River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1897-01-21
CONDITION OF FUNDS DECEMBER

GENERAL FUND INVESTMENTS.
Loan to State Agricultural So
Mortgage ON state fair grounds :''VOOO "
(taken from Z. C. McFetridge).. E.7s2 0S
Total ......................... .s77.7s2 o:
OTHER FUND INVESTMENTS
School fund, bonds and loans. 81, s73. 1863 81
University funds. loans. ......... 1872 $50 90
Agricultural college fund, loans. 1Ss.05q 70
Normal school fund loans. ....... 1.S13,293 50
Total 80, 1856 9I3 81
The balance remaining unexpended in the
governors contingent fund at IL O'Clock
on January 4 was SS55.79.
The greater portion of the states income
for general expenditures is derived from
the railways. For the fiscal year ending
December 30. 1896. the receipts from the
four per cent. tax upon the gross earnings
of the railways. which is laid ia lieu OF
other taxation. amounted to ST. .742i2
The total of expenditures from the gem
eral fund for the same period was So ILL.,
S70d The unfavorable financial and
business conditions which have existed
since 1893 have seriously reduced the earn
irgs of the railway companies operating
within the state. and in consequence there
of the revenues of the state have fallen
OFF. With a return of normal conditions
the revenue of the state from the railways
will be restored: and the completion of
the new lines and extensions already be-
L
to the state. as well as the opening up of
territory heretofore not accessible to set
tiers
Railroads.
The railroads of the state are closely
identified with the development of our
agricultural, commercial. manufacturing
end other interests. Farmers. merchants
manufacturers. miners ano all classes OF
our people come daily into business rela-
lions with them, and IL Is a cause for con-
graduation that the relations existing be-
tween the 20 or more railroad companies
doing business within our borders and the
people OF the state are so generally har-
mOnious.
The character of it's common schools is
/ the standard by which any commonwealth
is best judged. The school system of Wis
consin may well bring pride and satisfac-
/ tion to her citizens. The foundation of the
system was laid in the constitution and
I its present perfection is due to many years
I of intelligent legislation. to the earnest in
terest of the people. and to the able and
patriotic efforts OF those who give their
1 lives to the great work OF popular educa
ton. II Is by far the most important In
terest for which the legislature is called
/ upon to make provision. Some of the
claims of the schools upon your attention
I from the purely monetary side of the ques-
ton will be understood when 1t is stated
I that the total disbursements for the COM
mon schools during the year ending June
Sc, 1896, were s5,3ls.i0 i6: that the total
number of persons of school age repor ed
for the year ending June 80. 1896. was ga
$50: that the total number OF scholars for
the same year was 412,6S7: that the num-
Der of teachers employed in the state ,!ur-
ing the same time was 1894. and that
there are 1872 free high schools In the state
which employ 672 principals and assistant
teachers. at an annual compensation Of
1914, POS. 81.
No educational factor bas beap roo-o no
tent I'm making the school life attractive
to the CHI dren and charging the scope of
their intellectual training than the rX-
cellent books to which access is furnished
through the medium of the township
library The state superintendent is in
vested with the administration of the town
ship library law. and his recommendations
for further legislation to increase the eff
fciency OF the library and to accomplish
the observance of the law in every town in
the state are entitled to careful cons.dcra-
ton
/ recommend that the legislature take the
preliminary steps toward amending the
constitution so that provision may be made
by statute for paying the state super
in.endent of public instruction a salary
commensurate with the dignity and irnpor
lance of his office. An amendment of his
character was voted upon at the last gen.
eral election and defeated. The merit of
the proposition is so obvious and the pres
ent situation so unsatisfactory as to war
rant the belief that the defeat of the
amendment was due TO the absorption OF
popular thought by the momentous issues
of the campaign Under the constitution
the superintendent is receiving the meager
salary of 81 200 cannot believe the peo-
pie of this state desire a continuance Of
the present situation.
In his report. which will be laid before
YOU. the state superintendent of public in
structfon has made number of impor-
MT M q n a
with view to promoting the efficiency of
the schools. These recommendations
should be carefully considered.
The State University.
II is a cause for congratulation that our
state university stands to-day in the front
rank Of the higher educational institutions
OF the country. and that each year II has
been enabled. through the liberal provision
made by the legislature, 10 keep pace In It's
progress with the rapid development and
improvement in higher educational moth
DDS. Each succeeding year shows a larger
attendance I'm the various departments. fnd
the percentage of attendance from QUE own
state shows a very marked increase during
the past few years. This latter fact is
particularly gratifying as indicating that
the advantages offered are coming 10 he
better appreciated by those who are the
chief contributors to the support of tn
institution.
The needs of the university ] am cure
will receive the con sideration which they
merit
The agricultural college of the university
in. its development has kept up with the
progress of the other departments. and
the effect of its work is plainly to be seen
in improved methods. greater diversified
ton of crops. and relatively larger prof
its in the agricultural pursuits in our state.
The Importance and value of the work be-
ing done in this department are more direct
ly noticeable. perhaps. than the work Of
any of the other departments. The Spe-
cial needs of the agricultural college should
be carefully considered.
The Normal Schools.
The completion of the building and the
opening Of the new normal school at Su-
perioF gives the state seven normal schools
Of high character and excellent equipment
The prosperity OF these schools. judged by
the attendance. must be very gratifying
70 every person interested in educational
matters. No state Ia the union offers bet
ter advantages to those who desire TO
equip themselves for the honorable profess
sion of teaching than does our own state.
s. nd this is shown by the fact that IN ssch
one OF our normal schools there re me ny
students from ether states. The needs Of
these schools In the way OF appropriations
are well known. and I am sure the high
standard and efficiency of the schools will