Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-01-22

the dominant party in the state, to dictate
what, and what alone, all the children
within its borders should be taught, leav-
ing to the minority, however large, no
discretion or freedom in the matter A
principle more subversive of the most i'm
portant protection to individual liberty,
| and the rights of conscience could scarcely
be imagined.
| Such schools as are now supported by
the people at private expense should in no
way be interfered with by legislation.
They are important in advancing the we'll
fare and education of the people of the
state. The right of the citizen to educate
his child in accordance with the dictates OF
his conscience, without interference on the
part of the state, should be recog nized and
defended.
| Election Laws.
All laws, the purpose of which is to
preserve the purity of the ballot and prevent
| spying interference at the polls, should
be preserved and perfected. The right
of every citizen to exercise the sovereign
privilege of voting according to the die
| tateS OF his conscience should be sacredlY
| guarded To aid in accomplishing this
purpose law, known as the Cooper law,
was enacted two years ago. 1t has already
been subjected to a reasonable test. That
it Is IN many respects crude, uncertain
md defective, while In its main features
! beneficial, is established.
Among the Questionable features are,
| allowing In certain cases election boards
to be composed entirely of members of
one political party; the restrictions i'm
posed upon he>voter who may need as
sistance in marking his ballot; the ex-
pensive method of advertising the ii ,zet
in newspapers; and the lack of definite
| provision as to compensation for such
| publication, and the n amer of preserv-
| ing and caring for the ballots after they
are once counted, which now opens wide
the door for fraud. The testimony intro
duced in recent trial of an election con-
! test in the northern part of this state
demonstrates how easily under existing
| laws fraud and corruption, banished from
| the polling place, find encouragement and
refuge III official dishonesty or negligence
in higher places.
! Other defects and crudities might be
pointed out but they will suggest them
| selves to those of you who will be entrust-
ed with the important duty of preparing
the necessary amendments to perfect our
election code.
situations.
| Believing that one state board,
properly organized, would be sufficient to
manage all the charitable, reformatory
and penal institutions of the state, and
that a more humane, economical and
harmonious administration of the affairs
of these institutions can be had if all are
under one management, | recommend
that the state board of charities and re-
form, and the state board of supervision
be abolished, and that provision be made
for the appointment and organizations of
a new board, granting to the same such
enlarged powers as may be necessary for the
proper care and management of the in
situations placed under it's control, and
that such board be composed of men who
are required to give their entire time to
the service of the state.
The National Guard.
The Importance of maintaining a well
organized and effective state military force
| has long been recognized and conceded by
the most thoughtful and patriotic citizens.
1t is thought that numerically the present
military force is ample for all probable
needs and the people of the state are to be
congratulated that the patriotism and I'M
selhShness Of officers and men have
brought the Wisconsin national guard to
is present comparatively fine condition.
Care should be exercised that nothing
be done to lessen In any degree the effect
iveness Of the national guard, and if any
thing is lacking by way of equipment or
otherwise, which would aid to that effect
iveness the state should promptly supply
| it.
The Worlds Fair.
The four hundredth anniversary of the
discovery of America by Christopher Col
umbus will be celebrated in 1898 by hold
ing in Chicago, Illinois, an international
exhibition. Wisconsin should be repre-
scented, and proper representation calls
for an appropriation at this session. A
fitting exhibition of agriculture, our fore
most industry, with its grain, stock and
dairy interests, the mines, manufactures
and commerce Ct our state should be
made.
| In conclusion desire to call your atten-
! ton to the fact that many OF the reports OF
the different departments, boards and
commissions of the state call for extra APP
preparations, and to remind you that
large number of new projects, all calling
for money, will be urged upon you. While
| mdny OF JueSe u6IndnQS, may DC III d uIohS-
ure meritorious, and at some future time
worthy of careful consideration, | believe
the present condition and temper Of our
people will not warrant unusual or extra
ordinary appropriations
No Wreck Ashore
| Was more hopelessly stranded than
wrecked constitution, whether its disaster be the
| product of some formidable maady, OF that slow,
| premature decay that seems to fasten upon some
| constitutions without apparent adequate cause.
| An excellent means Of checking this gradual
| drain of the sources of vitality is the benefcent
| tonic, Hostetter's Stomach BItters which pro
notes digestion, enriches the blood and gives sub
| stance as we'll as stamina 10 an enfeebled frame
| Constipation, feebieness of the kidneys and blad
| der, fever and ague and rheumatism, are among
| The bodily ailments which it remedies promptly
| and thoroughly. Persistence i'll IFS use is well
| merlted by il.
| REM CHEERING DATES.
Some people have the very happy faculty
| of retaining in their minds long lists of