The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1902-01-16

tional. Even the sacred writings con-
tain the language and characteristics
expressions of more than 60 authors,
each inspired, and their value and in
terest is largely enhanced thereby.
educational Institutions.
Our state educational Institutions
are Of great Importance, and should be
literally dealt with. Il takes money
to build a university. Iowa need not
expect to compete with institutions
that are the recipient of donations ag-
gregating millions, with meager hien-
NAL 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
spend $4,000 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
" 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 lover
10000, in my judgment, is in excess OF
what can be cared for with best re-
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.
In this connection, / again call atten-
ton to the inadequate educational adj
vantages in rural districts. The aver
age country school-teacher receives
less than SIS 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 Ss,0OO,0O0
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 a character
that the average farmer boy leaves at
IA or Is years of age. This lament
able condition win be painfully ap-
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 graduation without intermission.
1t is a poor place for the child from a
rural community. / have in previous
communications discussed this ques-
tiou at some length. 1t has also re-
Eeived onsideration-wise considera-
ton, think-from the superintend-
ent Of public instruction. I believe
with him tn, 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 a provision for the employment
of county superintendent at an ade-
quate salary, to be chosen in the same
manner as city superintendents, 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 coDdoned if the
compensation is low enough. Neither
can very much be expected of a coun-
ty superintendency under a system
that invites considerations of avaiIa-
hility only. If these changes were
made, some of you gentlemen might
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 10 you,
gentlemen, directly. Much of the evil
so manifest is the resultant of a wave
of sentiment that has in eomparatiyeI
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 a COM
mission TO investigate and recommend
such improvement of the capitol and
other property of the state connected
Herewith, including decorations,
works Of art, electric lighting and
burglar alarms, as in the opinion of
the commission would "place the capt.
tol building in a state of perfect re-
pair" and equip the same with modern
improvements. In obedience to this
provision Hon. Peter 4. Dey, who was
a member of the original capitol com
mission, and who bore a conspicuous
part in erecting the present edifce;
Prof. Charles A. Cumming, an artist
Of more than state reputation, and
Henry S. Josselyn, learned and prac-
teal architect, were selected. Their
report is on file, and is commended to
your careful perusal and favorable