Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1899-01-18
Educational.
The Common Schools

Educational.
The Common Schools
A reference to the exhaustive report of
the state superintendent of public inStruc-
uon, which Will be placed in your hands,
VIII snow you that the past few years have
Deen time Of unprecedented prosperity
for our public schools The statistics show
that the total expenditures for public edu-
cation IN Wisconsin for the year 1898 were
go, iOO.O2; but these figures, large
tneE are, Go not express the full measure
OF prosperity. There has been Il wonder
full growth in public-school attendance no
tlceably in the country districts; greater
activity and interest in teachers Institutes
and educational associations. and pratify-
ing growth in the free high schools, inclutI-
ing the establishment of manual training
departments; extraordinary expansion Of
the normal schools and the university and
a rapid development of the township school
library system. This general prosperity is
very gratifying, and especially when viewed
in connection with the future possibilities
OF our excellent system of public edUca-
ton.
In his report the state Superintendent of
public instruction makes some recommends
tiOns to which l shall briefly call your at
tention. He believes that the weakest fea-
lures Of our common school system are:
% The existing practice Of licensing teach
ers; t2) the comparative failure OF the sys-
TEN to make adequate provision for suit
able professional training of teachers for
the common district schools; and C1 the
lack Of close, careful, professional super
vision feel confident that the recOmmen-
cations OF the state superintendent suggest
ing remedies for these evils will receive
your earnest consideration.
Township Library System.-
The township school library system main
tanned by the superintendent OF public in
structiOn has come to be recognized as one
OF the most important factors III our edu-
catiOnal system. The increase in the num-
Der of these libraries and their patronage is
very gratifying. So long as this system is
maintained and the selection Of books kept
III the efficient hands of the SUPERINTENDENT
the township library system will continue
to be n great educational factor This is
a reading age-b0OkS bad ana good are
within the reach of every child in the state;
1t becomes absolutely necessary. therefore,
that the character Of the reading Of chill
drcn be guided and the township library
system is doing this by furnishing to the
school children of the townships away from
the cities: as well as i'll the cities books
of helpful and uplifting character.
The Normal Schools
The eighth biennial report Of the board
of regents of the normal schools of Wiscon-
sin has been laid before you. This report
shows Il very pleasing growth in the normal
schools and in their capa city for turning
out teachers. The normal school system
OF the state has grown in attendance in
two years nearly 81 per cent. and in four
years nearly 81 per cent In two years
the ability CT the schools 20 furnish trained
teachers has increased nearly 6S per cent
This rate OF progress indicates that the nor
maj schools are rapidly coming to fulfill
their true mission in the state. that Of
preparing competent teachers The current
expenses Of the normal schools for the
present biennial period as estimated by the
board of regents is already provided for by
fund incomes, from appropriations and tax
leyinS The board asks for q special APP
prs yrlatiOn of $4,000 for necessary build
ings and repairs, which request should re-
ceiYe your earnest attention
The State University
The board of regents of the State uni
yerSity report an increase in the enrolment
OF students for the present year OF about
two hundred over any previous year. This
is but one indication of the increasing use
fulness of this great institution. The uni
verSity at present stands we'll up to the
front among the great universities of this
country, and the citizens generally. as we'll
its present high standard. In their bien-
NAL report, which will be placed before
you, the board Of regents asks for a spe-
cial appropriation OF $4,000 for additions
to the dairy department Of the Agricultural
college, and 100000 for the erection Of Il
suitable building for the College of Engi-
neering. The current expenses Of the in
stitutiOn are already provide for by tax
levies, permanent appropriations and other
wise and these amounts asked are eXclu-
Sively for the purposes named. / sure
that these requests will receive your care
full consideration. The members Of the
board of regents, after carefully studying
y.
appropriations asked for to be necessary
if the institution is to maintain its pres
ent rate Of progress and keep pace with
the advances made by the other great uni
versieS of the country.
The State Securities.
The quarterly examination Of the state
treasurer's department by the governor,
required by law, has disclosed the fact that
the law is not sufficiently clear in specify
ing who shall be the custodian of the state
1pt of no
curities in the office of the state treas
urer, while some of them are in the of
flee Of the secretary of state. The c0nse-
Quence has been that the quarterly reports
made to the governor have not shown all
of the securities held by the state and
hence these reports are only partially re-
liable as records of the states resources
/ believe it was contemplated that the state
treasurer should be the sole custodian of
the state securities; and ! recommend that
the law upon this point be so changed as
to make 1t clear that all securities should
be placed in his custody.
The governor then reviews the educa-
library feature.
He recommends that the Legislature pro-
vide for the expenses of the tax commits
sion.
A reorganization Of the state militia on
the basis of the regulars is also advocated.
In the interest of economy the governor
recommends that the work of compiling and
publishing the blue book and the compiling
and publishing of the state census be dele
gated TO the department OF labor statistics.
revision of the method of state book
keeping and requirement of countersigned
receipts for every state officer collecting
money for the state is advocated.
A law designating the state treasurer as
the sole custodian of state securities is
recommended.
Other recommendations are:
The addition of two or more factory in
SpectOrS for the bureau of labor statistics.
4 revision of the caucus law making it
applicable TO every voting precinct in the
state.
An advisory board to aid in Investigating
applications for pardons.
That the governor he given authority to
insure the capitol building.
Conclusion.
upon all the vital subjects which will claim your
lay emphasis upon those which
be of paramount importance.
l believe that in time of general prosperity
like this. there is more need for d close scrutiny
of appropria tons and Il watctfulness OF public
expenditures than when general financial
stringency makes the necessity for economy 10
each individual matter.
y wise economy may be practiced without de-
privng any state interest of its necessary sup
port feel confident that every subject which
shall come before you viii receive that consdera-
tion which will enable you TO dispose of it in
the best manner POSSIBLE BE assured that in all
your work you VIII have my hearty and sincere
on l,aSppPtfulv cd