Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1903-01-22
AID VALOREM
Continued from third page.


compel thousands of our citizens to
suffer from lack of fuel, which is fur
n1shed in abundance to other citizens
although at prices unreasonable and
unwarranted under natural trade CON-
dltlons, even after making full allow
ance Tor necessary shortage in coal on
account of the miners strike last wear
II the citizens of this state are being
vlctlmized by conspiracies of men
within as well as without the state
the governor believes that the powers
Oh the state are ample to enact and
enforce laws to prevent repetition of
the offenses in the future. even if
those who are guilty cannot he n,7,.
lshed under existing laws for the
present wrong-doing.
Miscellaneous.
me results of an investigation leave
no room whatever to doubt that the
bookkeeping and accounting system
which has been maintained in each of
the departments of our state govern
ment and each of the state institutions
is superior to that of Massachusetts
New York and New Jersey; that it is
faulty only in that expenditures and
receipts of the state government in.
Guiding the state institutions. have
not Deen centralized. 1t has been dis
covered that a system of centraliza-
ton may be engrafted onto the exist
ing systems without either mourning
present expense or entailing the ne.-
petual outlay necessarily to result
from sweeping them all aside. and
without rendering the whole system
cumbersome and complicated with de-
tail and circu mlocution.
In the application of this system
care has been taken with respect to
the university, the normal schools. and
state institutions, not to interfere with
systems already established and in
every way commendable further than
to centralize the general accounting of
the state.
1t is expected that settlement will
be reached with the United States
government at very early date and
That the state will recover approx
mately half million dollars in adj
justment of it's civil war claim.
During the last six years with a
steady, almost uniform, increase in
the number of persons of school age
in the state, there has been in the
same period an equally steady de-
crease in the percentage or propor-
tlonate number of such persons en-
rolled in the public schools without
corresponding increase in the number
of persons of school age attending pri-
vate schools. Nearly one half of the
total number were enrolled in the
country, village and small city schools
while the average daily attendance ap-
proxlmates less than sixty per cent.
OF the enrolment. The attendance in
many of the villages and small cities
is comparatively high, and the newt
able conclusion is that the average
daily attendance in the country
schools is probably not more than
fifty per cent. of the total enrolment.
The teaching force, accommodations.
and equipment provided, were ample
for full attendance every day.
Wholly disregarding the evil effect of
such absences upon teachers and fell
low pupils in progressive school, the
mere financial loss is worthy your
most careful consideration. When ap-
four million dollars is ex-
pended for school purposes throughout
the state, outside the cities under city
superintendents, clear waste of near
ly forty per cent. of that expenditure
through absence of pupils, who by
right and by law should be in school,
is not a matter to be neglected. 1t is
pointed out that this sum would much
more than provide for comfortable
transportation of all children in coun-
try districts to well built, well graded
and well taught central schools. The
legislature of 1901 enacted law to
provide for transportation of pupils in
rural districts, and the governor COM
mends the need of effort to improve
these laws and make them more effect
i've.
The demand is for the things most
needful. Make the training in the dis
trict school of so great practical value
that it will enforce itself. Teach
some things that will have daily APP
plication to the life upon the farm.
Add elementary training in agriculture
and domestic science Compel the
teaching of these practical, valuable
branches and you will have self
enforcing compulsory law respecting
attendance. This suggestion was made
in the message two years ago. 1t is
again urged at this time
There are now six county training
schools for teachers supported in part
by the state, doing excellent work in
better qualifying teachers for country
schools. 1t is suggested that provision
may be wisely made for at least four
more such schools. In pursuance of
an act passed two years ago, two
county agricultural schools have been
established and their work is highly
approved by those most competent to
s,,I. s~f