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 liability than to
discharge one.
The ever-present temptation to plan
only for today, and to build temporary
needed, should so far as possible be re-
pressed. Iowa will appear on the map
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
now or soon to be available. at least
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,,ro, 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 cons derable saving to
at most of the institutions. 1 am per-
suaded, has been improved. When the
amount of work necessary to reorgan-
ize the operative force OF thirteen state
institutions and personally examine the
practical operations Of each institution
separately and to all jointly. to install
main office at the capitol with it's
corps OF untried clerks and assistants
Is considered, II 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
eonsclentiously this duty was UNDER
taken and how earnestly. faithfully and
unttringly 1t has been prosecuted. To
Justify the board of control system. Il
Is not necessary to defend each sep
arate act, or to indorse the policy of
the hoard in every particular. IL err
rors have been committed. the lessons
taught thereby will 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
Eco,omx state be not vast
ed; but, while this
is true. the unfortunate inmates of oar
hospitals for the insane. the Institution
for the Feeble NJ .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
lavishly. but literally. The people of
the state win approve a policy that in
sures ample food and suitable clothing
for the inmates of all these institu-
tons. and the employment Of teachers,
where required. the equal in qualitica-
ton and ap ness with those engaged by
public school boards to instruct tho
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
congerial 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-
ment of Iowa is favorable to good
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
need ever expect more. The board of
control will neither Squander nor rec'I-
lessly expend any appropriation the
general assembly may place at its dis
posal.
The public school
Pubic schools system OF Iowa has
OF had many enlom-
Ioxy. dums pronounced
upon Ii, and needs
none from me. To say that 1t was
never better. or that no state in the
union has ever pursued wiser policy.
Is not equivalent to saying that ours
hsA tfr1nrnUn1 n 40 a 10 .
has accomplished great things for the
people of our safe does not IMPLY that
II cannot be made more efficient. With
In the memory OF persons now living,
women were denied a college education
and the first woman to be graduated
from any coeducatiOnal institution OF
learning. if now living. is but little past
the prime Of life. A revelation has
been wrought in these matters; and,
while no one would return to former
conditions, yet a system which results
in the graduation of 1889 young ladies
from the high schools Of Iowa the cur
rent year, and only 954 young gentle
men, is weak at vital point. These
graduations are from town and city
schools, for rural districts do not gem
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-
az a girl arrives at the age Of II. she
finds ready employment as the mis-
treSs of a country public school II she
proves to be proficient. and possessed
of aptness to teach. after a few terms
in some summer school or perhaps a
year Of normal training. and after hav-
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-
cipai or city superintendent OF
schools, whose talents command from
$1,000 to $4,000 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 it Is now recog-
n.zed that the best talent Is demanded
In the primary teachers. Or, IL after
alternating in teaching and attending
school she obtains a collegiate educa-
ton, she may secure a position in a
city high school. But II she makes lit
tie or no improvement she will con-
tinue in the rural districts. with no su-
pervision other than county superin-
tendent, who, owing to his varied du-
ties and extensive field, IS necessarily
unable to examine her work very often,
IL ever. Let this custom be continued,
and boys will not remain in school, as
In former generations until past school
age: and, so long as a majority of the
teachers. in town and city schools. are
women and girls, SO long Will a major
fty Of the graduates be of the same
sex.
In several coun-