Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-01-16

Ilonal annual allowance of $4,000 5000
For fish and game protection. .... 1G,O0G
For bureau III labor statistics 1900
For state library commission (addi-
tional annual allowance of $4,000 1000
For new normal school,. ........ 100000
Total .................... 81 ST. 800
/ believe that the amounts asked
In the foregoing are all needed, and
1t would be gratifying indeed if they.
could all be allowed 1t is manifest
however, that this session of the gen
eral assembly cannot grant them all
without mourning and unwarranted in
debtedness. They are therefore sub
mitted with but this suggestion, that if
any additional buildings are to be pro-
y1ded they should be of the most
permanent character. For many years
the policy prevailed of building cheap
ly. 1t was thought almost anything
would do so long as the roof did not
leak, nor the walls cave. A wise de-
parture in recent years has been
made. The new hospital for the in
sane at Cherokee, the Liberal Arts
building at Iowa City, and the new
Falls are excellent in character. Those
competent to judge have used this
seemingly extravagant language in
connection with the hospital for the
insane at Cherokee. "The world may
and probably some time will Gave a
better planned and more completely
equipped hospital, but it has none bet
tn7 N6o 20
than commodious buildings of modern
architecture, and of strictly fire-proof
construction, has passed, let it be
hoped, in this state.
State Architect.
In this connection, | desire to in
dorse most heartily the recommends
ton OF the board of control that the
state architect be relieved from de-
signing educational buildings. I am
of the opinion that designs for all
public buildings should be thrown
open to competition, and the plans be-
fore selection examined by men of
recognized ability, and of national rep
atation. The buildings hereafter to
be erected should be such as will
stand the test INTELLECTUALLY, as well
as mechanically, not only of this, but
of subsequent centuries. The work
of no one man will meet these re-
quirements. A building admirable in
itself may not harmonic with those
already erected-a consideration of
great Importance. Neither will sue
cess in one instance afford a guar
anty against failure in the next. Arch1-
lecture is expression, and therefore
educational. Even the sacred writings
contain language and characteristic
expressions Of more than sixty au-
thors, each inspired, and their value
and inherent is large enhanced there
by.
Educational Institutions.
Our state educational institutions
are of great Importance, and should
be literally dealt with It takes
money to build a university Iowa
need not expect to compete with in
situations that are the recipients of
donations aggregating millions with
meager biennial appropriations. The
college of agriculture and mechanic
arts at Ames is, admittedly, the best
OF its class in the United States. The
Union Stock yards of Chicago expects
to expend $4,000 at this institution in
the department of animal husbandry,
believing there is no place where so
good returns can be obtained. This
fact is an endorsement that should
commend the institution to the very
favorable consideration of your hon
orable body.
Losses by Fire.
During the past year, both the state
university and the college of agricul-
ture and mechanic arts lost useful,
though not valuable, buildings. Tenn
porary relief was granted in each in
stance from the emergency fund.
wisely provided by the last general
assembly. Commodious and perman-
emit buildings should be provided at
the earliest date consistent with the
available resources of the state.
Normal Schools.
Our single normal school is over
crowded. The attendance lover 2,O0O),
AZ Lay JuuSu1Sul, is III excess OF what
can be cared for with best results I'M
der one management. Two years ago
recommended the location of four
additional normal schools to be equip
ped and put in operation from time
to time as the finances of the state
might justify. l recommended the To-
cation of four. in view of the fact that
every effort to establish one had failed
and l hoped four might be located at
one time without serious difiiculty.
The attempt was again made to To-
cate one, but rival interests defeated
it, as usual
Rural Schools.
In this connection, l again call at
tention to the inadequate educational
advantages in rural districts. The
average country school teacher re-
ceiyes less than $25 per month, ex-
elusive of board, less. we are told, than
in any other northern state and less
than in several southern states. It
must be that the major part of the
$8,O0O,O0o annually spent by the state
for public schools is expended in cit
les and towns 1t is exceedingly IN