Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1892-10-28

pare new lists with some explanation of the
books. and so classified that they showed at
glance what books would be appropriate
for each school, The result has been that
last year 800 towns, including 900 districts,
purchased small libraries of the best avail
able books for children, and almost unani-
mously they pronounce themselves greatly
pleased with the plan.
Then Arbor Day celebrations were en-
couraged and SO judiciously that this year
from z, 400 to {, 500 celebrated the day, with
the result that the school grounds show
marked improvement Such wide atten-
ton did Superintendent Wells circular on
this subject attract that the secretary of
the American Forestry association sent for
copies to be used in Massachusetts,. Super
lntendent Wells is now preparing valu-
able volume on school architecture. The
plan is to put in the hands of school boards
guide for the construction of better school
buildings. The volume will contain plans
of large variety of school houses, from a
one-room district school to large city
building. Accompanying the plans will be
descriptions outlining the advantages of
different plans and giving suggestions for
building, and points in ventilation, heating,
nghtlng and arrangement. Especial atten-
ton Will be paid to the smaller buildings.
as there is where there is the greatest need
Tor suggestions The plans presented in
TINS volume are drawn largely by expert
enced architects, though many are prepared
in the superintendent office.
This is the way the Democratic admin
istration keeps its pledges regarding the
schools and refutes the SANDER that it is
the enemy of education
In return for his hard work Superinten-
dent Wells was attacked, and his allow
ances reduced in the face of the fact that
Republican state superintendent had been
receiving and pocketing, without question,
the same allowances for years. So soon as
he learned such allowances were unconsti-
tutional Superintendent Wells returned
every cent received beyond the constitu-
tional allowance. Contrast this with the
course of his Republican predecessors.
1t may occur to some that the former
school Observation-Disclosures to be forced to
repay to the state the sums received by
them in excess of thepay which the supreme
court mas decided state superintendent can
receive under the constitution. Why the
attorney general did not bring suit against
these gentlemen is in part accounted for by
the following letter written to ATTORNEY
General O'Connor last April, when the
G.
cusSed:
'HoN. J. L. O'CoNNoR, Attorney General.
Madison, Wis, DEAR SIR: / have repeat
edly called at your office to consult you in
relation to the application of the recent de-
clslon affecting the salary of the state SUI
perlntendent. Having been unable to see
you and being now called away, desire to
state that shall be pleased to return to the
adyio
may be found due in accordance with the
Interpretation of the supreme court
Il have seen it stated in the press that it
is your purpose to demand from my prede-
cessors in office the return of money SINH
larry paid them. Without presuming to
advise you in regard to your duty I desire
to call attention to the following facts:
1.-The superintendent who could be
reached by such action accepted the posi-
ton with the understanding that they
would receive fair compensation AL
though the court has declared that the
expectation was not well founded, yet the
state, through it's enactments and their
Interpretation, had virtually promised them
proper remuneration. The publication and
distribution of the laws made the facts gen
orally known. By acquiescing in the con-
struction recently declared unconstitu-
tional, the people are virtually pledged to a
just allowance for the important services
rendered. | need not remind you that they
did not, as did the state treasurers, violate
statute expressly forbidding their action.
10 compel these men now to refund upon a
basis OF 81, 200 per annum after receiving in
good faith and using $1,000 per year, exclu-
slve OF travelling expenses, would be the
greatest injustice. They have rendered
honorable and efficient service, and no de-
duction from their compensation should be
required. Neither equity nor good morals
demand it. If respect for the law under
the Interpretation of the court compels YOU
to take action contrary to the equities of
the case, can only express my regret at the
necessity. l requested you to take the case
against me into court, and insisted that it
should be promptly tried upon it's merits
and to the last principle involved I stated
at the outset that l was unwilling that any
other superintendent should ever be I'M
justly stigmatized by an attack upon laws
relating to his compensation which were of
doubtful. constitutionality. For myself, it
means the return OF a portion of an annual
allowance of $4,000 drawn upon for eight
months, while the others drew it, one for
five and the rest for four years. An equit-
able part OF 81 600 to be returned is not
large sum when compared with a proper
tional amount of ten or twelve and one-half
thousand dollars, for which each of the 9th
ers would be accountable / can but think
that the prosecution of former superinten-
dents would seem too much like retaliation.
1t would, fear, SAVIOR too strongly in mo-
tive and spirit of the action against me.
The precedents of our opponents are not
safe to follow. do not believe the people
wish those gentlemen to refund the money.
1 therefore urge, if you would not by de-
lay appear derelict to duty, that no action
be begun; at least until the people shall be
given an opportunity to express their wishes
through their representatives to be chosen
at the next general election. There is, as it
seems to me. an implied contract between
the public and the state superintendent
which the public is morally bound to fulfill.
AS the case now stands there is a public
wrong which ought to be publicly met and
righted. Respectfully yours,
20. L. WELLS,
Estate Superintendent
A more complete answer to Republican
attacks on Superintendent Wells honesty
and integrity could not be made than is
contained in the above letter. 1t contrasts
as strongly with Republican sentiments as
his action in promptly returning the allow
ances made him, and which were declared
unconstitutional, does with the actions of
his Repu blican predecessors who still cling
tightly to their allowances.
Democrats promised an honest admins
tratlon of state affairs. They are keeping
their word.
McKinley's Tin Plate Labor.
Mckinley in opening the great tariff
dol 70 in no Nf tot