The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1903-01-16

and make more effective our rural schools
This is proper. for in these schools more
than Is per cent of the children receive
the only education that they will ever OBJ
tain to fit them for the duties or citi-
Our great university ranks as one of
the foremost institutions of that charac-
ter in America. Its growth has been
mateS and It's IS ns est
increasing. 1t has nearly four thousand
students. But it is not only great in
numbers, for with its efficient president
standard of scholarship is not surpassed
by any of the leading educational insti-
tutions OF the country.
National Guard.
The system Of inspecting the national
guard In camp. inaugurated last year,
mas aroused more interest in the perform
ance Of duty and induced better attend
ance, entailing, however, an increase in
the cost of encampments. Necessary i'm
prOvements and additional buildings au-
thorized by the legislature, have been
erected on the camp grounds; rifle prac-
tice has also been stimulated by more
nance on the part Of the federal govern
ment. But the expense at these camps
of advanced rifle practice and the main
tenance of buildings on the camp grounds
has been betrayed entirely from the nation
al guard fund proper, and threatens to
seriously impair the efficiency Of the SER
vice unless the legislature makes provis-
ion for this increased attendance at the
camp. for the maintenance of the build
mgs on the grounds, and for the neces-
sary rifle practice.
Forestry.
While our country excels in many
branches of industry, it is outstripped by
many other nations in the care and de-
velopment of its forests. The value of
the forests as actual wealth. their useful
ness In giving increased water supply:'
beauty Of the landscape and their health
giving qualities need not be argued, but
only mentioned.
Everyone recognizes the great necessity
of procuring forest areas in our state.
The very fact that nature has been so
bountiful seems to have encouraged
WastefulneSs.
Minnesota can justly claim great cred
1t among her sister states for what she
has done to preserve her forests and en-
courage development. Bounties have
courage tree planting on the prairies and
nearly 100000 has been thus wisely ex-
pended. For eight years a system for
the prevention of forest fires has been in
During this period while disastrous forest
fires have occurred in other states Min
nesota has wholly escaped.
The establishment of q forest reserve
of two hundred thousand acres on the
Chippewa Reservation is to be COM
mended, and SO should any measure
other parks and reserves.
1t is estimated that there are now about
thirty billion feet of standing pine timber
within the state, nearly all Of which is in
marketed within the next fifteen years.
After this time we will have to ship in
our lumber from other states or coun-
tries, unless we show a wise foresight
and thus make our state independent of
outside supply and save to our people
very important industry. There is a large
a part Of which will in twenty years if
preserved from fire, contribute to the lum-
Der supply, and If proper steps are now
tax our forest areas can be replenished
and preserved so as to completely supply
the people of our state with lumber.
Good Roads.
No argument is necessary to prove that
the prosperity and welfare of a people is
vastly improved by a perfected system of
highways. Good roads not only add
value to every acre of land in their vi
entity, but they also lessen isolation, so
undesirable in rural life, by bringing
people into closer social relations. The
pecuniary. benefits are also marked, for
good roads lessen the expense of reach
ing the markets and railway stations
with the products of the farm. Fully 80
have to pass over our highways. Good
roads have their decided effect upon the
establishment OF rural free delivery
routes. Where roads are good the. free
The postmaster general Of the United
States is reported to have said:
AT present we are only installing the
when application is made for rural de-
livery we send an inspector to look
the territory over. Particular attention
chances are just SO much in favor of the
system; but if the roads are clay, wet
and muddy most Of the time, that settles
1t right there. We have~got to have
dc fnr hn of hn
ent time"
The national government fully realiz-
ing the Importance of the question, has
ment and is doing all that it can to as
sist the people in establishing good
roads. and at great expense has fitted out
scientific experts are giving practical
lessons in roadbuilding throughout the
United States.
vicl<sburg Commission.
The legislature of 1902 passed an act for
the appointment of four commissioners
Ito cooperate with the national park
commission in ascertaining and exactly
determining the positions of Minnesota
troops and organizations in the siege of
Vicksburg, and also to recommend to
quent legislation as will, in the opinion
suitably mark the position of such troops
crate the vaIor and services of Mime
sofa soldiers in the campaign and siege
of Vicksburg."
The commission was composed Of the
following gentlemen: General John B.
Sanborn, General L. F. Hubbard, Cen
eral G. G. Andrews, and Captain Henry
8. Hunter,-a representative of each
Minnesota regiment and of the battery
engaged in the battles in the vicinity Of
These gentlemen met July eth, in
Vicksburg and organized by electing
General Sanborn president and General
Andrews, secretary. After a careful
survey Of the field and personal ex-
animation Of the park, the positions were
located.
The New Capitol.
The work on our new capitol has not
progressed as rapidly as was anticipated.
1t was confidently expected that this leg
iSlature would assemble in the new
building, and that the sum appropriated
by the last legislature would be sufti-
cient to complete the structure. While
the work has progressed as rapidly as
possible under the circumstances, it will
take eighteen months more to complete
it and the amount of money necessary to
do the work as suggested by the COM
mission will amount to $1,500,000 This in
occupancy, and also the purchase price
of the necessary piece Of real estate at
the southeast corner of the present site.
There are many reasons for the delay
and the increased expense; for the exact
information and data I refer you to the
report of the commission. Prices OF la
Dor and material have greatly advanced:
contractors having plenty of work were
slow to bid. thus lessening competition,