The true northerner., 1901-01-04

well OF the state. Provision ought TO
be made for the care of crlpp'ed depen-
dent children, who. II admitted to the
Coldwater institution, might stand a
chance I'm life, while under the pres
ent law they are left to the demoral-
izing influences of the county house.
The Common school system.
In the common schools large ma
tority of the children are trained for
life's service. There are 700O 600 pu-
pills enumerated, and over one-half
million OF them receive instruction in
the schools each year. The facilities
for giving to this generation the best
teachers possible should be strength
ened. The state normal schools. which
are now doing so much for the prepar-
alton of teachers, have not as yet been
able to supply all the demands made
upon them. Out of the 10000 persons
annually employed as teachers, fully
one-fifth leave the ranks each year to
engage in other pursuits, and the de-
mand thus created is not as yet sufii-
ciently met fy the normal training IA
cilities already provided. The legisla-
ture should carefully consider such
recommendation made by the state
board of education as are intended to
aid school district officers to place in
the school rooms of the state, teachers
who are worthy to shape the destinies
Of the youth.
Prison for Women.
Your attention Is called to the sub
ject of a state prison for women.
There is need of prison or reforma-
tory for the care of the incorrigibles
whose presence in the industrial home
for girls exerts an injurious influence
upon others not so far advanced in the
ways of wickedness If the incorrig-
ibles could be cared for elsewhere,
there is ground for belief that the in
fluence Of the home in n reformatory
way would be materially improved.
Additional argument for the establish
ment Of the proposed institution may
be found in the fact that the sate
now farms out the care of women SEN
fenced for violation of the criminal
laws. The proposition to establish n
prison for women is worthy Of atten-
tion, because through favorable ac-
tion the state will be taking n step in
the direction of further coping with
crime.
supplies for stnte Institutions.
All things being equal. state institu-
tions should be required to purchase
their supplies in Michigan.
Supervising Architect.
The advlsability OF creating the Of
flee of supervising architect is sumbit-
ted in the belief that it will be a busi-
ness investment on the part of the
state which the circumstances will
warrant. This officer should have con-
troll Of the preparation of plans for
new state buildings and for all repairs
and improvements. The state is grow
ing. and the needs of it's public insti-
tutions are keeping pace with the in
crease in population.
Fire Warden system.
There is great merit in the PROPOSE
ton that the Legislature should enact
a law creating a state fire warden sys-
TEN. seeking through such legislation
to prevent in part at least the enor-
nous destruction of property annual
ly recorded for Michigan. If there is
merit in the saying that a penny saved
is a penny earned, then there is rea-
son for legislation which is intended
to prevent the loss of wealth to the
state 1t is argued that an efficient
system of state supervision will aid i'm
keeping fire insurance rates at the min
imum.
The Forestry Problem.
Believing that Michigan cannot af-
ford to lose its numbering industry. l
advise the legislature 10 give careful
ton 10 ha Of nv
and enact whatever legis-
lation may he needed to bring about
the most beneficial results. The gen
eral idea has been TO take steps for
growing timber on abandoned tax
lands. now relatively worthless 1t is
of the utmost importance. before
Michigan takes hold of the problem
of reforestatiOn upon her lands, that
she have unqueStionable title 10 them.
New York seems 10 have solved this
part Of the problem effectually and sat
isfactorily. The commission will rec
similar action with regard to
Michigan state tax lands. 1t will also
suggest methods of strengthening fire
and trespass laws. and will ask for
more authority in connection with
these two last important features of
need of distinct forest policy, and
this means the providing Of the neces-
sary funds for initiating and carrying
il out There is no more important |
problem before the state today. look
ing toward the future Of the common
wealth, than the one the Michigan |
forestry commission has been asked to
assist in solving.
Changes in Penal Laws.
The report of the state board OF cor
rect.ons and charities, dealing with |
for changes i'm the /
penal laws, is worthy of especial con-
sideration. The conclusion is inevita- |
ble that under the present laws scores /
Df convicts are annually discharged |
from prison before there is any rea-
sonable evidence they are again fitted /
20 mingle i'm society. Under the SUI
Dreme court ruling it is unconStitution- /
II To impose indeterminate sentences, /
IS was attempted under a law enacted /
" the legislature Of 1889. The con
,titution should be amended TO permit !
.he re-enactment of that law. The
legislature may profitably give its at
.ention TO the question of providing
or what may properly be called pa