Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1897-01-21

| AplIt NFhl cOlltRt
! fund, loans .....,..... 1SS, O59 Is
Normal school fund
| loans Sl3, 293 80
/ The balance remaining uncxpendcd in tho
governors contingent fund at IL o'clock on
| January was $3.50 10.
The Greater port ion of the states income for
general expenditures is derived from the rail
ways. For the fiscal year On ding Dec. 30, 1895,
the receipts from the four per cent. tax upon
the gross earnings of the railways, which is
laid in lieu of other taxation, amounted to
81, III, li2.l2. The total of expenditures from
the general fund for the Same period was
81, I'll ,3IO.5l. Tho mfavCrablc financial and
business conditions which have existed since
1898 have scriously reduced the earnings of tho
railway Companies operating within the state,
and in consequences thereof tho revenues of the
state have fallen Off. With return of normal
conditions the revenue of the state from the
railways will bo restored; and the completion
OF thonew limos and extensions already begun
give promise of an increased revenue to the
state, as we'll as the opening up of territory
heretofore not accessible to settlers.
EDUCATIONAL,
Tho character of its common schools is the
standard by which any commonwealth is best
Judged The school system of Wisconsin may
we'll bring pride and satisfaction to her citizens.
The foundation Of the systom was laid in tho
constitution, and its present perfection is duo
to many years of intc llircnt legislation, to tho
earnest interest of the people, and to the ablo
ana phlflOllt NllbftS OF those VINO plNe their
lives to the great work of popular education
1T is 10y far the most important interest for
which the Legislature is called upon to make
provision, Something OF the claims of tho
schools upon your attention from the purely
monetary side of tho question will be understood
when it is stated that the total disbursc-
mehts for the common schools during the year
ending June 80 1896, wore IS, BIS, 1O6 49, that the
total number of persons of school age reported
for the year ending June 80 1875, was 6Si, $50;
that the total number of scholars for the same
Az IN that the uImlpr Of nchnrS
employed in the state during the same time was
~ ~; and that there are 1872 free high
cipni' and assistant teachers, at an an
nunl compensation of 1914, 209 81. No
educational factor has been moro potent in
making the school life attractive to the children
aud enIarging the scope of their intellectual
training than the excellent books to which
access Is furnished through the medium of the
township library. Tho state superintendent is
invested with the administration of the township
library law and his recommcndntion for further
legislation to increase the efficiency OF the
library and to accomplish tho observance OF the
Law in every town IN the state are entitled To
careful consideration. In his report, the state
superintendent has made number OF important
recommendations and suggestions with view
to promoting the efficiency OF the schools Those
Recommendations should be cSwfully consd
cred.
THE safe UNIVERSITY.
1t is a cause for congratulation that our state
university stands today III the front rank Of the
y,
and that each Year it has been enabled through
the liberal provision made by the legislature, to
keep pace in its progress with the rapid devel
opment and Improvement in higher educate unal
methods. Each succeeding year shoes a Larger
attendance III the various departments, and tho
percentage OF attend ance from our own state
shows very marked Increase during tho past
few years. This latter fact is particularly graf
flying Us indicating that the advantages OF.
fsred arc coming +" BE- better SITTER aprrse9htsI
ors to the support of the institution.
The needs OF tho university am sure will re.
ceivo tho consideration which they merit. The
agricultural college of the university in its de-
vclopment has kept up with the progress of the
other departments, and the effect of it's work is
diyersihcation OF crops, and relatively larger
profits in the agricultural pursuits in our state
The Importance and value of the work being
done in this department is more directly notice.
able, perhaps, than the work OF any OF the
ofhcr departments, The special needs of the
agricultural college should be carefully con
sldcred.
HISTORICAL LIBRARY.
Tho legislature Of 1898 made an appropriation
for the erection of an historical library build
ing in which to preserve the valuable eollec
NiOns of the state Historical society. This appro
lprlation was made in view Of the fact that the
collectipns OF the historical society. many ~
(which arr rare and could not be replaced IL 10
ktpSed, were in their present location In tht
capitol building thought to be liable at any tim,
Ito I've DESTROYED by fire. and because il was feared
ffthAt the enormous weight pt tne society llDIa
~ and collections upon the upper floors of the
south wing might cndansrr the walls of the
building An additional appropriation Is NEG
cssar} to complete this structure. TO leave i
as II is would entail loss upon the state.
recommend therefore that ar appropriation
sufficient Ia complete the historical hbrart
building be made,
PRISON LABOR.
The competition in tho sale Of products man.
ntactnred by convict labor in the state prison
with tho same products manufactured through
ult the state gives ttse n some quarters To an
increasing complaint. This is nor peculiar to
Wisconsin, but the subject is receiving a great
deal Of attention throughout the country. II l.
not necessary for me 70 point out tho injustice
growing out II compelling honest labor to com.
peto with the for,ed ithor ~ convictS. But the
Sibinct is complicated ono. involving various
considerations Of great Importance, and de
serves the utmost investigation und thought
Among the things to he considered as involved
U the question OF prison labor are the necessity
for 81 directing tho employment OF convict,
confined in the various penal institution,
~ that each convict. when his terms Of ssntsnos