Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1903-01-22

u hhoIO4 IeilioH vi ali CillIuIeH III fuu-
try districts 70 we'll built, we'll grs ded
and well taught central schools. The
legislature of 1901 enacted a 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 ap-
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 a 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 Sin 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 pu: suance of
an act passed two years ago, two
county agricultural schools have been
established and their work is highly
approved by those most competent 10
judge Of its character. The cost of
each of these schools to the state is
limited to one-haIf of the total expen-
dlture and in no case can exceed ST.
205. The material benefits to be de-
rived from practical education in agri-
culture by those who will engage in
agricultural pursuits, and who. as a
rule, will have neither means nor time
in later years for higher education in
this branch of knowledge needs not
to be estimated to be appreciated
The university authorities, recognize
ing the many demands upon the legis-
lature for appropriations and the
limitations upon the revenues of the
state, have hesitated whether to ask
for the stated separate sums. specific
ally all at one time, or to request the
legislature to continue for a period of
three years the annual tax of 100000
provided for the historical library
building which terminates in 1903. the
amount thus secured each year to go
to the university for the purposes
specified, after the remaining balance
for the state historical library shall
have been paid. Of course a continu-
ing appropriation extending Over a
period of years would be less burden
some than a direct appropriation of
the whole amount to be drawn from
the treasury in one tax period.
The governor doubts the wisdom of
establishing a criminal insane hos
pital at this time, favors prison
labor by contract, thinks a workshop
for blind adults should be built in
Milwaukee and calls attention to the
fact that the labor commissioner to
mitigate the evils of child labor in
factories, favOrs compulsory attend
ance Of children at school during the
school year, a change in the present
method of issuing age certificates TO
make it impossible for INSCRIPTIONS
parents to profit by false affidavits,
and a repeal of the permit system
which operates to the evasion of other
provisions of the law.
The governor urges upon the enact
ment of a law that shall make it an
offense punishable by the heaviest
money penalty, and by Imprisonment
as well, for any lobby agent or lobby
representative, employed and paid for
his services by others, to attempt per
sonaliy and directly to influence any
member of the legislature to vote for
or against any measure affecting the
interests represented by such lobby
list.
He recommends the question of
more efficient protection to employees
of railroad companies who may be in
jured in the discharge of their duties
through carelessness or negligence of
other employees or agents of the com
pany. There can be NO doubt, the
governor says, that just provision for
the railroad man in case Of injury, or
for those dependent upon him in the
event of his death, would afford a cOIl-
sideration that would increase the
efficiency of the service and rebound
to the benefit of the travelling public,
in addition to being a proper exercise
of simple justice to a worthy class Of
citizens.
According to the estimates Of the
engineers, upon the plans and specifi-
cations made for completing the light
ing of the capitol building grounds, it
would require an additional apprOpria-
ton of $4,000 In addition to this,
if the legislature would appropriate
81, 800 the executive residence could be
connected with the capitol lighting
plant and lighted from this same
power without any appceciable extra
cost.
The governor recommends that the
law be so changed that the owner may
hunt upon his own premises without
the payment of any license fee; that
legislation for cities be restricted; that
the natural history survey be further
encouraged; and that a new limitation
upon city Indebtedness, and perhaps
upon the amount of tax levy
permitted by law, be provided,