Rock Island Argus., 1903-01-07

conduct of affairs in the other state IN
stitutions and makes recommendations.
On the subject of the education of the
people he says:
The Public Schools.
Legislation affecting the public
school system is always important. Ac-
cording to the latest school census
there are in Illinois 1.601.175 persons
of lawful school age-that is. between
the ages of and 81 years. OF this to-
tai number nearly one million were
actually enrolled in the public schools
last year. The schools are kept open
an averageof 7.6months, or nearly two
months in excess of the minimum time
required by law. The total number of
teachers and supervisors employed
was 27, 1856. OF these 12,475 were in the
ungraded or one-room schools. The
buildings and grounds used for public
school purposes are worth SOL, ,444, ,902;
while the apparatus and libraries are
valued at $1,320,020. There is total
of 1855 schools in the state. There
are $50 high schools, this number in
Guiding twenty-four township schools.
These high schools enrolled 1881 pu-
pills, employed 1,oU6 Ieacners, ana cost
for maintenance S1,50O,000. Eighty
eight of the high schools are in Separ-
o te buildings valued at more than $4,-
100000. 4 he resources are the income
from the township funds, the annual
appropriation of 100000 in lieu of the
old 2-mill tax, and the amounts raised
by district taxation. The latter in
1902 amounted to $1S.062 572.90. The
aggregate expenditures were $19,S99,-
624.54.
These statistics show impressively
the extent and Importance of the pub
lie school system of this state. The
great mass of our citizens have Sc
cured their education, so far as schools
have furnished it. I'm the common
schools of Illinois. The common
school is the college of the people. 1t
is exceedingly gratifying to contem-
plate our public school system. Such
thing as total illiterarcy among per-
sons of school age is practically un-
known in Illinois.
Regarding school legislation general
Iy. 1 trust that whatever recommenda-
tions may be made by Professor AL
fred Payliss, superintendent of public
instruction, who is the able head of
our public school system. will receive
the consideration which is due him by
reason of his present position, his past
experience. and his acknowledged abili-
ty. l will take this opportunity to
say, however, that l favor n reason
able increase of the amount appro-
priated annually for distribution to the
school districts. This sum has re-
mained at S1.000,0OO for many years,
in spite of the fact that the state has
grown wonderfully in population, and
resources and wealth. In many dis
tricts 1t is not possible, within the linn
its of taxation permitted by law, to
raise money sufficient to maintain the
schools for the length of time required
to entitle them to their share of this
fund. Since the 2-mill tax was re
placed by the milIiOn-dollar levy school
has doubled. If the amount
by the state were increased
and if the distribution were made in
such a way as to stimulate local enter
prise and liberality great benefit to the
schools would be the inevitable and
Oenefcent result.
Time and experience are demonstrate
ng that the general assembly has
no error in the provisions
heretofore made for the creation and
of state normal schools.
1t is estimated that of the public
school teachers employed in Illinois
asst year about 1000 were normal
school graduates and that more than
1000 others bad been normal school
students. Provision should be made
'or the more complete recognition of
he value and Importance of a nor
nal school training. State normal |
school diplomas should be licenses to |
each in any county of the state for a |
limited time, and upon private evidence |
# satisfactory work they should be |
converted into perpetual licenses. 1 |
recommend such legislation.
The State University.
The State university has the magni- |
ude and capabilities and prospects of |
wonderful institution. The attend
nee at this time is 5000. The faculty
s strong and capable. The buildings
lready in use are spacious and impos-
ng in nearly every instance. Addi-
ional buildings will have to be erect
d. The institution is now one to be
most proud of and no backward steps
must be taken. Illinois having entered
he arena wherein rivalry for SUI
remacy among state universities ex-
SITS cannot stop until its university is
he equal in every particular of such
Institutions as that of the state of
Iichigan, at Ann Arbor, for example.
.dequate appropriations should by all
leans be provided.
he Railroad and Warehouse Com mission.
The first report of the railroad and
Tarehouse commission, which was for
ne year ending June 80, 1871, showed
total mileage of all railroad tracks,
single and double main, side
'acks, etc, of 5,O26 1.5 miles, while the
'tal number of tons of freight car
ed was 5,936.966. The report for the