Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1902-01-17

AmeS is, admttedly, the pest OF lts
class in the United States. The Union
Stock Yards of Chicago expects to
spend $40 900 at this institution in the
department of animal husbandry, be-
lieving 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 honorable body.
Losses by Fire.
During the past year, both the state
university and the college of agri-
culture and mechanic arts lost useful,
though not valuable, buildings. Tenn
porary relief was granted in each in
stance from the emergency fund, wise
ly provided by the last general assem-
bly,. Commodious and permanent
buildings should be provided at the
earliest date consistent with the avail
able resources of the state.
Our single state normal school is
overcrowded. The attendance Cover
10000, in my Judgment, is in exec of
suits under one management. Two
years ago / recommended the loca-
tion of four additional normal schools
to be equipped and put in operation
from time to time as the finances of the
state might justify. / recommended
the location of four, in view of the
fact that every effort to establish one
had failed, and / hoped four might
be located at one time without serious
difficulty. The attempt was again
made to locate one, but rival inter-
ests defeated it, as usual.
Rural Schools,
Ia this connection, l again call atten-
ton to the inadequate educational adj
vantages in rural districts. The aver
age country school-teacher receives
less than $25 per month, exclusive of
board, less, we are told, than in any
other northern state, and less than in
several southern states. 1t must be
that the major part of the $S,000,0OO
annually spent by the state for public
schools is expended in cities and towns.
1t is exceedingly unfortunate that the
rural schools are of such character
that the average farmer boy leaves at
IA or Is years of age. This lament
able condition will be painfully APP
parent in ten years, if it is not al
ready. No number of colleges or uni
versities will meet the demand or cure
the evil. The village and city school
is especially planned for those who
begin at five years of age and continue
until gradual ion without intermission.
1t is poor place for the child from a
rural community. I have in previous
communications discussed this ques-
ton at some length. 1t has also re-
ceived tion-wise considera-
ton, think-from the superintend-
ent of public instruction. I believe
with him that central township schools
with provision for conveying the pu-
pills to and fro at public expense will
| afford greater relief than any other
| proposed system. If to this could be
added provision for the employment
of a county superintendent at an ade-
quate salary, to be chosen in the same
manner as city superintendent and
with analogous duties and respon-
sibilities, it would revolutionize our
school system for good The salary
should be fixed by law or the position
| would be let to the lowest bidder, as
our rural schools largely are at pres
ent. 1t is feared that some of the
teachers have little else to commend
them than kinship to the director
Nepotism is generally condoned if the
compensation is low enough. Neither
can very much be expected of coun-
| ty superintendency under system
that invites considerations of availa.
bility only. If these changes were
made, some of you gentlemen might
1 not be returned, but you can afford to
sacrifice your political lives if by SO
doing you shall serve and save the
youth of Iowa. They will have no com.
mittee on legislation. Other interests
will be represented. ! appeal to you
gentlemen, directly. Much of the evi
so manifest is the resultant of a wave
of sentiment that has in comparatively
recent years created the impression
that economy is the synonym Of
craftsmanship.
Capital Improvement Commission.
The Twenty-eighth general assem-
bly, authorized the creation of com
mission to investigate and recommen NJ
such improvement of the capitol ant
other property of the state connected
Herewith, including decorations
works of art, electric lighting anc
burglar alarms, as in the opinion Of
the commission would "place the CAPT
toll building in state of perfect re
pair" and equip the same with modern
improvements. In obedience to thi.
provision Hon. Peter A. Dey, who wal
member of the original capitol com
mission, and who bore conspicuous
part in erecting the present edifce;
Prof. Charles A. Cumming, an artis
of more than state reputation, ant
Henry S. Josselyn, a learned and prac
teal architect, were selected. Their
report is on file, and is commended t.
your careful perusal and favorabl,
consideration. This commission rec
} ommends the expenditure in the ag
gregate of $25O,O00. think it shout,
all be provided for at one time, but i
need not all be- made available in on
year. think it would be unwise t.
mutilate the recommendations. Tn,
commission went very thoroughly int,
the subject and consulted the hes
authorities in the nation, and it i
doubtful if its conclusions can be hasti
, ly improved upon. The whole schem
has been carefully wrought out. Thos