. The statistics embraced in the
report OF the commissioner are worthy of the most
serious study. This officer occupies a most i'm
portant and responsible position. It is his duty
TO know whether the companies seeking
worthy of confidence To ascertain the
facts as to their standing it is some
times necessary to make personal examinations
which involve travelling expenses, for the pay
ment OF which there is now no provision.
would recommend that this defect be remeded
I would also recommend that the law be amend
ed SO as to require the appointment of the COM
missioner by outside com panies as an agent upon
whom service of process can be made.
further detect in the law, to which the COM
missioner calls attention, relates to the so-called
sraternal lie associations Not only are they
not subject to supervision. but they are not re-
Qulred to render any reports. 1t seems altogeth-
er reasonable that such associations should at
least be required to make annual sworn state
ments as to their business and condition anS
that the statements should be published.
MEETING OF ELECTORS
Section e5 of the Revised Statutes provides
that the electors of president and vice president
shall meet at the capitol and give their votes on
the first Wednesday in December next following
the general election at which they are chosen.
By act OF the Congress of the United States, ap-
proved February g. 1887, the day for the meeting
OF such electors is fixed for the second Monday
in anuary next after their election at IL o'clock
noon. While it is very clear that the act of Con-
gress determines the day on which the electors
shall convene and give their ballots, / recon-
mend that our statutes be SO amended as to har-
monte with the United States law.
CITY CHAPTERS.
The last Legislature wisely provided for com.
mission to frame general bill for the 1ncorpo-
ration OF cities. l am informed that this commits
sion will be prepared to submit report at a
very early day; and commend this matter to
your attention as one OF the most important SUBJ
jects that can claim legislative consideration
The evils of the present system are not only too
many, but they are also too we'll known, TO ius-
tlfy reorganization here.
ELECTIONS.
The importance OF per,ecting our election laws
so as to give the greatest possible assurance that
every voter may cast his ballot as he wills with
out molestation, interference or unfriendly scru-
tiny deserves your attentiole The elections in
this state are. without doubt as honestly con-
Quoted as those in any part Of the country. But
in many instances voters are subjected to crowd
ing and unpleasant opportunities as they
approach the ballOt-bOx. In 1887 the
legislature enacted a law applying to cities
Of $4,000 or more inhabitante, and therefore
operative in the city of Milwaukee alone. By
the provisions of this law most ii not ALL the all
waited This act has now been in force during
two important elections in that city, and l am
informed gives universal satisfaction. l zee no
reason why the provisions of that law should not
be made applicable to all incorporated cities and
villages OF the state. if not TO township elections
commend this subject to your thoughtful at.
tenti0n
STATE SOLDIERS HOME,
desire to call your att ention to the advisable
ty of such legislation as shall place the Waupaca
Soldiers Home under state supervision and con-
troll. Such action is deemed advisable to enable
eacn inmate to receive the sum of 500 annually
from the United States, IN accordance with the
provisions OF a law passed by Congress in 1883.
Our state, to an exceptional extent, is the
home OF complex population. Over7O per
cent. OF Its peope ere OF foreign birth or the
children of foreign born parents. Many do not
speak the lang uage of the country, while others
have but an imperfect knowledge of it. Their
acquaintance with our laws and institutions and
with current affairs is largely gained through
the medium of foreign tongue. They have
been invited here by our liberal policy They
have come to make our country their home I'D
the home OF their children. They have common
interest with other citizens in the gen.
eral welfare, and all being moulded into
homogeneous whole. In community thus CON-
poscf, each retaining something of the peculiar
sentiments and traditions brought from other