Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1900-01-18

Great care, however, should be exer-
cised, for 1t must be borne in mind that
1t is easier for state. as well as for an
individual, to incur a liability than to
discharge one.
The ever-present temptation to plan
only for today, and to build temporary
sheds where permanent structures are
needed. should SO far as possible be re-
OF the world forever, and her popula-
ton will multiply with the years Wise
planning for the future distinguishes
the statesman from the mere politician.
I think, therefore, in expanding the
somewhat more than a million dollars
a portion should be so placed as to
furnish enduring evidences of your
wisdom.
The Twenty-sev-
state board enth general as
OF sembly made pro-
Co,,,oI vision for a board
Of control. which,
for nearly two years. has had the man
agement of all our state Institutions,
excepting those purely educational.
The policy thus inaugurated has re-
suited in a very considerable saving to
at most of the institutions. l am per-
suaded. has been improved. When the
amount of work necessary to reorgan-
lie the operative force of thirteen state
institutions and personally examine the
practical operations of each institution
separately and to all Jointly. to install
a main Office at the capitol with its
corps of untried clerks and assistants
Is considered. 1t must be conceded that
the three men composing this board
undertook. on July 1, 1898. an Hercu-
lean task. The results show more
clearly than any words of mine how
eonscientlously this duty was under
taken and how earnestly. faithfully and
untiringly IL has been prosecuted. 20
Justify the board Of control system. 1t
L. not necessary to defend each sep
arate act. or to indorse the policy of
the board In every particular. IL err
rors have been committed. the lessons
taught thereby viii not need repeat
ing. Time will strengthen that which
is weak, and experience will supply
whatever may be wanting.
Great care should
Not be exercised that
Too Much the revenues OF the
E,ouo, state be not vast
ed; but, while this
Is true, the unfortunate inmates OF our
hospitals for the insane. the Institution
for the Feeble-M nded. the College and
the Industrial Home for the Blind. the
School for the Deaf. the Soldiers
Orphans home, and especially the Sol
diers' home should be cared for-not
lIvishly. but literally. The people of
the state win approve policy that in
sures ample food and suitable clothing
for the inmates of all these institu-
lions. and the employment Of teachers,
where required, the equal in qualifica-
tion and apsness with those engaged by
public school boards to instruct the
more fortunate. 1t is idle to suppose
that equivalent talent can be obtained
to teach the same branches to the deaf.
the blind, and the feeble-minded at
less wages than are paid amid more
congenial surroundings. Intellectual
ability and skill have a market value:
and the state or individual that buys
below current rates will receive corre-
spending service. The dominant sentt-
wages, and the state should not by ex-
ample teach private corporations les
sons in economy at the expense OF Ia
Dor. All that the people Of the state
of Iowa require Is 100 cents In service
for each dollar expended, and no one
need ever expect more. The board of
control will neither squapder nor rec's-
lessly expend any appropriation the
general assembly may place at its dis
posal.
The public school
Pubic schools system OF Iowa aa-S
OF had many en.om-
you, dumS pronounced
upon 1t, and needs
none from me. To say that II was
never better. or that no state In the
union has ever pursued wiser policy,
is not equivalent to saying that ours
cannot be improved. 10 say that 1t
has accomplished great things for the
people of our STATE does not imply that
II cannot be made more efficient With
In the memory OF persons now living.
women were denied a college educa lloa
and the first woman to be graduated
from any coeducational institution OF
learning. IL now living. Is but little past
the prime of life. A revolution has
been wrought in these matters; and,
while no one would return to former
conditions, yet a system which results
in the graduation Of 1888 young ladies
from the high schools of Iowa the cur
rent year, and only 954 young gentle
men, is weak at a vital point These
graduations are from town and city
schools, for rural districts do not gen.
orally afford high school privileges.
That town and city schools are superior
to those in rural districts will be read
ily observed as soon as the policy pur-
sued by each Is compared. As soon
as a girl arrives at the age Of II. she
finds ready employment as the m.s
tress of a country public school. II she
proves to be proficient. and possessed
Of aptnes5 to teach. after a few terms
in some summer school or perhaps a
year of normal training. and after hay-
ing attended few county institutes.
she may secure a position. at better
wages, in an intermediate grade In
town. where her efforts are supple
mented by the supervision of a prin-
opal or city superintendent OF
schools, whose talents command from
81, 200 to $1,000 per annum. Here she
has also the advantages OF regular
teachers meetings, and association
with advanced scholarship and skill. II
she still improves. she may be promot-
ed to the primary department at yet
increased wages, for 1t Is now recog-
n.zed that the best talent Is demanded
in the primary teachers. Or. II after
alternating in teaching and attending
school she obtains collegiate educa-
ton, she may secure position in
city high school. But IL she makes lit
tie or no Improvement she will con-
tinue in the rural districts, with no su-
pervision other than a county superin-
tendent. who. owing to his varied du-
ties and extensive field. IS necessarily
unable TO examine her work very often
If ever. Let this custom be continued.
and boys will not remain In school, as
In former generations. until past school
age: and. 80 long as majority of the
faachara In, tawn and nj achn0IS arc